4 Stress Relievers for Seniors with Dementia

Seniors struggling with dementia will experience stress differently than other older adults. This is because dementia changes the brain’s ability to process everyday occurrences. With that said, it’s very important that seniors with dementia are able to relieve stress effectively on a daily basis. Caregivers should familiarize themselves with effective stress-relievers, since they may differ greatly from what works for seniors without dementia. Our Tapestries Memory Care team has put a list together of the best stress relievers for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. 

The power of music. Never underestimate the power of music, especially for your loved one living with dementia. Many studies have proven that calming or enjoyable, upbeat music releases dopamine in the brain, resulting in those “feel-good” feelings. If your loved one is tech-savvy, download music playlist apps like Spotify and Pandora to their smartphones or tablets so they can listen at their leisure when they’re feeling stressed.

Sensory products. A lot of the time, older adults with dementia just have to keep busy like the Energizer Bunny. Having something sensory to touch, chew, or fidget with like gum, stress balls, or fidget spinners can do wonders for their stress relief. Keeping a small product like this on hand at all times can redirect your loved one’s anxiety and help them to focus on something else.

Going outside. When their current environment becomes too much, it’s time for a reset. Spending time outdoors on a daily basis is a great way to redirect feelings of stress. Fresh air, familiar sights, and comforting sounds like a babbling brook nearby can help your loved one to take their mind off of what’s troubling them. Not to mention, a daily walk outside also holds many health benefits for seniors – keeping their joints strong, balance maintained, and their hearts healthy.  

Removing the stress inducer altogether. Okay, so this stress-reliever requires a bit more observation on the caregiver’s part. After spending a lot of time with your loved ones, you may be able to identify the catalyst of their stress. Maybe their pantry is a mess and they could benefit from a deep clean and reorganization? Or maybe they’re constantly complaining about how cold it is in their house and may need to upgrade or adjust their thermostat? If all else fails and you’re unable to identify the trigger, we recommend taking your loved one to the doctor as stress could sometimes be caused by an underlying medical condition.

Dementia support for seniors in Gloucester County

One of the best ways your loved one with dementia can relieve stress is through thoughtful and reliable memory care methods provided by a reputable senior community. At Pitman, our Tapestries® memory care neighborhood has a welcoming, dementia-safe apartments where seniors are safe to enjoy their hobbies, release their tensions and have meaningful experiences every day. Our security personnel, as well as Life Enrichment Team Specialists, are on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure your loved one is well taken care of at all times.

If your loved one is showing early signs of dementia and you are having difficulty caring for them, please call 856-369-3092 to find out whether a move to a dedicated memory care neighborhood is the right option. To learn more about advanced memory care in Gloucester County, please contact United Methodist Communities at Pitman or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/11/02/4-stress-relievers-for-seniors-with-dementia/