10 Activities Perfect For Patients With Alzheimer's
Posted: 08.06.2015As memory declines, so does attention span. This means that the activities a senior once enjoyed may no longer be a good fit. If you’re searching for activities suitable for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, take a look at the suggestions below, which were inspired by the Alzheimer’s Association.
Activity #1: Music
Many musical activities may be suitable. Listening to beautiful music or singing songs can be fun. Also consider giving seniors an instrument they used to play because the memory of how to play may still be there.
Activity #2: Play With Pets
Many senior facilities have a resident or visiting cat or dog that has the temperament required for seniors with memory loss. Spending time with these pets is not only an excellent activity, but provides seniors with a sense of connection.
Activity #3: Count
Just about anything can be counted. You could count the number of plants in the room, birds in the trees, or how many people are in the room. Even if the counting is not always 100-percent accurate, this is an excellent way to pass time.
Activity #4: Sort
Sorting is another excellent activity. You could sort socks, poker chips, coins, or any other item that can be matched or paired. No real end goal needs to be achieved other than providing your senior with mental stimulation.
Activity #5: Look Through Photos
Looking through photos can trigger senior’s memories, but that is not necessarily the goal. Together, you can remark on how beautiful the photos are, how happy the people in the photos look, or you can find your favorite thing about each picture.
Activity #6: Create A Collage
Cutting out pictures from magazines and creating a collage is an excellent 2-part activity for seniors with Alzheimer’s. You could also do other 1 or 2-step art and craft projects.
Activity #7: Color
Coloring can be quite fun, and you can even find coloring books designed specifically for seniors.
Activity #8: Watch Sesame Street
Sesame Street is broken into smaller segments, which is perfect for shorter attention spans. On top of that, the show is educational and fun.
Activity #9: Feed The Birds Or Ducks
If you’re looking for an outdoor activity, feeding the birds or ducks is perfect. Just make sure you know which kind of bird food to purchase.
Activity #10: Work On A Puzzle
Puzzles are great because they can be purchased in many different levels of difficulty. You can find puzzles that are 10-pieces or less for seniors with advanced cognitive decline, or select puzzles that are a bit more advanced for seniors who have only Stage 1 Alzheimer’s.
Not all of the activities above will be suitable for all seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, so keep trying until you find the perfect fit.
Published by: SeniorCare.Jobs Editorial Team
Author: Joanne Silatei
Date: 8/6/2015