Choosing Activities for Dementia Patients
In the early stages of dementia, the patient may withdraw from activities he or she previously enjoyed. Moreover, too much idle time can make anyone feel lonely and unproductive, raising the symptoms even further grave. Thus, it is important to help the person remain engaged. Keeping busy stimulates the brains of the people with dementia while boosting a sense of usefulness and accomplishment. However, since the patient even lose the ability to select satisfying activities and follow through on them. Hence, it is up to you to initiate activities that are crucial in helping the seniors to cope up with the disease strongly.
It is impossible to be perspective about any suitable activities for dementia as it is quite difficult to distinguish exactly the stage the person is at. However, there are some general principles with which one can work towards the goal and thus find the Dementia Activities that can enhance the lifestyle of the dementia patient:
It is impossible to be perspective about any suitable activities for dementia as it is quite difficult to distinguish exactly the stage the person is at. However, there are some general principles with which one can work towards the goal and thus find the Dementia Activities that can enhance the lifestyle of the dementia patient:
- Building on those activities which the person has always enjoyed can be one of the best activities for dementia patients. For instance, a former office worker might enjoy activities that involve organizing or simply small gatherings. Moreover, those who have enjoyed playing games, such as, Old Maid or Solitaire might enjoy holding cards and playing simpler games.
- Taking small changes of dementia into account is very crucial as it will give you the idea about the activities you should choose. Changes in recent memory make it hard to follow activities with multiple steps or instructions. So be perspective while selecting activities. For instance, music is one activity that tends to be very well retained.
- It is imperative for you to focus on enjoyment rather on achievement, i.e., you need to find activities that build on remaining skills and talents. Whatever the activities you choose, it must encourage the patient and should bring out the inner joy.
- Beware of physical problems that the dementia patient feels. Does he or she get tired quickly or have difficulty in seeing, hearing, or performing simple movements? This is essential as this gives the idea that you or home care givers should continue for the welfare of the dementia patient.
- Making activities routine is also necessary. If an activity is hit, do it every day or two. It is also important to pursue the categories of the activities at the same day and on the same time to add comforting structure to the day.