Activities that provide mental, emotional, and physical stimulation are essential for seniors with Alzheimer’s because they can slow the progression of the disease. You should choose activities based on your elderly loved one’s abilities and preferences. Continue reading to find positive everyday activities your parent with Alzheimer’s can add to his or her routine.
1. Baking
Cooking can engage the senses and reduce agitation. Encouraging your loved one to prepare family recipes can also stir memories. The activity could spark conversations between you and your loved one and provide a sense of security.
A professional caregiver can help your loved one work in the kitchen safely. Families looking for top-rated home care service providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
2. Painting or Coloring
Even when cognitive decline prevents seniors from having conversations with family and friends, art can stimulate creativity and provide another outlet for communication. Painting and coloring can also trigger dormant memories. The freedom that comes with creativity could boost your loved one’s confidence and encourage him or her to try out other activities.
3. Reading
Seniors with Alzheimer’s need to continue doing their favorite hobbies even as the disease progresses and they lose some of their abilities. Interests like reading may be more challenging due to the cognitive decline and memory problems associated with the condition, but there are ways seniors can continue enjoying literature. For instance, your loved one can purchase audiobooks and follow along while reading his or her favorite novels. In the later stages of the disease, your parent could also take advantage of adult picture books designed for seniors with cognitive issues.
4. Listening to Music
Listening to music can stimulate memory and enhance mood. Music memory is generally unaffected by the disease, meaning your loved one may remember specific songs but have difficulty recognizing familiar people and objects. Listening to music or playing an instrument could trigger memories during various stages of the disease.
5. Doing Household Chores
Organizing the office, folding laundry, and wiping down counters and tables are some of the tasks your loved one can do around the home. These meaningful activities can boost your loved one’s self-esteem and encourage him or her to take on more. To reduce the risk of agitation, customize the household chores based on your loved one’s current abilities.
If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s, having a trained professional caregiver close by can provide you and your family with much-needed peace of mind. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide senior care. Victoria families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
6. Working Crossword Puzzles
Doing brain games can challenge your parent and boost his or her self-esteem. When choosing crossword puzzles, select problems your loved one can solve instead of puzzles that are difficult to complete. The activity should be fun and stimulating, not frustrating or unpleasant.
7. Dancing
Staying physically active could keep your loved one’s heart, joints, and muscles in good shape. Exercise also leads to healthier sleeping habits, which is essential for seniors living with Alzheimer’s. Your parent should take on physical activities he or she can enjoy, such as dancing, which could involve dancing at home or taking a senior-friendly class in the community.
Aging adults with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from receiving professional Alzheimer’s care. Victoria seniors need regular mental stimulation when managing memory-related conditions, and a reliable in-home caregiver who has extensive training in Alzheimer’s care can be a great asset. Call Home Care Assistance today at (250) 592-4881 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.