5 Beneficial Activities for Seniors with Dementia

Coping with the onset and advancement of dementia in your loved one comes with many questions. You may wonder what is best and how to encourage your loved one with the different stages of dementia they experience. Impaired cognitive abilities often lead to decreased memory loss and increased confusion in daily activities. Someone with dementia may have difficulty communicating properly and expressing what they need in terms of meaningful activities in their lives.

The following activities for seniors with dementia are intended to be both meaningful and beneficial. Loved ones of dementia patients are encouraged to support them with these types of activities. Doing so helps raise their quality of life through practical and easy-to-do activities.

Meaningful Activities that Benefit Seniors with Dementia

Keep in mind that, with all of the activities suggested below, remember to always remain sensitive to how your loved one is feeling at the moment. For example, it’s best to choose calm and relaxing activities if they are feeling tired or irritable.

You also want to select activities with your loved one that are centered around their success. Dementia patients are prone to feeling frustrated easily. Therefore, it’s important to choose activities that are easy to understand, follow along with and be successful in.

These are just a few of the many meaningful and beneficial activities you can take part in. Whatever you decide to do always remain sensitive to how your loved one is expressing themself. You want activities to be cognitively stimulating while frustration-free.

1. Start a Gardening Project Together

Starting a simple garden together is a great idea to create a positive experience and enjoy a meaningful activity together. Not only do they get sunshine and fresh air but your loved one will enjoy the social interaction and watching their garden grow, no matter how small and simple.

2. Play Music and Dance

Music and dance are a wonderful combination when looking for activities for someone with dementia. Music helps stimulate memory recognition while dancing. Using simple steps and soft movements engages the sensory stimulation that dementia patients need.

3. Create a Texture Board

Creating a texture board is a fun way to collect a variety of different materials with unique textures to feel. Sensory activities are important for dementia patients. Taking time to feel the various textures on the board provides sensory stimulation and can help spark positive memories.

For example, soft fur-like material can invoke fond memories of pets and animals. The creative possibilities for textures are endless. You can use snippets of silk, wool, linen, burlap, wooden beads, Play-Doh, bubble wrap, etc

4. Start a Memory Box

Pick out a special box to hold items and photos that carry positive memories and experiences. You can spend time going through the items in your memory box while laughing and smiling together as you reminisce on those good times in life. This cognitive activity also helps strengthen memory connections in the brain.

5. Work on Puzzles Together

Puzzles are not only a great way to help strengthen memory capabilities, but doing them together gives your loved one social time and positive reinforcement as you work together.

Some of the puzzles you can do include:

Jigsaw puzzles
Brain teasers
Tongue twisters
Mazes
Word puzzles
Large children’s puzzles for shapes and colors

Supporting your loved one suffering from dementia is easier to do than you might think. The smallest effort on your part goes a long way. Adding value to their quality of life is something that is truly unforgettable.

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South Coast Post Acute is here for you, at any age. Our innovative care, experienced staff, and welcoming accommodations combine to bring you the high level of care you’ve come to expect from Southern California’s leading post-acute provider.