Photographs, notes, ticket stubs, and other memorabilia can have a special place in a senior’s heart, and many decide to create scrapbooks to give these memories a sense of permanence. Scrapbooking is sometimes a component of reminiscence therapy, which has proven to be beneficial for boosting senior brain health, especially for those diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Here are some of the cognitive benefits your elderly loved one can gain from taking up scrapbooking as a hobby.
Mental Acuity
Research shows recollecting the past can aid in the growth of new neural pathways throughout the brain, a process called neuroplasticity. Organizing memories in a physical manner helps your loved one exercise mental accuracy and naturally supports his or her cognitive capabilities. Scrapbooking can give your loved one a reason to communicate more frequently with Waterloo caregivers, family, and friends, keeping his or her mind sharp.
Self-Worth
Recalling people, stories, and emotions can help prevent depression and dementia. Your loved one may also feel less anxiety as a result of scrapbooking because participating in creative activities can help him or her regain a sense of purpose. Though a scrapbook can be a creative outlet for your loved one, it can also become a biography of his or her accomplishments future generations can inherit.
Socialization
A Waterloo hourly caregiver can make the task of scrapbooking even more pleasurable and stimulating by engaging in questions with your loved one while he or she works on the project. Talking about travels, the people in the photographs, or why a particular piece of memorabilia is precious can make scrapbooking a fun social experience. This can heighten your loved one’s bond with the present, making him or her go beyond reminiscing about the past and live for today as well.
Dexterity
Scrapbooking also does wonders for strengthening the hands. Studies suggest increased cognition can have a direct impact on fine motor skills, and this relationship can work both ways. Spreading glue across the page, using scissors, and twisting off caps requires coordination much of the elderly population loses when sedentary. Maintaining a physically active body can have a positive impact on your loved one’s mind because it increases productivity and can brighten his or her mood.
To learn more about activities that can boost your loved one’s brain, reach out to Home Care Assistance. All of our caregivers are trained in the revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, an activities-based program designed to slow cognitive decline and help seniors engage with others in an enjoyable way. For more information on elderly care Waterloo families trust, call one of our friendly Care Managers at (519) 954-2111 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.