Empowering Activities for Elderly People with Dementia

1. Empowering Activities for Elderly People with Dementia If you have a family member, friend or relative suffering from dementia, it’s important to help them stay active and engaged on a regular basis. By keeping them engaged with activities that make them feel empowered and useful, you can help them to enjoy a better quality of life while also maintaining the bond between you and them. To improve their overall health and well-being, it is important to keep dementia patients involved in meaningful activities that they enjoy doing. Support from family, carers and friends can be extremely beneficial to those whose ability to achieve purpose and pleasure has become much more difficult. So here are a few good options you could consider to help dementia patients feel empowered. Gentle physical exercise When it comes to physical exercise, some elderly individuals will be more capable than others, but there is something out there for everyone. One great option for dementia seniors is to go for a light walk, enjoy the fresh air, sunlight and smell the flowers. Walking also helps to work off the restless urge to wander, which is common for dementia patients. You could try combining the walk, with a useful errand such as going to the shops, as this makes them feel useful and independent. Elderly people with mobility issues and dementia may also need daily living aids to help them get out for the morning walk. Some of the popular walking aids for elderly people in Australia are: ü Petite Wheeled Walker ü Ball Folding Walker — Days ü Ergonomic Handle Elbow Crutches ü Folding Walking Cane ü Walking Frame with Wheels and Skis For those who are still very mobile, you can also take them to a dancing class, yoga session or even water aerobics as such activities are both enjoyable but also strengthening. Engage them in discussions

2. Communication is critical for everyone, so even just by talking to an elderly patient with dementia is a great activity as it helps them maintain their dignity and self-esteem. A caring attitude, patience, appropriate body language and creating a calming environment are all important aspects when engaging in a conversation with a dementia patient. You can talk about things they used to enjoy discussing and help them to remember old memories. The use of visual aids, such as a photo album can help the person stay focused. Engaging seniors in a discussion can also be a great way to strengthen your bond. Listen to music Music can be extremely stimulating and soothing experience for seniors while helping them to connect with the past memories. Music awakens a part of the brain not impacted by dementia and evokes responses, such as singing and movement, and moments of reconnection with loved ones. Music has the ability to relieve stress, reduce anxiety and agitation. When putting on music for a dementia patient, it is important to be mindful of overstimulation. Avoid this by reducing competing noises, such as TV or outside noises. Lastly, be aware of your loved ones response to a song, if they love it play it more often but if they react negatively, choose a different song or genre. Engaging them in their hobbies Many people with dementia still enjoy the hobbies or interests they had before being diagnosed. Maintaining these hobbies helps them feel empowered and ensures quality of life. Gardening, knitting, and painting are some of the activities that elderly can easily engage with. You can try a few new things and see if they enjoy them if they don’t already have a hobby. Whatever hobby you choose to engage them with, be sure not to let them feel as if they have failed at it, therefor adapt any activity to their current skill level. For example, if they used to love cooking, instead of them preparing their own meal, they can help you prep a meal. This will allow them to have purpose and feel useful and is a fun activity for the both of you. Re-establish old roles There are ways in which elderly with dementia can make use of skills that have not been forgotten You should help to make them feel valued by asking for their help. Also, you could ask them to help tidy up or to sort out some magazines then thank them for their support. Other activities such as washing up, watering plants, sweeping, gardening or even buttering the toast. Encourage them to take on one task and make it their responsibility, no matter how small. This will make them feel useful and a way to contribute. Important tips to keep in mind when planning activities for an elderly patient with dementia

3. You will have to plan activities for seniors according to their personality. Are they an extrovert or an introvert? Do they enjoy group activities or do they prefer doing things on their own? Preparing a safe working area is also extremely important as people with dementia often struggle with visual perception and coordination. There for it can be beneficial to incorporate some daily living aids that assist them in making them feel independent. Some popular dementia assistive aids include: ü Sensory cushion ü Orientation signage ü Talking Alarm Clock ü Stop banner ü Door Mural ü Non-Slip Cup ü Vital Plate