Although caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s comes with unique challenges, keeping their life engaging is crucial to their well-being. As memory fades and cognitive functions deteriorate, retaining a feeling of purpose and joy can considerably improve their quality of life.
Simple activities adapted to their abilities and interests can foster feelings of connection, stimulate the mind, and improve emotional health. Here are some ways caregivers can support their loved ones in having happy and meaningful experiences.
Make Activities Accessible
Choose tasks that are compatible with their existing capability. Simple things like cooking together, watering plants, or folding laundry can bring happiness. Singing, dancing, or simply listening to music frequently elicits happy feelings and connections.
Pets can also bring comfort since feeding and grooming them can help the person relax. Look for something that matches their previous hobbies and increases satisfaction and engagement.
Involve the Person in your Daily Routine
Encouraging people with Alzheimer’s to assist with meal preparation, laundry, and other household chores is one of the best ways to keep them involved in your daily routine. Active engagement in day-to-day activities can boost your loved one’s mood and promote their physical and mental health.
For instance, if your loved one expresses an interest in cooking, you could ask them to measure ingredients or recite recipe directions to you, depending on their capabilities. Folding laundry is another enjoyable household routine chore to undertake with the person.
Engage them with Art and Craft
Drawing and painting are creative and healthy ways to express emotions. Encourage the use of vivid, striking colors on large surfaces. In addition to being enjoyable, these activities for people with dementia can also be therapeutic because they encourage emotional expression.
Activities with diverse textures, such as playing with clay, provide tactile stimulation to dementia patients. Making crafts out of these items or even experimenting with different sizes and forms can be fun and helpful.
Promote Social Interaction
Visitors are crucial, even if someone does not completely recognize them. Limit the number of guests at any given moment to prevent overstimulating the person with Alzheimer’s, which could lead to behavioral issues or anxiety.
Explain to friends and family how Alzheimer’s affects memory and behavior to get them ready. Consider engaging activities such as telling stories or playing simple games. A trip to a park, a peaceful café, or a well-known neighborhood gathering can help make the person’s day pleasant.
Make Plans for Holidays and Special Occasions
The holidays may be joyful as well as stressful. Include familiar traditions and provide calm spaces where the individual can relax. Avoid making significant changes to their house or comfort zone, such as moving furniture around.
Limit big parties and instead celebrate in smaller, easier-to-manage groups. Use different times for guests to keep gatherings smaller. Take rest breaks and stick to a routine during traveling to reduce anxiety.
Prioritize the Person’s Well-Being
Observe signs of exhaustion or dissatisfaction and modify your routine accordingly. Sometimes, simply sitting and observing provides the most comfort. Provide a “safe room” where the person may retreat if the situation gets too much for them. Caregivers should also prioritize their own self-care, reaching out for assistance as needed.
Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application.
You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.
References
- Jica, G. How to keep life engaging for people with Alzheimer’s. Medical Express. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-life-engaging-people-alzheimer.html. Published Online: 16th December, 2024. Accessed: 8th January, 2025.
- How to Keep a Loved One With Alzheimer’s Disease Engaged in Activities. Alzheimer’s Caregiver Network. https://alzheimerscaregivers.org/2022/11/01/how-to-keep-a-loved-one-with-alzheimers-disease-engaged-in-activities/. Accessed: 8th January, 2025.
- Lundberg, A. 19 Engaging and Meaningful Activities for People With Dementia at Home. A Place for Mom. Updated Online: 31st July, 2024. Accessed: 8th January, 2025.