When planning activities for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to keep his or her mental capabilities and personal preferences in mind. Ideally, you should focus on activities that are enjoyable and beneficial in some way. Here are seven activities that can achieve both of these goals for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.
1. Painting
Painting is good for seniors with Alzheimer’s because it can be relaxing while also helping with fine motor skills and creative thinking. What’s also great about painting is that it can be a fun way to ease stress, even if your loved one is simply using finger paints or watercolors.
2. Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking is a good memory-boosting and time-filling activity because of the many ways scrapbooks can be personalized. For instance, your loved one can have a scrapbook full of magazine clippings or computer-printed images related to celebrities, movies, or activities he or she likes. Personal photos can be included as well, since they can also serve as a starting point for related stories or memories.
3. Doing Other Craft-Related Projects
Focus on craft projects based on what your loved one enjoyed in the past. For example, if you know your loved one used to sew but no longer has the dexterity to do it, suggest easier no-sew crafts that involve using fabric glue or wrapping or twisting fabric or cloth. Such projects are often beneficial because they can boost mood and help with attention and focus.
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 elderly home care. Mississauga 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.
4. Gardening
Gardening is a fun, productive activity for seniors with Alzheimer’s, and it can have a tasty, nutritious payoff if your loved one prefers to have a vegetable or herb garden. If this is the case, the fresh results can be used to make meals with brain-friendly nutrients. Even a small window box for flowers can give your loved one something fragrant and visually appealing to enjoy.
5. Cooking/Baking
Having Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t mean your loved one has to stay out of the kitchen if that’s where he or she has always preferred to spend time. With the right supervision, assistance, and precautionary measures, cooking and baking can still be activities your loved one enjoys. For example, you might have him or her sit at the table and mix ingredients in a bowl or fill a baking sheet as you handle preheating the oven and similar tasks. Along with having a tasty payoff, activities involving food present opportunities to:
• Bond and socialize
• Maintain coordination and dexterity
• Enhance memory and recall skills by following simple recipes
A professional caregiver can help your loved one work in the kitchen safely. Families looking for top-rated senior home care 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.
6. Doing Puzzles & Games
Puzzles and games have the potential to be beneficial in many ways for seniors with Alzheimer’s. For instance, traditional jigsaw puzzles can help with recall and hand-eye coordination. Simple games like Bingo and Go Fish can also provide added brain stimulation, and so can app-based games designed with senior users in mind.
7. Engaging in Music-Based Activities
In 2018, Toronto scientists published a study suggesting music could give people with Alzheimer’s a cognitive boost. Fortunately, there are plenty of music-based activities seniors with Alzheimer’s can enjoy, including sing-alongs and playing easy-to-use instruments like drums or bongos. An app called SingFit can also be used for home-based music therapy.
Aging adults with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from receiving professional Alzheimer’s care. Mississauga 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. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional home care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at 905-337-1200.