Once a family member has been diagnosed with any of a number of common mental declines, becoming a caregiver is a learning time. The stress can be equal for both patient and family. But doing activities that will allow memory making time together are wonderful. Here are six of them to try.
Finding new ways to help your loved one continue to interact with you is challenging. What works for one person may not do so well for another. Trial and error is the key to finding what works for today, but keeping in mind that tomorrow may be completely different is important. Beneficial activities for people with dementia are those that are chosen to help their specific needs.
One top activity to choose is listening to music. Research conducted by Dr. Gottfield Schlaug at the Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory of the Harvard Medical School has shown that various kinds of brain injury may benefit from music therapy in ways previously not understood. Listening to music is shown to help develop the area of the brain responsible for creating new neural pathways after strokes. Some patients with dementia are able to sing songs learned decades earlier, even when they may not be able to speak much at all.
Tossing a ball can help to strengthen muscles and eye to hand coordination. This interactive play is fun, and for patients mobile enough to take the activity outdoors, a change of scenery is an added benefit. Small, soft balls can be used for patients who are bedridden, too. It is easy to do on top of smoothly tucked blankets. Many people are delighted with the childhood fun of it all.
Many patients derive deep pleasure from using crayons to color pictures. This is a pastime that can be very calming, soothing, and brings memories of childhood fun. The chance to choose favorite colors allows everyone to have a feeling of control which often carries over into the rest of day, long after the art session is done.
Anyone who can hold a camera, or a cell phone equipped with one, can enjoy an hour or so taking pictures. Looking through the lens to capture just the right image is a stimulating activity that keeps the brain working on a nice task. Encourage a loved one to take photos of everyone there. This is one of the best times for developing a family record of that individual and good times spent together.
Planting seeds is a great thing for those who love to garden. It does not matter whether this can be done outside or using containers inside. Simply digging in the dirt and placing each seed in the right spot will encourage physical activity and maintain fine motor coordination. As the seeds are nurtured and grow into plants, high delight often follows.
Loving memories are part of the baking process. Putting together an afternoon cookie baking session is one way to create some fun and revisit the sharing times which we all crave. Kneading and shaping dough into delicious treats can be followed by eating some of them together. All of these are good for both hands and hearts.
Finding new ways to help your loved one continue to interact with you is challenging. What works for one person may not do so well for another. Trial and error is the key to finding what works for today, but keeping in mind that tomorrow may be completely different is important. Beneficial activities for people with dementia are those that are chosen to help their specific needs.
One top activity to choose is listening to music. Research conducted by Dr. Gottfield Schlaug at the Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory of the Harvard Medical School has shown that various kinds of brain injury may benefit from music therapy in ways previously not understood. Listening to music is shown to help develop the area of the brain responsible for creating new neural pathways after strokes. Some patients with dementia are able to sing songs learned decades earlier, even when they may not be able to speak much at all.
Tossing a ball can help to strengthen muscles and eye to hand coordination. This interactive play is fun, and for patients mobile enough to take the activity outdoors, a change of scenery is an added benefit. Small, soft balls can be used for patients who are bedridden, too. It is easy to do on top of smoothly tucked blankets. Many people are delighted with the childhood fun of it all.
Many patients derive deep pleasure from using crayons to color pictures. This is a pastime that can be very calming, soothing, and brings memories of childhood fun. The chance to choose favorite colors allows everyone to have a feeling of control which often carries over into the rest of day, long after the art session is done.
Anyone who can hold a camera, or a cell phone equipped with one, can enjoy an hour or so taking pictures. Looking through the lens to capture just the right image is a stimulating activity that keeps the brain working on a nice task. Encourage a loved one to take photos of everyone there. This is one of the best times for developing a family record of that individual and good times spent together.
Planting seeds is a great thing for those who love to garden. It does not matter whether this can be done outside or using containers inside. Simply digging in the dirt and placing each seed in the right spot will encourage physical activity and maintain fine motor coordination. As the seeds are nurtured and grow into plants, high delight often follows.
Loving memories are part of the baking process. Putting together an afternoon cookie baking session is one way to create some fun and revisit the sharing times which we all crave. Kneading and shaping dough into delicious treats can be followed by eating some of them together. All of these are good for both hands and hearts.