7 Purposeful Activities for Seniors with Dementia

Participating in purposeful activities can benefit the cognitive and physical health of older adults with dementia. Family caregivers should provide their aging loved ones with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, tailoring each task or project to the seniors’ individual cognitive and mobility skills. Below are some meaningful activities seniors with dementia can try.

1. Doing Household Chores

Behavioral challenges are standard for aging adults with dementia, and they can get worse as the condition progresses. Doing household chores is one way to distract your loved one and reduce behavioral problems. Your loved one will feel a sense of control, whether he or she is folding towels, wiping down the dining room table, drying dishes, or organizing items. After completing the household chores, your loved one may feel accomplished and more confident.
Dementia can be challenging for seniors to manage, but they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional dementia care. Winnipeg seniors can benefit greatly from the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program designed to promote cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. CTM is included at no additional charge with any of the in-home care plans provided by Home Care Assistance.

2. Cooking

In the early and middle stages of dementia, seniors can lose interest in activities they enjoyed before developing the neurodegenerative disorder, which causes them to lose their sense of purpose. You can make cooking a social event and ask your loved one to help you prepare dinner for houseguests or assist with daily meals. Helping you in the kitchen could make life more pleasurable for your parent.

3. Journaling

Older adults living with dementia are at a higher risk of developing depression due to the side effects of certain medications or because they lack meaningful things to do, leading to boredom and loneliness. Journaling provides the daily orientation your loved one needs, and the activity may encourage him or her to express thoughts and feelings without holding back.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging, but compassionate help is available. 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 senior home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

4. Scrapbooking

Living with dementia often requires seniors to rely on family caregivers for constant help, even with simple tasks. In many cases, this can deplete their self-esteem and cause them to feel less competent. To build your loved one’s confidence, promote meaningful activities like scrapbooking that distract the mind, lower blood pressure levels, and increase dexterity. Scrapbooking can also boost memory.

5. Going Out to the Movies

Living with dementia doesn’t prevent your loved one from watching films. He or she may have difficulty keeping up with story lines as the condition worsens, but you should still go on outings together to the movies from time to time. Going to the local theater allows your loved one to get out of the home to engage with others. Make sure to choose an upbeat film that’s under two hours and has a simple, nonviolent plot.

6. Performing Yoga

Seniors seek purpose and meaningful engagement, and yoga is the perfect way to achieve these things. The techniques in yoga engage different parts of the brain, such as the components responsible for posture, breathing, thinking, concentration, and visualization. Doing yoga can relax your loved one and alleviate many symptoms associated with dementia.

7. Crafting

Arts and crafts projects can keep your parent active during the day, leading to better sleeping patterns and healthier routines. Doing crafting projects promotes creativity, giving seniors with dementia freedom of expression. Arranging flowers, drawing cards, sewing, and other doing crafting activities can boost your loved one’s self-esteem and quality of life.
A highly trained caregiver with experience in caring for seniors with dementia can be a fantastic resource for family members. Families looking for top-rated Winnipeg at-home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (204) 489-6000 to learn about the high quality of our in-home dementia care services.