ENGAGING ACTIVITIES FOR ELDERLY DEMENTIA PATIENTS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE
The challenges that dementia brings for those who are affected and their families can be fairly intense. However, the right activities can significantly upscale the brain health and quality of living especially for those who have been recently diagnosed with the condition. As one of the reputed aged care service providers in Sydney, we at OSAN Ability have been providing impeccable personalised support and services to the older adults with dementia and other health conditions. Through time and experience we have focused on different activities that can help support engagement and independence for the people living with dementia. To help your loved ones thrive, here is a detailed list of activities to cope with the challenges of dementia.
- Cooking and Baking: A Sensory Delight
Cooking and baking are two of the common activities that are fairly common for the individuals with dementia and fairly loved too. Such activities engage and stimulate the senses and can provide a comforting routine. While cooking your favourite family recipe can be nostalgic, as it may take you down memory lane, cooking in general is such an empowering feeling. With adequate meal preparation support in place, individuals with dementia can happily prepare meals nourishing not only their body but their soul too.
Including the family members during cooking sessions can add an extra bit of happiness. Cooking and eating together is a memorable bonding experience. You can check out easy, dementia-friendly recipes available online or books to engage your loved one easily.
- Gardening: Nature’s Therapy
Another great way to get older patients with dementia active is through gardening. Cultivating plants is a great stress relief activity from which a person with cognitive decline can get beneficial elements by experiencing less anxiety and stress. Your loved one can plant flowers, water houseplants, or even start a small garden of herbs or vegetables, depending upon their abilities.
Simultaneously, basking in nature, feeling the smooth soil with your fingertips, smelling fresh herbs, and looking at the flowers when they bloom can give them a salubrious experience. This interaction with the wild not only soothes their emotions, but also stimulates physical activity, thus positively adding to their health.
- Movement Activities: Keeping Active
For older adults, especially those with dementia, a key factor in maintaining good health is staying active. Rich scientific data demonstrating that an engaging brain is a healthier and can help slow cognitive decline and improve overall quality of life. A simple activity such as dancing, walking, or light exercise classes may be refreshing and fun.
Movement exercising does not have to be hard. This can begin with gentle exercises such as stretching or a simple walk to the end of the block. It is good to have companion as he/she will give you company, and such activities will offer a great deal of physical benefits.
- Arts and Crafts: Fostering Creativity
Arts and crafts provide a wonderful outlet for creativity and self-expression. Painting, knitting or scrapbooking are great activities that help by providing a sense of purpose. They can also give a sense of inclusion and being surrounded and thus it eases the feelings of loneliness and seclusion that dementia so frequently provokes.
Crafts can be modified easily to suit the ability level of your loved one. It can be simply engaging in an art project, or maybe flower arranging, – both provide a meaningful expression of inclusion through the activity along with increased brain function.
- Jigsaw Puzzles: A Shared Experience
Jigsaw puzzles can provide an engaging activity for people with dementia. They produce a feeling of accomplishment in the end and are also good for family and friends bonding. Being available in various range of size and difficulty levels, these can suit the need of your loved one best.
Solving puzzles together is a great way to spend time with family. Especially if you have grandchild in your home who likes solving puzzles too! Doing something together like this can help to provide some lovely memories and it is also a really good teamwork exercise. So, it’s a win-win activity.
- Brain Games: Keeping the Mind Sharp
Loosing memory is a common issue for people with dementia. There are brain games that can help in boosting memory and keeping the mind alert. One can engage in Real-time Games which are available in the internet and anyone can play them instantly.
There are a wide variety of games to play, like online brain training apps, crossword puzzles and sudoku. Inclusion of these games into your loved one’s daily regimen can not only be enjoyable and fun but they also can be great for their cognitive health.
- Reading: A Gateway to Imagination
Reading continues to be another effective activity for those with dementia (who can read). Whether it be reading your favourite novel, seeing what is on the local news, or more likely, checking up on a feed streaming in real-time. The activity of reading gives you something to keep the brain active and also gets your time to be passed. This is a better experience that can be done regularly by going to the library or subscribing to a newspaper.
Having books or newspapers delivered to people who find it difficult to get out helps to maintain their interest and also promote good health.
- Scrapbooking: A Personal Journey
Scrapbooking helps people with dementia stay active and strengthen family bonds. This easy-going hobby adapts to different skill levels so many people can enjoy it.
Making scrapbooks with photos, postcards, and keepsakes lets your loved one tell their life story. This can start talks during family visits and offer a nice way to look back on special memories.
When you add these activities to your loved one’s daily life, you’ll boost their life quality, get them more involved, and help them stay independent as long as they can.
Supporting Your Loved Ones with OSAN Ability
At OSAN Ability, we know how complex it can be to care for someone with dementia. Our cordial care workers want to help people live their best lives even when they are facing memory problems. If you need help with daily tasks, personalised supports or special dementia care, our team is ready to lend a hand.
Want to know more how we as a reputed aged care provider in Australia can help you and your loved ones? Just give us a call on 1300 799 941. We can work together to build a caring space that boosts freedom, happiness, and bonds for people with dementia. Let’s make every moment count with OSAN Ability.
