The Alzheimer’s Association claims that more than 400,000 Texans have Alzheimer’s. About 1.1 million family members try to care for them.
Whether you are the caregiver or your loved one is in a memory care community, sharing activities for seniors with Alzheimer’s with them creates moments of joy. These endeavors require minimal effort and can pay off for both of you. The key is approaching them with an open mind, compassion, and camaraderie; remember, you are in this together.
The Ridglea Senior Living is a Fort Worth memory care community that leverages data-based therapies and activities for older people with dementia. Our 24/7 team members provide caregiving support and targeted programming. We also explain the importance of memory care activities to family members, showing them ways to spend quality time together.
Why are memory care activities so important?
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a group of conditions leading to progressive cognitive ability decline. The symptoms include impairments to memory, language, problem-solving, and self-care. Those changes interfere with independence and daily life, but there are still ways to lead fulfilling lives.
These seniors can reap the benefits of carefully curated physical activities and socialization:
- Cognitive Stimulation: Memory care activities aim to engage the brain. This can help slow down memory loss.
- Socialization: They don’t feel alone.
- Reduced Stress: Organized activities can be relaxing.
- A Sense of Purpose: Following regular routines and accomplishing activities creates a sense of purpose
- Promoting Memory Recall: Activities like reminiscence therapy can help residents recall memories, which can be a comforting and affirming experience.
Activities are a broad term. They include not just movement but also passive things like watching and listening. Asking your loved one what they want to do is always a good option; if they are uninterested in an activity, let it go. Try something else or circle back to it later.
Points to keep in mind for dementia-friendly activities:
- Focus on the process, not the outcome
- Live in the moment
- Let them express themselves
- Make tasks failure-free
Now that you have the foundation for activities for the elderly with dementia, we’ll share some to try.
What cognitive activities benefit seniors with dementia?
Consider projects, tasks, and exercises that combine some or all of the activities described below; creativity is encouraged.
1. Physical Activities for Seniors with Dementia
Many types of dementia are linked to damaged blood vessels. These vessels cannot pump enough blood from the heart to the brain. This problem also causes strokes. The American Heart Association recommends that seniors get 150 minutes of exercise every week; it’s good for brain and heart health.
Getting two and a half hours of exercise each week may be hard for people with dementia. However, every bit helps. Try these exercises with someone with dementia:
- Chair yoga
- Tai chi
- Walking
- Gardening
- Dancing
Physical activity has the potential to give your loved one more energy and better sleep patterns. But don’t pressure them to exercise when they aren’t up for it.
2. Social Activities for Seniors Living with Dementia
Activities to do with memory care residents should aim to be failure-free; find things that help your loved one trigger memories, live in the moment and spark joy. At The Ridglea, we hold memory care activities in small groups, but they can be done with family and friends at home.
- Storytelling and recording interviews
- Looking at photo albums
- Watching home movies or favorite films
- Listening to music
- Pet therapy
Be open to new ideas; if they’re able, you can take short trips to parks and museums.
3. The Value of Spontaneous Memory Care Activities
Living in the moment fits in with the ebb and flow of challenges that come with memory loss. Attention spans may not be as long, so we’re all about coming up with activities on the fly.
For example, if your loved one is upset about crumbs on the kitchen floor, grab two brooms. Sweep up together. This gives a sense of independence and purpose. Repetitive movements like that also help with zeroing in on the task at hand. If they’re physically strong enough, other light chores can burn a few calories and make them feel accomplished.
Sensory stimulation can also provide relief to agitation and anxiety. Take a break from folding fresh laundry to sense the clean smell; stop a conversation to look out the window and see a woodpecker on a tree.
Creative projects can also be spontaneous activities for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia, with some planning on your end. Bring a deck of cards to lunch; instead of cleaning up right away, remove the plates and ask them to play their favorite card game. Keep other games and puzzles handy, as they can build new brain pathways and connectors.
An Assisted Living and Memory Care Community for Seniors With Dementia
The Ridglea Senior Living offers assisted living and memory care that helps seniors live their best lives in Fort Worth, Texas. Our residents have private memory care apartments and share common spaces with their peers. Our on-site amenities include:
- Grand dining room and chef-prepared meals
- Spacious common areas to meet with friends
- Fitness room and wellness programming
- Memory care activities like Gratitude board discussions and Color Me Calm
- Exercise activities like Fit for You Move and Groove
- Social activities like spa socials
- Game room and art studio
- Beauty salon and barbershop
- Outdoor courtyards and covered patios
Our caregiving team helps families create personalized care plans for their loved ones. These plans include medication management, bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility support. Our residents also benefit from nurse oversight and nationally-certified dementia team leaders.
At The Ridglea, specialized dementia caregivers form family-like bonds with residents in a calming, clean, and secure environment. We build trust and provide relief from the considerable challenges seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia face.
This type of long-term care helps seniors with memory loss find purpose; it allows them to build relationships with others on similar journeys. The Cottage has a purposeful resident-to-caregiver ratio to offer personalized experiences. Whether your loved one is in the early or later stages of dementia, they’ll find comfort and relief in our compassionate memory care setting.
Our Memory Care Activities Help Seniors Live Fulfilling Lives
Can you picture your loved one living in a supportive, caring environment with scheduled programming that brings them joy? You’ll find that at The Ridglea Senior Living. Contact us with questions about activities and senior care, or schedule a tour.
