Dementia is progressive. Your loved one who suffers from it may require different levels of care depending on the stage of dementia. You can develop some habits and strategies that will better enable your family member to enjoy quality of life, despite the challenges that dementia can present.
According to the National Institute on Aging, “Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It includes the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, learning, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to the extent that it interferes with a person’s quality of life and activities.”
Thankfully, family members of those who suffer from dementia can do things that help their loved ones. There are ways to cope with this condition and even help your loved one continue enjoying daily life.
Indoor Activities
Dementia patients need to keep their minds active. Many indoor activities are conducive to this. According to The Alzheimer’s Association, one indoor activity that patients with dementia can participate in is looking at family photo albums. This can help them remember people who have passed on and, more importantly, those who are still living. Looking at family photos can jog pleasant and happy memories and bring much satisfaction to your loved one.
Another suitable indoor activity to keep dementia patients’ minds active is playing games. Board games such as dominos or checkers can help with hand-eye coordination and cognitive skills. Putting together a puzzle is an excellent memory game. Card games, especially those the patient is familiar with, can also be a fun way to spend time with friends and family.
Reading is a pastime that people can learn to love in their later years. Dementia patients are no exception. Reading a book, magazines, or even the newspaper can sharpen the mind in ways that many activities cannot duplicate.
Getting Outside
When weather permits, spending time outdoors has therapeutic benefits for anyone, including dementia patients. Your loved one may require help getting outdoors, but many activities are appropriate for a patient’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
In addition, exercise can help dementia patients as well. According to Jonathan Graff-Radford, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic, “It also appears that regular physical activity benefits the brain. Studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function.”
Taking a short walk can be invigorating and pleasant. This can happen around the patient’s home or care center. If possible, a family member can take the patient to a nearby park to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. More physically able dementia patients may enjoy playing horseshoes, raking leaves, or even catching and throwing a ball. A picnic on a nice day could be a great way to spend time with loved ones.
Fortunately, caregivers of dementia patients can help their loved ones enjoy a higher quality of life through multiple avenues. In that way, they can ensure their loved ones with dementia enjoy some of these activities on a regular basis. This is one of the reasons Grand Brook Memory Care incorporates many of these enrichment activities into the daily schedule for our residents.
