Caregivers sometimes are not sure what activities to do with a loved one with dementia. As the condition develops, your loved one may struggle to do some of the activities you used to enjoy together, or to follow the thread of a conversation. But there are still many rewarding ways you can share time together and keep your loved one’s brain engaged.
- Gentle exercise. Try doing gentle exercises together like stretching, going on a walk, dancing, yoga, or pilates. This is a good opportunity for you to help your loved one stay in shape while ensuring they are exercising safely.
- Converse about old memories. If you have a hard time conversing about the present, try reaching into the distant past. Your loved one probably still has access to early childhood memories, even if they no longer can access a lot of their newer memories.
- Look through photo albums. You can page through photo albums together to look at pictures of family and friends, trips they’ve taken, places they have lived, and so on. You just need to be understanding of the fact that they may not always recognize what they see. You can tell them about the people and places in the photos.
- Listen to music or sing. Losing access to memories doesn’t mean that a patient with dementia cannot enjoy listening to music or singing along. Play some of your loved one’s favorite albums with them. Sing together or just listen quietly.
- Art. Your loved one experiences thoughts and emotions every day, even though they do not always have context for their life story. If you give them paints, colored pencils, or other supplies, they can express some of their feelings through arts and crafts. Research has shown that art therapy for dementia patients can increase their wellbeing and facilitate relationships with caregivers.
- Spend time in nature. Getting outdoors is good for our bodies and minds at any stage of life, especially if we are surrounded by the beauty of nature. Try taking your loved one out to a nearby park, or even a nice drive through the countryside. If they cannot manage that, maybe you could just sit with them out in their yard, or look out the window together.
- Cooking, gardening, and household activities. One of the benefits of hospice care is that the majority of it takes place at the patient’s home, allowing them to stay where they are comfortable. Simple activities around the home can be soothing for dementia patients, and a good way for caregivers to share time with their loved ones. For example, you could cook together (supervising carefully), clean, or plant some seeds out in the garden. This has the added benefit of helping you keep up with all the chores that need to get done around the home.
- Play simple games. Research has found that certain activities can lower the risk of dementia. Examples include writing, using a computer, taking a class, or playing simple games such as crosswords, cards, chess, or puzzle solving. Once a patient has dementia, it cannot be reversed. But continuing to engage in these types of activities might help to support brain health. If your loved one is still able to do activities like these, consider working on a crossword together or playing another type of simple game that they enjoy. You could also attend an online class together, or play computer or console games, especially those that involve puzzle elements. If you are not the primary caregiver, and cannot always be with your loved one in person, corresponding via written letters or emails is another way you can maintain your connection and help support your loved one’s brain health.
- Spend time with pets. Studies have shown that owning a cat or a dog may help to slow cognitive decline as people age. If your loved one has a pet of their own, hopefully that will bolster their health. Be sure to check on the pet’s wellbeing regularly, and take over care duties if your loved one is no longer fully able to care for them. If they don’t have a pet, but you do, consider bringing your pet over to interact with them sometimes. It’s a fun way to spend the time, and should bring them some moments of joy.
Journey Palliative and Hospice Offers Dementia Care in Burbank
At Journey Palliative and Hospice, we have extensive experience providing compassionate care for patients with dementia. We also offer counseling and support to caregivers. To learn how we can help you and your family, please contact us today at (818) 748-3427 to schedule a consultation. We provide hospice services throughout the Burbank area.
