As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it may become more challenging to come up with activities to keep your senior loved one stimulated. However, many activities for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease also boost their physical and emotional health. Check out the following six exciting activities you can add to your loved one’s daily routine.
1. Listening to Music
Music has the ability to soothe agitation and transport a person’s mind to another place. Try playing some songs from your loved one’s past to stimulate memories, such as the music played at his or her wedding. Alternatively, you could play a new song to trigger connections between neural pathways in the brain. Some seniors also enjoy hearing the same song at specific times during the day to help them remember their daily routine.
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from professional in-home care. Barrie senior care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
2. Building a Memory Box
Memory boxes give seniors tactile objects they can hold to remember special moments from their past. To make a memory box, get a container and help your loved one find objects to keep inside. These objects can be simple things such as a scrap of fabric from a favorite dress or a pebble from the park. However, you may want to encourage your loved one to use items that stimulate the senses, such as a soft feather or a piece of card stock scented with a favorite perfume, to make this activity more effective at generating memories.
3. Walking Through a Garden
Spending time in nature helps seniors relax, and a walk through a garden also serves as an effective form of exercise. If you plan to take your loved one to a botanical garden, arrange for assistance if he or she has a tendency to wander. Getting out of the house may also lift your loved one’s spirits as he or she enjoys a change of scenery.
Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Barrie families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
4. Spending Time with Family
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease are at high risk for becoming isolated because they may no longer be able to reach out to others for social support. To prevent isolation, incorporate regular social events into your loved one’s routine. Keep in mind your loved one may feel overwhelmed at large events with multiple people. Instead, invite one or two family members over at a time, and encourage them to keep visits short so your loved one does not get overwhelmed.
5. Helping with Household Tasks
Many seniors with Alzheimer’s disease find organizational tasks relaxing. Whether your loved one enjoys folding towels or organizing the silverware drawer, these activities provide a sense of purpose and order. Try to plan activities each day that allow your loved one to help. From reorganizing a drawer to color coding clothes in the closet, your loved one benefits from being an active member of the family.
6. Painting Pictures
In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, your loved one may no longer be able to follow the complicated steps required for crafting. However, painting allows your loved one to express him or herself freely without following any confusing rules. Set your loved one up with an easel and some paints, and watch as he or she relaxes while creating something new.
Alzheimer’s disease can impact your loved one’s health, mobility, and independence. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a Barrie home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. To create a customized in-home care plan for your aging loved one, call us at 647-970-3803 today.