Keeping a senior loved one who has Alzheimer’s occupied throughout the day can be difficult, but participating in engaging activities is important for slowing the rate of cognitive decline, boosting confidence, and eliminating stress. Here are a few brain-boosting activities that are perfect for seniors with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
1. Cooking a Meal
Cooking a simple meal might not seem like a brain-boosting activity, but it can be challenging for seniors with Alzheimer’s. They’ll have to think about complex ideas such as timing various dishes and following precise instructions. Seniors with Alzheimer’s should always be supervised while cooking to prevent burns, cuts, and other serious injuries.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality home care. Trust Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
2. Gardening
Gardening can challenge a senior’s cognitive abilities. In the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s, your loved one might benefit from tending an outdoor garden with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. As the disease progresses, he or she may need hardier plants that are easier to keep alive. Chives, mint, and parsley are easy to grow and thrive in most climates.
3. Playing Sorting Games
Sorting items activates different parts of the brain, which makes it a great option for seniors with Alzheimer’s. These games can be complex or simple, and you can use practically anything you have around your home. Start with more complex sorting games like arranging family pictures in the shape of a family tree. Later on, your loved one might need easier games, such as sorting piles of clothes by color.
Managing your loved one’s daily tasks can be overwhelming, especially when you’re busy planning fun activities for him or her. Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Harrisburg live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life.
4. Singing Favorite Songs
Research suggests listening to music and singing along can provide emotional and cognitive benefits for seniors with Alzheimer’s. Music therapy has been used for many years to calm seniors when they’re stressed or anxious, and it’s often effective because Alzheimer’s rarely damages the area of the brain linked to music. In addition to singing, you can also encourage your loved one to play simple percussion instruments along to his or her favorite songs.
5. Decorating
There are major holidays throughout the year, and decorating the home is a good way for your loved one to move around without engaging in strenuous activities. Decorating can also calm seniors with Alzheimer’s by giving them more control over their environments. If you don’t want to spend too much money, you can use household items like colored paper and markers to make decorations. Decorating the home could boost your loved one’s happiness by giving him or her something to look forward to. Celebrating minor holidays is also a great way to keep seniors engaged with the world around them.
If you’re planning exciting activities for your loved one, you may need to take a break from your caregiving duties. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Harrisburg elder care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care is here to help. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (717) 540-4663.