Medical research shows that thinking skills are less likely to decrease following a dementia diagnosis if seniors continue to challenge their cognitive abilities. Some experts also believe stimulating activities can slow the progression of dementia and mitigate some of its symptoms. If your aging loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, you might want to suggest a few brain-boosting activities that could enhance his or her memory and reasoning skills.
1. Memorizing the Lyrics to Favorite Songs
Committing something to memory is one of the best ways to create new synapses in the brain. Instead of memorizing boring facts through repetition, your loved one can have fun learning the lyrics to his or her favorite songs. As an added bonus, some studies have shown that listening to relaxing music can boost mood by unlocking old memories. Music can also alleviate anxiety, irritability, and depression.
Seniors with dementia can optimize their quality of life with the help of highly trained, experienced professional caregivers. If your senior loved one needs professional dementia care, Waterloo caregivers are available around the clock to provide the high-quality care he or she needs. Using the revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, dementia caregivers can help your loved one stay mentally engaged and delay the progression of the disease.
2. Playing Video Games
According to a 2017 study published in PLOS One, playing video games can trigger the production of healthy new brain cells. In the earliest stages of dementia, seniors should be able to play a variety of 3D games across different platforms. Those who have moderate dementia will most likely need to stick to basic 2D games that don’t have complicated controls or stories. If your loved one doesn’t like using a controller, you might want to invest in a gaming console with a motion sensor bar that tracks body movements.
3. Doing Arts and Crafts
Crafting might not seem that challenging, but this pastime stimulates many different areas of the brain at once. In addition to planning out multiple steps, seniors also need to use their imaginations while crafting. This activity requires nothing more than a few inexpensive supplies, and there’s no limit to what seniors can make. Bespoking items, making greeting cards, and scrapbooking are all excellent options for aging adults with dementia.
Seniors with dementia often need assistance with everyday activities so they can age in place in safety and comfort. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior care Waterloo, ON, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
4. Playing Bingo
This activity can be quite challenging, and it gives your loved one a chance to socialize with family members and peers. If there aren’t any local senior centers that have game nights, consider hosting a bingo night at your own home. Once or twice a month, you can invite over a handful of friends and family members who want to spend more time with your loved one. You might even want to turn your bingo night into a potluck dinner.
5. Folding Towels
Keeping your loved one stimulated is going to be much more difficult as the disease progresses. At some point, you will need to start finding failure-free activities that are challenging but not frustrating. Folding towels can keep your loved one occupied and help him or her feel like a contributor to the household. Many seniors with dementia also enjoy working with their hands and feeling different textures.
If your loved one is living with dementia, having a trained professional caregiver close by can provide you and your family with much-needed peace of mind. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Waterloo families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (519) 954-2111 to learn about the high quality of our in-home dementia care services.