Seniors with dementia need to take on more activities to boost their confidence, keep their brains active, and enjoy daily life. Although dementia could prevent your elderly parent from taking on the same hobbies he or she has in the past, you can customize each activity based on your loved one’s current health conditions and preferences. The objective is to keep your loved one physically and mentally active, which can increase his or her self-esteem and stave off the progression of dementia.
1. Joining a Book Group
If your loved one enjoyed reading before developing dementia, he or she can continue with this hobby after the diagnosis. Although seniors with dementia often become fatigued and lose focus more easily, most can retain their reading and writing abilities as dementia progresses. Enrolling your loved one in a dementia-friendly reading group can provide companionship while preserving his or her memory and language abilities for longer.
Seniors with dementia can optimize their quality of life with the help of highly trained, experienced professional caregivers. If your senior loved one needs professional dementia care, Fort Lauderdale caregivers are available around the clock to provide the high-quality care he or she needs. Dementia caregivers can help your loved one stay mentally engaged and delay the progression of the disease.
2. Swimming
Slowing the progression of dementia is essential for seniors, so family caregivers should look for activities that can do this, such as swimming. Each time your loved one gets into the water, his or her body releases neuroprotective proteins that boost memory and cognitive function. These proteins help neurons in the brain communicate with each other and develop new cell connections.
3. Creating a Photo Album
This pastime can trigger memories for an aging adult with dementia by providing companionship and mental and emotional engagement. Encourage younger family members to take up this activity with you and your loved one. Being around the grandkids could boost your loved one’s brain health. While reliving precious memories, your parent can create new memories that your children can cherish for years.
4. Gardening
Sensory experiences are excellent options for seniors with dementia, which makes gardening a great choice. The textures, smells, and tastes associated with this activity can trigger positive memories and reduce anxiety. You should simplify the projects your parent takes on and keep dangerous objects away from the garden.
Seniors with dementia often need assistance with everyday activities so they can age in place in safety and comfort. 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 Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of senior home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
5. Painting
Encouraging your loved one to paint can increase creativity, which keeps the brain active and healthy. Whether your parent is creating a drawing or coloring in a design, the activity could stimulate his or her brain’s plasticity and lead to increased connections between brain cells. In addition to painting, your loved one can take on other arts and crafts, such as knitting or making greeting cards.
6. Singing
Having sing-alongs at home and attending concerts are great activities for seniors with dementia. Incorporating these things into your loved one’s schedule could boost his or her cognitive function, mood, and overall behavior. The lyrics and melodies can elicit memories of your parent’s childhood and young adult years. Your parent’s ability to respond to the lyrics and beats can be preserved as his or her verbal communication decreases.
If your loved one is living with dementia, having a trained professional caregiver close by can provide you and your family with much-needed peace of mind. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. Fort Lauderdale families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at +1 754-900-5102.
