Dementia can be complicated, and for many caregivers, it can be difficult to constantly think of new activities to keep your loved one engaged. However, engaging and stimulating activities are crucial for their overall well-being and can be more rewarding than you may think. They’re key to supporting a loved one with dementia.
Some engaging activities for seniors include:
- Cognitive training
- Tactile activities
- Physical exercise
- Reminiscence therapy
- Stimulating entertainment
Cognitive Training
Dementia is more complex than most people think at first. This neurodegenerative condition steadily damages brain cells, leading to memory loss, communication difficulties, and changes in behavior.
However, cognitive training can make a significant difference. Think of the brain like a muscle; the more it’s used, the stronger it becomes. For older adults in the earlier stages of dementia, cognitive training is a valuable tool that can fend off worsening symptoms for longer.
A few ideas for cognitive training activities include:
- Word games, like crossword puzzles, word searches, and Scrabble
- Memory exercises, like matching games and spot-the-difference pictures
- Writing, story-telling, and story challenges
- Problem-solving activities, like Sodoku and jigsaw puzzles
These are excellent for keeping your loved one’s mind engaged while improving their overall mood. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon that offers plenty of cognitive benefits!
Tactile Activities
As dementia progresses, it begins affecting motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and your loved one’s more precise movements. Tactile activities—any activity that stimulates the sense of touch—can be an excellent way to address these changes.
These activities don’t just utilize the sense of touch—they offer a repetitive motion that can be calming, meditative, and familiar. So encourage your loved one to try:
- Knitting
- Clay modeling
- Painting
- Arts and crafts
- Gardening
It can also help to create your own games that focus primarily on the sense of touch. You can bring different fabrics and materials together and cut them into strips, then have your loved one try to identify which is which. This can challenge their memory while stimulating the tactile senses, offering several benefits at once!
Physical Exercise
Physical exercise is vital for an older adult’s overall health, but it often goes overlooked when cognitive decline is at play. It’s crucial for your loved one’s overall well-being and offers an easy way to maintain mobility, mood, and health in general.
Simple activities, like stretches or walking, can easily be worked into a daily routine. Recommend your loved one to try:
- Chair exercises: These can include seated leg lifts and arm raises.
- Light aerobics: These focus on gentle movements to increase heart rate without overexertion.
- Dancing: This can be both fun and beneficial for coordination and rhythm.
- Walks in nature: This allows for enjoying fresh air and beautiful surroundings.
- Balance exercises: These help enhance stability. Try standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe.
These can all have significant physical and cognitive benefits for your loved one. Regular exercise is more important than you think!
Reminiscence Therapy
Reminiscence therapy involves recalling and discussing past experiences and can be highly beneficial for those experiencing dementia or any other kind of memory impairment. This therapy aims to strengthen your loved one’s connections to their identity while improving their memory and recall.
Try looking through old photo albums together or listening to stories about their past experiences. This lets your loved one reconnect with their past and share meaningful stories that define who they are. Listening to music, like songs they used to love, can also be a wonderful way to transport you both back to the past.
Meanwhile, this is a way for you to learn more about your loved one. Take the time to be patient and let them share their thoughts and feelings—you never know what information you can learn about your loved one!
Stimulating Entertainment
Sometimes, we all need a little entertainment. Stimulating and entertaining activities can make a significant difference for older adults with dementia. Entertainment is a powerful tool that can boost emotional well-being and overall quality of life.
Next time you visit your loved one, try to:
- Watch classic movies and television shows. These can spark memories while letting you bond over something your loved one enjoys.
- Engage in interactive storytelling. Use picture books or simple story prompts to create a narrative together, encouraging imagination and participation.
- Do puzzles or brain-teasers. Choose large-piece jigsaw puzzles or simple brain games that provide a sense of accomplishment when completed.
These activities are a stimulating way to spend an afternoon and give you a way to bond with your loved one with a fun, engaging activity. Try to switch it up where you can to keep things more exciting!
A Holistic Approach to Wellness
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, it’s essential to support them however you can. With these diverse and engaging activities, you can spend your time with your loved one in a way that makes a difference.
At The Ridge at Grandeview, we believe in making a difference every day. We’re here to support your family through this journey, so book a tour with us today. Let’s work together to give your loved one a community that truly understands.
