Helping an Aging Parent with Alzheimer’s Get Cognitive Stimulation

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How to Provide Mental Stimulation for Seniors with Alzheimer in Winnipeg, MB

After an elderly loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, keeping his or her mind active is of the utmost importance. If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s, try the following strategies for providing the mental stimulation he or she needs. 

Sing Songs

Music can be incredibly beneficial for seniors who have been diagnosed with dementia-related disorders like Alzheimer’s. Listening to favorite songs stimulates multiple areas of the brain and can connect your loved one with fond memories and experiences. Music therapy can also mitigate other symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as agitation, depression, and aggression.  Aging adults with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from receiving professional Alzheimer’s care. Winnipeg seniors need regular mental stimulation when managing memory-related conditions, and a reliable in-home caregiver who has extensive training in Alzheimer’s care can be a great asset.

Watch Family Videos

Due to the nature of Alzheimer’s, it’s often difficult for seniors to watch longer movies and TV shows. Shorter family videos are an excellent alternative, and they can be advantageous for aging adults as well as family caregivers. Much like music, family videos trigger memories and connect seniors to their past experiences. As for caregivers, these videos can provide them with peace and tranquility for a short period every day.

Bake a Simple Recipe

Cooking a full meal isn’t always practical for seniors with Alzheimer’s due to the complicated instructions and the many dangers present in a kitchen. Baking is a much more methodical practice that rarely requires the use of sharp knives, scalding water, or stovetops. This hobby stimulates all the senses at the same time, which can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Baking can give your loved one a sense of purpose, and it also has meditative qualities he or she might benefit from.  If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care service families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Assign a Few Easy Chores

There may come a point where your loved one can no longer help with major chores, but carrying out a few minor tasks around the house can still challenge him or her physically and mentally. When assigning chores to your parent, make sure they’re not too overwhelming or complicated. A simple task like folding a pile of towels while music plays in the background can boost your loved one’s cognitive abilities and force his or her mind to work through each step of the process. Engaging in activities specifically designed to stimulate the brain is one of the best things your loved one can do to alleviate his or her Alzheimer’s symptoms.  If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s, having a trained professional caregiver close by can provide you and your family with much-needed peace of mind. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. Winnipeg families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at (204) 489-6000 today.

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