For seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-altering diseases, the desire to accomplish things doesn’t vanish. Being able to engage in meaningful activities can go a long way to lifting the spirits of someone with Alzheimer’s, and can help stave off anxiety and depression. However, coming up with activities to keep a person with Alzheimer’s busy and engaged with life can be a tricky task for a caregiver.
- Stick to simple pleasures — Take turns reading a favorite book aloud. This can be an easy way to encourage seniors to exercise their minds while giving them the pleasure of reading a beloved book.
- Listen to music — Research has shown that music helps seniors with Alzheimer’s remember events, people, and places from their past. Additionally, music can be a way to get a senior moving through dance or song. Read our blog post about Alzheimer’s and music.
- Cook and clean — You can turn mundane, daily tasks like dusting, folding laundry, or measuring ingredients for dinner into quality time spent together.
- Work up a sweat — Exercise provides countless benefits for seniors to exercise both the body and the mind.
- Play a game — While you probably don’t want to start a game of Trivial Pursuit with your loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s possible to make an entertaining, personal game out of things lying around the house. Sorting through old family photos is a good way to help an elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s remember special events and people from their past. You can even turn a routine trip to the grocery store into a scavenger hunt where you and your loved one search for particular items on a list.
- Volunteer –– Devoting time to helping other people can provide immense satisfaction to both you and your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Volunteering can involve something as simple as collecting things like school supplies, toys, canned goods, etc., and taking them to a local shelter or food bank. Seniors who can’t leave the house could help by sorting, wrapping, or taking inventory of collected goods.
These activities will require varying levels of patience on the part of the caregiver. A loved one with Alzheimer’s will not be able to perform tasks perfectly, if at all, and seniors are likely to get frustrated if an activity is too difficult. It will take constant trial and error to create and modify activities to meet an elder’s shifting capabilities.
Do you have a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s?Persons with Alzheimer’s and their families face special legal and financial needs. At The Fairfax and Fredericksburg Elder Law Firms of Evan H. Farr, P.C.we are dedicated to easing the financial and emotional burden on those suffering from dementia and their loved ones. If you have a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, we can help you prepare for your future financial and long-term care needs. We help protect the family’s hard-earned assets while maintaining your loved one’s comfort, dignity, and quality of life by ensuring eligibility for critical government benefits. Call us today at 703-691-1888 to make an appointment for a complimentary consultation.
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