3 Activities Proven to Engage Seniors with Alzheimer’s

While seniors with Alzheimer’s may be limited in some of their abilities, not all abilities are lost. If you are a caregiver to a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to acknowledge this fact and create opportunities that facilitate meaningful experiences for your loved one. One major way to do this is through stimulating activities. Many studies have concluded that there are many different activities that can engage, benefit, and be enjoyable to people with Alzheimer’s disease. If you are looking for inspiration, here are 3 activities to engage seniors with Alzheimer’s disease from our Tapestries Memory Care team in Gloucester County.

1. Sensory stimulation. This can be especially helpful for seniors who are in the later stages of Alzheimers and have difficulty expressing language or understanding logical reasoning. Most seniors in these stages still have their 5 senses intact (sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch), which means caregivers can use those senses as a way to engage with their loved one. Some examples include playing their favorite song, lighting their favorite candle, or cooking their favorite food. Although short-term, sensory stimulation will have a positive effect on your loved one’s behavior, stress level, and emotional state. 
2. Creating art. There is freedom in expression, especially when working with an art form like painting, drawing, or sculpting. There is no right or wrong when it comes to creating art, which is a breath of fresh air to those with Alzheimer’s. The artistic process can be very therapeutic and offers seniors the ability to be creative and communicate on their own terms, free from the frustrations their dementia symptoms can cause.
3. Games tailored to Alzheimer’s. Performing a quick Google search can help you find dozens of games that are tailored to those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Some popular examples include Qwirkle, Shake Loose a Memory, and Words with Friends. Our Life Enrichment Team Specialists in Tapestries also recommend playing more traditional and interactive games with your loved one. Classic games like checkers, dominoes, cards, and chess can spark long-term memories of them playing while they were young. Not only will more traditional games be easier to pick up on, they will also keep your loved one engaged and help foster a stronger connection to you.

Tapestries® Memory Care at UMC at Pitman

The Tapestries memory care philosophy places a strong focus on getting to know each memory care resident to learn their wants, needs, and level of care required. This model of care has been successful time and time again in preserving residents’ independence and cognitive function. Our Life Enrichment Team Specialists (LETS) help support this care model by acquiring the knowledge, compassion, and patience to keep memory care residents engaged through stimulating activities and advanced treatment. Members of the LETS team are available on-site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to promote the most connected and fulfilling lifestyle for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

For more information about memory support services at UMC at Pitman in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/09/06/3-activities-proven-to-engage-seniors-with-alzheimers/