Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].
Q: Since August is Family Fun Month, what kinds of activities do you suggest for my loved one with dementia?
A: It always warms my heart to hear a question like this being asked, because being involved with family activities is so beneficial for individuals with dementia. There’s no substitute for the bond between loved ones, and Family Fun Month is the perfect opportunity to consider new ways to spend time and create memories together.
Even though dementia affects your loved one’s ability to communicate and perform certain tasks, they’re still able to participate in meaningful activities. In fact, studies have shown that enjoyable activities can help seniors with dementia to lead happier, more fulfilled lives. The trick is to find meaningful activities for your loved one that can be adapted in ways that allow them to participate.
Here are some great examples of activities that families can do together with their loved ones with dementia.
Go outside. Being in nature has many benefits for seniors with dementia. It helps them feel more connected, eases anxiety and stimulates all their senses. August is a great month to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Just remember to stay hydrated and use protection from the sun! Some activities you can do include:
- Gardening together
- Watching birds
- Talking a walk in a park or nature preserve
- Having a picnic
Create in the kitchen. Baking and cooking play such a huge role in our lives and our memories. With supervision, your loved one with dementia can safely help out in the kitchen. Simple recipes like cookies, for example, are family-friendly cooking activities that everyone can enjoy (and everyone can have a role in creating).
Make something together. Building or using your hands to create something sparks a sense of joy and accomplishment. There are lots of fun activities you and your loved one can do that have something to show for it at the end. Think about what your loved one’s passions and interests are. Did he or she enjoy knitting? Woodworking? Painting? Pretty much any activity can be adapted in order to be accessible for your loved one. Here are some ideas of crafts or projects the whole family can do together:
- Make necklaces by stringing beads together
- Arrange flowers in a pretty vase or pot succulents
- Build a birdhouse
- Paint a picture – self-portraits are always a fun topic
- Create a scrapbook using old pictures
Watch a movie. Who doesn’t love sitting on the couch, eating popcorn and watching a favorite movie? Activities don’t have to be high energy in order to be enjoyable. Choose a favorite TV show or movie from your loved one’s past, grab some comfy blankets and chairs, pop the popcorn and enjoy the show.
Play a game together. Complex games may be out of reach for your loved one, but simple and easy games like Go Fish, Uno or Candyland are great games that everyone from young children to seniors with dementia can play. Jigsaw puzzles, while not technically a game, can be a fun activity as well.
Dance and sing. Music is a great unifier, and it’s been proven to be very beneficial to individuals with dementia. Play some music from your loved one’s past or turn the radio to a favorite station, grab a partner and hold a dance party in the living room. Your loved one may even break out some dances from his or her youth.
The most important thing is to be flexible and roll with the changes. Dementia can make it difficult sometimes to plan fun activities, but with patience and a bit of creative thinking, you can find so many ways to spend meaningful time with your loved one.
Contact Bridges® by EPOCH to learn more about planning dementia-friendly activities.
You can also find more information at these fine agencies:
- Alzheimer’s Association®
- National Family Caregivers Association
- Family Caregivers Alliance
- National Alliance for Caregiving
Enhancing Quality of Life
Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strength so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.
Inspiration for Success
At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents each and every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.