Dementia is an umbrella term that can include many different forms such as:
- Vascular Dementia
- Lewy body Dementia
- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
- Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease Dementia
- Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia
… just to name a few. If one of your loved ones has a form of dementia or another form of memory impairment, it can be challenging to navigate ways to keep them as healthy and active as possible – physically, mentally, and socially.
Oftentimes, there is a social stigma surrounding memory loss, with friends and community members feeling awkward or unsure of how to best engage with someone who is going through these challenges. However, finding ways to help those with memory impairment stay engaged and active is vital to their health. Staying active and engaged is one of the key components in maintaining their quality of life and providing a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Often the best activity is what the individual with the dementia diagnosis would like to do. What is the most familiar and comfortable for them? What are their interests and hobbies? What do they enjoy the most? It might even be something that seems like a chore to others, such as sweeping, folding laundry, or putting away the dishes.
Another important factor is choosing activities that are safe and appropriate. Someone in the earlier stages of dementia might enjoy and benefit from things like card games and puzzles, which rely on memory, whereas a person with more severe dementia could find them frustrating. With those factors in mind, here are some types of activities that can be rewarding:
- Cognitive activities. Especially for people with mild dementia, activities that involve memory and cognitive skills can be very helpful. These include card games, jigsaw puzzles, word scrambles, and arts and crafts.
- Physical activities. Everyone can benefit from physical activity, which promotes balance and general health. Some good activities, depending on the person’s physical abilities, can include gentle walks, tai chi, chair yoga, and dancing (clapping hands and tapping feet can be done sitting down and just as effective).
- Sensory activities. Sensory stimulation may help improve memory and cognition. Activities include listening to music, helping with cooking, or going out for a “spa day” with a loved one.
- Creative activities including scrapbooking, painting, or coloring can also be beneficial. Looking at photo albums together and discussing memories, or asking open-ended questions that stimulate the imagination, such as, “What is the most beautiful sound in the world?” can help to stabilize cognitive function and mood.
- Outdoor activities. Being outside in a natural setting is healthy for everyone. A study in Dementia found that exposure to nature improved mood and reduced agitation in memory-impaired patients. It’s also beneficial for caregivers and family members. Possible outdoor activities include picnicking in the backyard, going for a walk, planting flowers, and sitting on a bench in a park. This easily contributes to sensory stimulation as well—the scent of grass and flowers, the sounds of birds or lapping water, etc.
- Memory Cafes – A Memory Café is a dementia-friendly gathering that can include many of these types of activities, as well as social engagement. It’s a place for those with memory impairment and their loved ones to gather and interact. Typically, the Café will include activities, an educational talk, some refreshments, and a themed “look back” topic for discussion. The activities are fun for everyone, and no diagnosis is needed to attend.
If you are interested in a safe environment to participate in dementia-friendly activities, Warner Hospital hosts a monthly Memory Cafe here at the Wellness Center. It is held on the first Monday of each month from 2:00-3:00 pm.
During the hour, we take a walk down memory lane with “Remember when…” activities. We provide short and easy-to-follow educational discussions on various topics of interest. We participate in a dementia-friendly game or activity, accompanied by drinks, snacks, and good conversation.
February is “National Heart Health Month”. Therefore, just in time for Valentine’s Day, February’s café theme is “Show Your Heart Some Love.” We will offer Heart Healthy topics, a sweet treat, and music by Ron Devore.
If you are interested in joining us or have any questions, please contact our Wellness Coordinator, Kelly Burton at 217-937-5275 OR our DeWitt County Caregiver Advisor with CCSI, Rebecca Wheat at 309-445-7098.
You can also find links to the upcoming Memory Café events each month on our Facebook page.
