Top Activities for Seniors with Alzheimer’s to Stay Engaged and Active

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, creating difficulty with memory, thinking, and behavior in the elderly. If your loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s, the condition may reduce their independence. But staying active is the best way to slow their disease and help them live a creative and happy life in their elder years. Below, we highlight some easy ways for your loved one to stay productive and the benefits of engaging with a memory care community in your area. 

Encourage Physical Activity

A physically active lifestyle is a healthy choice at any age. Studies even suggest keeping an active lifestyle can help protect the brain from deterioration during senior years. Staying lively keeps the body physically healthy and has positive effects on mood and cognitive function. 

Seniors can stay active by: 

• Taking a walk: Your loved one taking random walks can be worrisome for the families of people suffering with Alzheimer’s. But supervised walking or joining a senior walking group is a gentle way to boost health and retain memory as long as possible. 
• Fitness classes: Organized classes for seniors with Alzheimer’s allow extra care and attention for their needs. By adapting exercises for older bodies and supporting seniors with great communication, dedicated fitness instructors can create a safe, comfortable, and fun environment for seniors with Alzheimer’s.
• Chair Exercises: Some seniors have limited mobility. But this doesn’t have to prevent them from having fun with exercise. Chair exercises can be practised in their own space, or with a group of friends in a community setting. 
• Dancing: The love of dancing never goes away, no matter how old we get. Encouraging seniors to dance not only gets their bodies moving, it can rekindle memories of their youth. 

Opt For Creative Activities at Home or at a Memory Care Community

After a lifetime of working or raising a family, many seniors renew their love of the arts during retirement. When your loved one begins to suffer with Alzheimer’s symptoms, art can be a wonderful way for them to relax and express themselves. 

• Painting or Drawing: Drawing is great for anxiety and overall mental health. Many seniors unearth their inner creativity with just a notepad and some crayons.
• Crafts: Many seniors are skilled crafters, but worry about their declining skills as they age. Encouraging your loved one to continue their hobbies can keep their brain active and their mood boosted. Knitting, crochet, collage, and building models all help to keep the brain sharp. 
• Enjoying Music: Music can be healing and soothing to seniors with Alzheimer’s, who can often suffer with panic and stress. It can also trigger happy memories and help loved ones to connect with their past. 

Mental Stimulation and Cognitive Activities

Cognitive games and puzzles can keep the mind engaged. They may even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Puzzles and mental games can stimulate brain functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. Try some of the following to keep your senior’s mind active.

• Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles are excellent for cognitive stimulation as they need  concentration and problem-solving skills. Choose puzzles with fewer pieces to start with and gradually increase the difficulty if your loved one enjoys them.
• Memory Games: Games that require recall can help to exercise the brain and keep seniors sharp. Card games and memory games can be made more challenging over time, but starting easy enough to give seniors a boost in confidence. 
• Board Games: Games like chess, checkers, and bingo can be modified for seniors with Alzheimer’s, depending on their current abilities. Games encourage interaction, socialization, and mental stimulation.

Social Connection for Seniors with Alzheimer’s

Staying social and connected is key for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It prevents isolation, depression, and helps to maintain their emotional wellbeing. Meeting new friends in a memory care community can boost your loved one’s mood and improve their overall health. 

Help your loved one maintain great connections by:

• Promoting Group Activities: Crafts, exercise classes, and bingo nights keep seniors active. But they also offer lots of opportunities to make friends. The more connections seniors keep, the happier they will be. Even if they are a little shy at first. 
• Visits With Family: Spending time with the people they love brings the most overall joy to seniors. Whether your loved one still lives at home or within a vibrant Alzheimer’s & dementia care community, regular visits from family can boost their mood and help improve their memory. 
• Pet Therapy: Spending time with animals can reduce a senior’s stress and anxiety. Pet therapy programs can offer trained therapy animals to interact with seniors. And some senior living communities even allow pets to move in alongside their owners. 

Promoting Calm and Mindfulness

Anxiety, confusion, and agitation can be common symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This can be very distressing for seniors and your loved one may be feeling a wide range of emotions and mood swings. Mindfulness techniques and intentional relaxation can help foster a feeling of calm. Seniors can embrace mindfulness with the following: 

• Gentle Yoga Practice: Yoga instructors at senior living communities and groups can adapt yoga classes and poses for those with Alzheimer’s disease. Senior yoga focuses on breathing, stretching, and staying strong. 
• Meditations: Breathing exercises and meditation sessions can help seniors to focus on the present, letting go of impatience and anxiety in the moment. Simple visualizations soothing sounds can promote calm and focus. 
• Aromatherapy: Some essential oils are known for their calming effects. Lavender and chamomile are popular choices for achieving a peaceful state of mind. Using oils in a diffuser or as part of a group meditation session can add extra relaxation 

Help Your Loved One Stay Active at Ellery Arbor Memory Care

Alzheimer’s disease is challenging, but staying engaged with physical, mental, and creative stimulation can improve your loved one’s experience with the condition. Engaging with a memory care community can keep your loved one active without any extra stress for your family. 

With a focus on memory care, Ellery Arbor Memory Care offers a wide range of activities, along with professional care for seniors in Colleyville with a focus on memory care. To see how Ellory Arbor in Colleyville can benefit your loved one, schedule a tour today.