Dementia patients still need to do daily activities. In fact, doing daily activities can help to slow down the progression of dementia. As a family caregiver, there are many great activities that you can encourage your elderly loved one to do if they have dementia. You can also make a list of activities your elderly loved one enjoys. Then, you can share that list with your loved one’s caregivers. The caregivers can work these activities into the schedule on the days they are caring for your loved one.
Taking Walks
One of the activities that are very beneficial for people with dementia is walking. There are many spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental benefits of walking for people with dementia. Research shows that walking can help to improve focus, concentration, memory, and happiness. People with dementia need to improve these things if they are going to slow down the progression of the disease. It is a good idea for you or one of the caregivers to take these walks with your loved one because dementia patients are known to wander off.
Gardening
Another one of the great activities for people who have dementia is gardening. There may be some gardening tasks that your elderly loved one can’t do if they dementia such as using shears. However, there are still many gardening tasks that are safe for people with dementia. Your elderly loved one might be capable of pulling weeds and planting seeds. They may even enjoy doing these tasks. If you do start a garden with your elderly loved one, you or one of their caregivers may have to help them keep the garden watered.
Doing Basic Chores
Some other great activities for your elderly loved one to do if they have dementia are basic chores. It is important for your loved one to keep doing chores, so they don’t forget how to do them. When their disease gets more severe, they won’t be able to do these things anymore. However, if they keep doing them now, it can slow down the progression of their disease. Some of the basic chores your elderly loved one may be able to do include folding laundry, vacuuming, dusting, raking leaves, making their bed, and taking care of groceries.
Conclusion
These are some of the great activities that people with dementia can do. If you are helping with the care of your elderly loved one and they have dementia, you should encourage them to do activities daily. If they keep doing these activities and others they are still capable of doing, they can slow down the progression of their disease. It should be mentioned that as the disease progresses, you and your elderly loved one’s caregivers may need to help with some of the activities.
If you or an aging loved one needs a Caregiver in Roseville, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources
https://www.nccdp.org/resources/AlzheimersDementiaActivityIdeas.pdf
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