How Memory Care Activities Can Transform Your Loved One’s Life
/If your loved one has begun to experience memory loss or cognitive decline, you might be wondering if memory care activities could help support their well-being. The good news is, they can!
Because, despite all the changes that come with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the need for creative outlets that bring joy into daily life stays exactly the same.
While individuals with memory loss or those in memory care facilities may have different capacities for fun activities than they once did, those engaging experiences are still a crucial facet of maintaining well-being. These memory care activities not only help cognitive function and promote emotional wellness but also reduce feelings of agitation or frustration.
Our dedicated staff of memory care professionals is delighted to share some of the rewarding, meaningful activities that individuals with memory loss can engage with here in this blog. Keep reading to learn which memory care activities are safe and beneficial, from cognitive exercises and creative pursuits to sensory stimulation. Plus, our favorite way to create a memory care activities calendar for keeping recreation time stimulating and enjoyable.
What Memory Care Activities Are Possible?
Every person is unique, which means finding the right memory care activities will depend on the individual’s cognitive abilities and personal preferences. Below are some of the most effective types of activities, but if you need more direct, personal guidance for your loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
1. Cognitive Memory Care Activities: Keeping the Mind Active
Cognitive stimulation activities are excellent for enhancing memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. In fact, they’ve been shown to help slow cognitive decline while also providing a real, palpable sense of accomplishment.
These kinds of cognitive memory care activities are enjoyable for many ages, but they can be especially helpful in the early to middle stages of memory loss and dementia.
Puzzles: Simple jigsaw puzzles are a great way to stimulate the brain. Plus, they provide a pleasant final product alongside the sense of achievement they provide.
Memory Games: Not sure where to start with memory games? Try memory matching cards or “name that object” games to help your loved one recall familiar items.
Reading and Storytelling: Reading short stories or reminiscing about past experiences is a simple way to help your loved one feel heard, reconnect with positive memories, and experience mental stimulation.
2. Safe Forms of Physical Memory Care Activities: Improving Mobility and Health
Physical activity is essential for dementia patients to improve mobility, reduce restlessness, and boost overall well-being. Even mild, gentle movement can help boost moods, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep.
Yoga: Did you know that individuals can do yoga while remaining seated? While some may be able to participate in standing stretches, a gentle, seated yoga routine is a safe, restorative way to improve flexibility and relieve tension with less risk.
Simpler Exercise Routines: If a seated or standing yoga flow doesn’t spark joy, that’s okay. Activities like standing or sitting stretches, or simple hand movements, can be tailored to the individual's abilities.
Walking: A short walk around the garden, or through the grounds of the memory care facility, can provide fresh air and exercise while keeping your loved one engaged in their surroundings. Studies have shown that nature-based activities like this can also help support healthy sleep patterns and reduce anxiety as well.
3. Creative and Sensory Memory Care Activities
Creative activities are an important part of an active, fulfilled life — at any age! For those with memory loss in particular, though, opportunities for creativity can provide an opportunity to relax and reconnect with themselves.
Art Therapy: Drawing, painting, or crafting are simple, nonverbal ways to help encourage self-expression. Even something as simple as coloring in a coloring book can be enjoyable. Recent studies suggest that creative, art-based therapy could even help with sharpening the senses.
Music Therapy: Listening to familiar music or playing an instrument can stir memories and calm the individual. Most caregivers have found that music therapy is especially effective for those in the later stages of dementia.
Sensory Gardens: In addition to the sleep quality benefits, time in nature can also help improve mood in individuals with middle to late-stage dementia. That’s why our memory care community offers access to safe outdoor spaces where residents can touch, smell, and hear the natural environment.
Creating a Memory Care Activities Calendar
The easiest way to get overwhelmed with memory care activities is to dive in unprepared. That’s why we always suggest creating a memory care activities calendar to avoid caregiver burnout and keep your loved one engaged. It is something we do within our own community!
This simple tool can help you plan out the week or month ahead, making it easier to keep track of their needs and preferences. Here's how to get started:
Incorporate Variety: Include a mix of cognitive, physical, and sensory activities each day. Variety helps prevent boredom and keeps things exciting.
Keep It Simple: Don’t over-schedule! Too many activities in a day can be overwhelming for you and your loved one. Instead, plan for one or two meaningful activities per day, depending on energy level.
Incorporate Personal Favorites: If your loved one enjoyed gardening or knitting in the past, include these activities to help them feel more at home and connected to familiar interests.
Build in Social Time: If your loved one isn’t currently living at a memory care facility, be sure to schedule opportunities for socialization with others in the community. Group games or meal times are an excellent option for low-stress socializing.
Memory Care Activities Make a Difference
Your loved one deserves independence, dignity, and creative expression even as they experience memory loss or cognitive decline. That’s what makes memory care activities crucial, as well as their benefits for mental and physical health.
By including a variety of cognitive, physical, and sensory activities in your loved one’s day, you can help them stay mentally and physically engaged, improve their well-being, and reduce symptoms of dementia. Creating a memory care activities calendar is a practical way to keep track of their preferences and ensure they receive the care and engagement they deserve.
Remember, every person with memory loss is unique, so it may take time to discover the activities that resonate most with your loved one. The key is consistency, patience, and a willingness to adapt as their needs change.
And, you don’t have to do it alone! Reach out to our team of experienced memory care professionals to learn more about how we prioritize joy for our residents.
