Seniors with Alzheimer’s who are engaged in enjoyable activities are less likely to experience anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Staying busy also keeps boredom at bay and reduces negative behaviors such as aggression. Here are some activities that can help your senior loved one with Alzheimer’s pass the time pleasantly.
1. Doing Chair Exercises
Chair exercises are fun and a great way to increase mobility, balance, posture, and cardiovascular health. Play your loved one’s favorite music to inspire him or her to participate in the exercise routine. Develop a routine that’s repetitive, easy to follow, and not too physically challenging. Make sure to take frequent breaks, and check with the physician first to make sure your loved one is physically able to take up a new exercise routine.
A professional caregiver can help your loved one exercise safely. Families looking for top-rated elderly home care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
2. Making Memory Boxes
Making a memory box elicits pleasant memories of times spent with family and friends. Help your loved one choose favorite photos and other items for the box, and monitor his or her response to each object. If an item makes your loved one upset, put it away and move on to another item. When your loved one appears sad, bored, or anxious, bring out the memory box and reminisce together.
3. Stringing Beads
Stringing beads increases manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. While your loved one is still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, he or she will probably be able to thread smaller beads, but as the disease progresses, larger beads with bigger holes may be needed. You can also teach your loved one to attach clasps to the beaded strings to create lovely pieces of jewelry.
If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s, having a trained professional caregiver close by can provide you and your family with much-needed peace of mind. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care. Miami families can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
4. Needlepointing
Needlepointing stimulates brain function and promotes memory and concentration. It also gives seniors with Alzheimer’s a sense of pride and accomplishment when they can display their finished masterpieces at home or give them away as gifts. Engaging in needlepoint and other crafts such as crocheting and knitting may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
5. Interacting with Pets
Spending time with pets promotes social interaction and can boost mood in seniors with Alzheimer’s. It also prevents depression, which can diminish quality of life. Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease who are involved in pet therapy activities have lower levels of anxiety, sleep better, and enjoy better physical fitness levels than those who aren’t involved with pets.
Consider bringing a small pet into your loved one’s home. If your loved one is unable to live with a pet, schedule regular visits to animal shelters or rescue organizations so he or she can enjoy being around animals. Also, talk to the physician to find out if your loved one is an appropriate candidate for volunteering at the local animal shelter.
Aging adults with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from receiving professional Alzheimer’s care. Miami seniors need regular mental stimulation when managing memory-related conditions, and a reliable in-home caregiver who has extensive training in Alzheimer’s care can be a great asset. Reach out to us at Assisting Hands Home Care if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (305) 574-9137 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.
