6 Fascinating Activities for Seniors Who Have Alzheimer’s Or Dementia

Connecting with seniors with Alzheimer's can be tricky because they might have memory problems or managing complex tasks. The following are a few remarkable activities to help family caregivers better communicate with their loved one and keep him or her happy.

1. Create a Memory Bag

Seniors can fill the memory bag with items reminiscent of their teenage life like scented products because smells are strongly tied to memory and spark flashbacks. Your loved one can also include soap, perfumes, aftershave, or things like gingerbread, pine, and peppermint in his or her bag.

Seniors living with Alzheimer's often need extra assistance in and outside the home. Get in touch with a trusted home care provider for 24-hour Home Care in Palm Beach. Caregivers are expertly trained to help seniors with bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and are specialized in assisting seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s.

2. Look through Photo Albums

Photo albums with several pictures of seniors from their childhood or adolescent years can be the best activity to ignite past memories. Old newspapers or magazines are other good options, particularly those that include many photos such as the famous Life or Time magazines.

3. Read out Loud

If your elderly loved one has a favorite book or novel, read it out loud and let him or her hold the book and feel the pages. Encourage seniors to enjoy the distinctive "old book smell" which can be mentally stimulating. Reading aloud works well when you are reading poetry for your loved one, as the cadence of the words may seem familiar and calming.

4. Play Their Favorite Music

Download songs or set up the radio to stream music from your loved one's teenage years. Several internet radio stations include a wide plethora of music ranging from classic rock to big band sounds. You can easily find the music your loved one likes to listen to when he or she was a teenager.

5. Sing Old Songs

If your senior loved one grew up going to church, sing old hymns with him or her on Sundays. Find holiday carols or other special songs online to enjoy it with seniors during the holiday breaks. Fascinating class sing-a-longs and music lessons were common in schools prior to the electronic age so you can be surprised to hear what songs your loved ones know and remember from elementary school.

6. Watch Old Movies and TV Shows

Find out the types of movies your aging parents grow up watching which can be a western film like "Gunsmoke" or a family drama such as "My Three Sons". Seniors may feel more interested in musicals like "The King and me" or "Singing in the Rain." You can find tons of movies and shows from the 40s or 50s on many streaming websites.

Older adults with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from receiving professional Alzheimer’s care. Palm Beach seniors who need regular mental stimulation when managing memory-related conditions can hire a reliable in-home caregiver who has extensive training in Alzheimer’s care.