Once every 66 seconds, a new case of dementia disease is diagnosed in the United States. You may be asking what you can do to aid a family member who fits this description.
The write-up below suggests several ways to support a parent or loved one dealing with this condition. There are a variety of activities for dementia patients you can do to help your loved one keep their brain healthy. Think about trying out some of these top 4 activities for people with dementia.
Additionally, support groups are also a great way to help your loved one with dementia adjust to daily life.
Exercise for Memory-Related Disorders
Assist your loved one in engaging in daily physical activity, if they are able to do so. Results from studies indicate that regular aerobic exercise helps mitigate the disease’s symptoms and prolong survival.
Swimming and bicycling are two examples of aerobic exercises. Sometimes even just getting out for a brisk stroll may do the trick. Ensure that the level of activity is suitable for your loved one by asking them how much they can manage physically.
Puzzles and Games for the Mind
- In both dementia and Alzheimer’s, patients experience a deterioration in their mental functions. Sometimes they can have a hard time recalling things and could forget yesterday’s events.
- Their enthusiasm for their favorite pastimes may gradually wane. If they are feeling overwhelmed, they may avoid engaging in social interaction.
- Puzzles and other activities that require concentration and the ability to think critically help delay this decline. The critical thinking skills of elders can be exercised by solving puzzles and crosswords. A lot of games aimed at the older population incorporate elements that need strategic thinking or problem-solving.
- The benefits of playing memory games are particularly noteworthy. They maintain cognitive stimulation for your loved one.
- Playing games together can be a fun way to meet new people. Maintaining a regular schedule of social engagements is an excellent way to keep one’s speaking skills and mood in check.
Reading Books or Newspapers
- Most elderly people can also engage in the mentally stimulating pastime of reading. A person with Alzheimer’s may not remember or understand what they read depending on the progression of their disease. Reading is helpful, and asking questions about it can be instructive.
- Patients with Alzheimer’s disease can also benefit from social interaction fostered by reading the news. They can better utilize their creative functions as a result of their reading habits.
Therapeutic Music
- There has been a lot of research suggesting that music can help those with Alzheimer’s disease. Listening to music is a stimulating pastime, similar to reading or playing games.
- Perhaps your loved one has a talent for music, and they would enjoy playing an instrument or singing along with their favorite tunes. As a bonus, this gives them something to express their emotions and creativity while they recover. Some patients may even be able to recall happier times when listening to classic songs.
- Making music with others may be a lot of fun. If you are an older adult and are interested in music, you should see if there are any senior music programs in your region.
