Living with dementia can cause seniors to withdraw from normal activities, but it’s important for them to maintain their interests. Staying active can stir memories, boost self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and lead to better moods. However, it’s also vital to make sure the activities they engage in are safe to perform. Here are a few fun and safe activities seniors with dementia can enjoy.
1. Scrapbooking
Create a scrapbook from old family photos your loved one has at home. You can also take photos and clippings from your loved one’s favorite sports team to create a scrapbook that pertains to his or her interests. This is a safe activity that helps seniors use their creative thinking skills and recall special people who played important roles in their lives. Scrapbooking also helps seniors socialize, which could lead to more happiness and less stress or anxiety.
Creating scrapbooks is one of the many ways seniors can boost their health and enjoy a high quality of life. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care service. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Working on Puzzles
Piecing together puzzles is a great exercise for seniors with dementia. It’s important for seniors to participate in safe activities that stimulate their cognitive function, which is exactly what solving puzzles does. Putting a puzzle together could increase your loved one’s memory and visual perception and facilitate interactions with others, which is something seniors with dementia generally have difficulty doing. Working on puzzles gives family caregivers and friends a unique way to connect with their loved ones.
3. Reading
Reading books is a great activity for seniors with dementia, and building a small home library could make this activity more interesting and interactive. All you need is a small bookshelf and some books. Your loved one can use the books he or she already owns, or you can search online for his or her favorite novels. Reading is a great way to boost memory and thinking skills. As your loved one adds books to the collection, make sure you read the stories together. Collecting books from your parent’s childhood and young adult years may stir memories of literature that had a positive impact on your loved one’s life.
4. Baking Simple Recipes
If your loved one enjoyed cooking prior to developing dementia, encourage him or her to continue with this activity. Family caregivers can create lists of simple recipes for their loved ones to cook without overworking themselves. Most seniors with dementia get stressed or agitated at times, but baking is a great way for them to release stress. By modifying this activity, your loved one can continue to do what he or she enjoys without compromising his or her safety.
Seniors with dementia or other types of cognitive decline may need assistance with cooking, baking, and other daily tasks. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care Auburn, AL, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
5. Painting
Self-expression is important for seniors, especially those living with dementia. Painting is a safe craft that allows seniors to be as creative as possible, and it can enhance communication skills, boost brain function, and lead to more social interaction. When seniors with dementia paint, their entire brains are stimulated. Check with local organizations to find out if they offer art programs for seniors with cognitive conditions such as dementia.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Auburn families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at (334) 744-7100 today.