Thursday, September 28, 2017

The Best Dementia Activities For Seniors

By Frank Lee


A diagnosis of Dementia in loved ones can be devastating and witnessing their gradual decline can take its toll, but introducing games and strategies that offer meaning and value can relieve much of the stress patients and relatives experience. Learning of Dementia activities for seniors can help you better engage with loved ones who are ailing. The purpose is to keep individuals connected to reality for as long as possible.

Dementia can have a negative impact on health, but keeping mobility up during the early stages helps strengthen the body against muscle wastage and weakness. If individuals enjoy the outdoors, hobbies including a short walk through the park or garden can encourage health and happiness. Allowing individuals to pant seeds and grow flowers in small pots that are easy to manage on a daily basis.

The focus of these styles of activities should be on mental clarity, engagement and the ability to have fun, best achieved through art therapy. The ability to draw using crayons, paint or manipulate soft dough can stimulate tactile and sensory functions with visual appeal. Using dough and paint is also creative and provides individuals the chance to freely express themselves.

Introduce music and songs that your loved one enjoyed listening to and sing with them to create a happy and stimulating environment. Recall artists or tracks they enjoyed as a child or teen in the home and encourage fond memories or dance they used to perform. Getting individuals to sing with you or supporting them in song helps ease agitation and delivers a strong memory connection.

Music is not only a suitable way to encourage participation and attention, but it is also entertaining and can provide exercise opportunities. Dancing, getting senior parents to move their arms and bodies or clap along facilitating motor movement and muscle strength. Such actions promote the release of endorphins, a natural feel good hormone for a healthier, happier state of being.

The performance of puzzles designed for smaller children including the larger shapes to place in boards can prove beneficial for adults with Dementia. These puzzles are simple to use and the larger shapes offer visual and cognitive stimulation. Do not use tiny puzzle pieces with hundreds of bits as it is frustrating to apply and can increase the experience of stress and boredom.

Pets can play a significant role in helping Dementia patients in their journey and support a happier and healthier lifestyle. Service dogs and therapy pets from rabbits to cats and dogs are stroked and interacted with by ailing persons to help them find satisfaction and connections with the real world. It can help prevent much of the stressful symptoms that such patients experience.

The performance of activities from painting to reading loved ones stories to making baked goods together will encourage happiness and the ability to connect with reality. Dementia is a debilitating illness, but introducing enjoyable actions and programs can minimize the devastating symptoms that many people suffer from. The necessary care efforts can help prevent the limitations and problems that compromise quality of life.




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