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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.

A great way to stimulate the mind and encourage activity is through painting, drawing and the use of a non-toxic or child friendly soft dough. Allowing Dementia patients to exercise their freedom and to enjoy the strokes and colors of art therapy can assist in engaging them visually and physically. The pliable textures of play dough and creation of objects provide superior engagement and stimulation.

Play music that your parents or grandparents may have cherished and encourage them to sing along. Playing the music from artists from their childhood or family event triggers fond memories and helps them hold onto aspects of their lives that bring happiness and enrichment. Singing is also a great cognitive activity providing mental stimulation and hours of enjoyment.

Music is also a great way to encourage dance and help improve general mobility when the body is not longer as mobile. Simple actions including clapping to a beat or slowly swaying the body will support muscle operation and maintaining concentration. It is also a relaxing approach as the body produces the feel good, endorphins, helping the body to experience a better quality of life.

Puzzles with large shapes that are fit into a board are introduced to young children to stimulate their visual and intellectual processes. Adults affected by Dementia can experience similar benefits by completing these styles of puzzles with large shapes and pieces making it easier to move and position The larger items can minimize constraints and help complete the task with minimal frustration.

Introduce your affected relative to friendly pets in a safe and a therapeutic environment. All stages of Dementia can benefit from the ability to interact with a loving dog or stroke a cat bringing a sense of peace and happiness. If you are going to use pet therapy, ensure individuals are calm and pets trained to work with people.

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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