Alzheimer’s disease slowly affects a senior’s abilities to the point it eventually becomes necessary to modify daily activities. However, this doesn’t mean your senior loved one can’t still have fun. In fact, many of your loved one’s favorite activities can be modified to fit his or her changing abilities. Consider adding these safe activities to your loved one’s daily schedule to help him or her stay stimulated.
1. Enjoy a Simple Craft
Arts and crafts projects are relaxing, and they can stimulate your loved one to use his or her creativity. Think about some of the crafts your loved one enjoys, and find ways to simplify them to fit his or her needs. For instance, you could try a string art craft if your loved one enjoyed working with yarn before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Researching different mentally stimulating activities and making the necessary arrangements for seniors can be an overwhelming task. If you are the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality at-home care, Rhode Island Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
2. Go for a Nature Walk
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease benefit from spending time outdoors where the relaxing colors and sounds of nature provide a calming effect. If your loved one is at risk for wandering, simply take him or her outside to explore nature in the backyard. Alternatively, you can arrange for a professional caregiver to venture out with your loved one to the community park.
If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Rhode Island Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
3. Put Together a Photo Album
Give your loved one a camera, and encourage him or her to take pictures throughout the day of the things he or she enjoys. Then, have the photos printed and help your loved one put together a photo album. This activity stimulates memory retention, and it may provide insight into the things that bring meaning to your loved one’s day. You can also keep this activity ongoing to fill in the hours when your loved one is especially restless or bored.
4. Play a Video Game
There are many video games available that are great for enhancing memory retention and reasoning. Choose simple games that can be completed in a short sitting so your loved one does not get frustrated. Alternatively, you can check out online games for seniors that are designed specifically for brain training purposes.
5. Start a Garden
Gardening is a relaxing pursuit you can easily modify depending upon your loved one’s interests. For instance, you could start a small window sill herb garden if your loved one tends to get anxious outdoors, or you could fill the backyard with delicious fruit and vegetable plants he or she can harvest for a nutritional boost at mealtime.
6. Cook with a Family Member or Caregiver
Many seniors love cooking, but they give it up once Alzheimer’s places them at risk for starting a fire. Help your loved one continue to enjoy this activity and stay safe by implementing a few strategies. For example, you can install automatic shut off switches on appliances, or you can have a caregiver stop by to assist with cooking during meal times. Either way, preserving your loved one’s ability to cook promotes healthier eating and independence.
Professional caregivers can help seniors stimulate their minds and age in the comfort of their homes. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated home care agency. Rhode Island Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services. To learn about our high-quality senior care plans, give us a call at (401) 284-0979 today.