Use these engaging activities for people with Alzheimer’s to help boost self-esteem and confidence.
What gets you out of bed each morning? Many of us have an extensive to-do list that drives us to start the day. As much as we might wish we could keep hitting the snooze button, having a feeling of purpose is vital to our health. That is true for somebody with dementia too.
When caring for someone with dementia, it is natural to want to do as much as possible for the person. While the motives behind this way of thinking are to help make life better and simpler, it could have the opposite impact. It’s vital to encourage the person to continue to tackle tasks and participate in purposeful activities, even if this means a little extra time and patience on your part.
What Are Some Engaging Activities for People With Alzheimer’s?
There is an endless list of engaging activities for people with Alzheimer’s. It begins with activities of everyday living, the things we rarely give a second thought to: preparing and eating meals, taking a bath, and getting dressed. But imagine having these daily tasks completely taken over by another person. How might it change how you view yourself?
With some support and modifications, a person in the early and middle stages of dementia can still do these activities. For instance, if:
- Removing the toothpaste cap and squeezing just the right amount onto the toothbrush is challenging, take care of that step for the person, leaving the toothbrush on the side of the sink to enable them to brush independently.
- Preparing a from-scratch meal from start to finish is no longer possible, think through which steps the person can still complete: washing and tearing lettuce for salad, setting out napkins and silverware, stirring butter into a bowl of mashed potatoes, etc.
- Buttons and zippers are cumbersome, select clothing that can be pulled on and off more easily.
Additionally, you will want to ensure there are plenty of fun and engaging activities for the person to experience each day as well. Base these activities on their current and/or past passions. Consider:
- Ability-appropriate puzzles and games
- Gardening: indoor dish gardens or planting seeds in small pots can take the place of outdoor gardening if needed
- Music: creating a playlist of favorite songs and having a singalong, dancing together, or just clapping hands and tapping toes to the beat
- Taking a daily walk around the block or even in the yard, enjoying nature and speaking with neighbors
- Organizing nuts and bolts in a toolbox, sinkers and bobbers in a tackle box, or papers in folders
The home care experts at Grace Home Care are trained in creative strategies that make each day the best it can be. Get in touch with us online or give us a call at 785-286-2273 for more information on how our Topeka dementia care services can improve life for someone you love.