{"id":8458,"date":"2016-03-07T07:57:35","date_gmt":"2016-03-07T13:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=8458"},"modified":"2017-09-19T13:13:31","modified_gmt":"2017-09-19T18:13:31","slug":"activities-for-people-with-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2016\/03\/activities-for-people-with-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Activities for People with Dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Activities for People\u00a0with Dementia\"Activities<\/h1>\n

It\u2019s widely suggested that keeping your brain active and flexible on a daily basis can potentially reduce your chances of dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s disease, although researchers are still working on truly understanding the cause of memory diseases. However, once a loved one is diagnosed with a cognitive disease, you can still find benefits of mentally stimulating activities, including board games, puzzles, and other hands-on activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you are working with an Alzheimer\u2019s patient on a daily basis, or looking for something to do together on your next visit with a loved one, the following games can help start conversations, bring up happy memories, or just give families and friends something fun to do together to connect.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Bingo<\/b><\/p>\n

A study by the <\/span>American Journal of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and Other Dementia<\/span><\/i> reported that people with dementia who played bingo performed significantly better on measures of cognition than participants who did not play, and that alertness and awareness seemed to last for hours after testing was complete. Bingo can be played in a large group or one-on-one, and you can alter the items being matched (using pictures instead of numbers, for example) to make it stage-appropriate for the individual. You can also find jumbo-sized boards and number cards to help with visibility, or make your own handmade cards.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Daily Activities as Play<\/b><\/p>\n

Daily activities from previous life can give comfort and stability to person living with dementia,\u00a0with familiar tasks helping to alleviate anxiety. For example, a person with dementia\u00a0may enjoy sorting and counting play money. A baby doll<\/a><\/strong> makes it easy for them\u00a0to recall what it\u2019s like to care for their children throughout the day. Consider tasks that the person did often as a young man or woman, and introduce the activity as a chance for them to teach you how they did it. Another fun option is to review old cookbooks together, recalling how favorite family recipes were perfected. <\/span><\/p>\n

3. Find It Game<\/b><\/p>\n

Perfect to enjoy\u00a0with younger generations, this game is different each time you play it. The idea is that numerous small objects (a penny, a rubber band, a pebble, a screw, etc.) are hidden in a large container of corn, rice, birdseed, or other material. Each player draws a card listing an item hidden in the container, then must reach in and fish around until the item is found. You can buy a <\/span>premade version<\/a><\/strong> of the game, or make one yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n

4. Puzzles<\/b><\/p>\n

Another great intergenerational activity, puzzles can easily be selected based on the individual’s stage of dementia. Puzzles can be simple with large pieces, or more complex, taking several days to complete. You can purchase puzzles that are more challenging to the memory, such as a map of the United States where the states\u2019 pieces are the actual shape of the state. You could also take an interesting photo puzzle, and encourage the person\u00a0to create a story about what\u2019s going on in the image as they work on the puzzle.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Memory Bag<\/b><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for ice-breaker activities for your next visit, why not create your own memory bag? Gather items that the\u00a0person\u00a0would have been familiar with from earlier life, preferably in their 20s or 30s, and put them in an opaque bag. Consider items that speak to several senses, including smell, touch, sight, and even sound. Have the person draw from the bag one item at a time, and then encourage them to share a memory that is sparked by the item. If a memory cannot be recalled, take some time to discuss your own memories. For example, if you bring a candle that is gingerbread-scented, you can discuss how grandmother always baked gingerbread cookies during the holidays.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additional Tips:<\/b><\/p>\n