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.
Strengthening eye and hand muscle coordination may be accomplished by simply tossing balls back and forth to each other. This is fun for many patients even if they cannot get out of bed. Rolling a ball across blankets for a bed ridden person can be as stimulating as for one who is able to play outside. The activity can be included with a nice scenery change if the patient can be taken to a garden or yard. Soft balls should be chosen as these are easy to grab and throw, with light weight that is more easily managed for those less strong.
To bring back happy memories of childhood while improving small motor coordination, try coloring books and crayons. Many people enjoy choosing colors and pictures, happily filling in the various shapes. It is an easy joy that allows for plenty of artistic expression without the frustration of complicated artist tools.
Taking photos together allows for several wonderful results. The patient capable of holding the camera can enjoy a favorite hobby, and looking for new subjects through the lens can stimulate the brain to function. Being the subject of the photo can be delightful for anyone who loves to have their picture taken. Preserving a record of how that individual looked on that day is also important for loved ones to have as a keepsake.
A gardener can think of nothing more wonderful than digging into the warm soil and planting things. Coordinating a gardening day is a great way for getting out into the sunshine and encouraging physical movement. Eventually, the seeds that are planted will grow, being watched along the way. If the patient is not able to go outside, then bring the materials indoors to him or her and create potted plants.
Baking cookies at home is a pastime that brings back happy thoughts of pleasant times. The process of kneading dough and shaping it into the small delicious treats is very good for the hands and arms. Having the chance to decorate the baked cookies allows for artistic expression. Eating the results is a time of sharing food, which all humans crave.
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.
Strengthening eye and hand muscle coordination may be accomplished by simply tossing balls back and forth to each other. This is fun for many patients even if they cannot get out of bed. Rolling a ball across blankets for a bed ridden person can be as stimulating as for one who is able to play outside. The activity can be included with a nice scenery change if the patient can be taken to a garden or yard. Soft balls should be chosen as these are easy to grab and throw, with light weight that is more easily managed for those less strong.
To bring back happy memories of childhood while improving small motor coordination, try coloring books and crayons. Many people enjoy choosing colors and pictures, happily filling in the various shapes. It is an easy joy that allows for plenty of artistic expression without the frustration of complicated artist tools.
Taking photos together allows for several wonderful results. The patient capable of holding the camera can enjoy a favorite hobby, and looking for new subjects through the lens can stimulate the brain to function. Being the subject of the photo can be delightful for anyone who loves to have their picture taken. Preserving a record of how that individual looked on that day is also important for loved ones to have as a keepsake.
A gardener can think of nothing more wonderful than digging into the warm soil and planting things. Coordinating a gardening day is a great way for getting out into the sunshine and encouraging physical movement. Eventually, the seeds that are planted will grow, being watched along the way. If the patient is not able to go outside, then bring the materials indoors to him or her and create potted plants.
Baking cookies at home is a pastime that brings back happy thoughts of pleasant times. The process of kneading dough and shaping it into the small delicious treats is very good for the hands and arms. Having the chance to decorate the baked cookies allows for artistic expression. Eating the results is a time of sharing food, which all humans crave.