Senior Care- Activities Still Important For Dementia Care

Families caring for loved ones that have been diagnosed with Dementia still should be able to provide safe activities for their loved ones. The activites should be safe and provide meaning and a feeling of accomplishment for the individual. It helps maintain a healthy way of life. Just because your loved one may have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia does not mean that they cannot participate in a stuctured activity. but remember, boredom or frustration can set in quickly, so spending long periods of time on a particular activity may not be a good idea. Mental stimulation is very important. It can help promote sef-esteem and a better sense of well-being. Activities like painting, board games, easy crafts, outings, gardening, memory stimulation, listening to favorite music, reminiscing and short walks all can help alliviate frustration and ease boredom for your loved one and yourself. Always make sure that your loved one is safe no matter what they are doing. Engage your loved one in the things that you do daily. Praise them for their effort or a job well done. Help them retain their dignity through this difficult time in their life. Let them help with folding of the laundry, meal planning, meal preparation, dusting furniture, washing or drying dishes. This allows you to keep your loved one on a schedule, which can help with behavior issues along the way. Most most of all it will allow you to spend quality time with your loved one and cut down on frustration.