If you have senior loved ones, care for seniors, or are a senior, unfortunately, you probably know someone that is impacted by Alzheimer’s. According to recent figures, Alzheimer’s is currently listed as the third leading cause of death in the United States. Scientists are working hard to try and find a way to beat this devastating disease, but as of right now, there is no cure. Recently, there was a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s. On June 7th, 2021, the FDA approved the use of Aducanumab as a treatment on Alzheimer’s patients that can potentially delay the mental decline caused by the disease. To learn more about how you can get involved in the fight against Alzheimer’s you can visit the Alzheimer’s Association website. 

Caring for seniors that are dealing with mental decline can cause a lot of added stress to the senior care process. Alzheimers.net conducted a study and put together a list of some of the biggest challenges in Alzheimer’s behavior caregivers face:

• Agitation or aggression (25%)
• Repetitive speech or actions (12%)
• Wandering or restlessness (10%)
• Incontinence or constipation (10%)
• Late-day confusion (8%)
• Sleeplessness (6%)
• Refusal to eat (5%)
• Paranoia (5%)
• Refusal to take medicine (4%)
• Hallucinations (5%)
• Refusal to bathe (4%)
• Choking on food or liquids (4%)

As you can see, many challenges come with caring for the seniors that suffer from this disease. With all these challenges facing you in their daily care, it can sometimes be hard to find activities to participate in that are fun and beneficial to the senior. This blog aims to offer some fun activities that will help you offer the best life you can to your Alzheimers caregiving patients.

What level of activity are they capable of?

Knowing what stage of Alzheimer’s the senior is in will be the first step in determining what kind of activities they are equipped to handle. Each stage of the disease comes with its own group of limitations either mental or physical. 

Early-stage

Middle stage

Severe or late-stage

So, before deciding on a set of activities to start the senior on, speak to their doctor and determine which stage they are in and their limitations. It is also important to remember that, though caring for these patients can be difficult at times, no matter what stage or limitations each of the individuals suffers from, they each deserve the same level of care, love, compassion, and respect.

Activities for Alzheimer’s Patients

After determining the seniors’ level of ability, the 4 recommended categories of activity positively impacted and helped seniors with Alzheimer’s.

Social activities

Creative activities

Physical activities

Learning activities

Social Activities

Ensuring that seniors stay socially active for as long as possible helps make sure that their brain stays active. Here are a few ideas for social activities that are safe for seniors. 

Movies and local theater. This is a great way to entertain the mind and creativity and can be done with friends and family. If seniors are not able to attend these in person, you can always watch them from the comfort of their home. 

Visit your local library. Reading is a great way to keep the brain and imagination active. 

Staying in touch with your neighbors. Keeping in touch with neighbors is a great way to feel connected in the community. 

Visit museums. Visiting local museums and galleries is very thought-provoking. 

Never Stop Learning

Don’t underestimate the power of trying new things. Try to do something new each day with the senior, no matter how small the thing may seem. Trying new things helps to stimulate the brain and memory. 

Gather new information daily. This can be in the form of a new book, podcast, audiobook, informative movie, or whatever you prefer. 

Walk to a new place. Walk somewhere they haven’t before. Enjoy the fresh air and new scenery. 

Try a new hobby. Try out a new hobby that sparks their interest. Pick something they have always wanted to do but never have, such as painting, drawing, ceramics, model making, or knitting. 

Travel virtually online. There are so many resources online that allow you to explore almost anywhere in the world by searching online. With Google maps, you can zoom in and walk through the streets of almost anywhere in the world. 

Plant something new. Get their hands dirty and plant something new in their garden or a community garden.

Arts and Crafts

Start a scrapbook. This is a great way to reminisce on memories and get their creativity working. 

Woodworking projects. Start an easy woodworking project, a birdhouse, bird feeder, or a new shelf. 

Sewing or knitting. Make some clothes or make some Christmas gifts for grandchildren.

Create a cookbook. Put together a collection of all their family recipes, and maybe even try a few along the way. 

Color in a coloring book. Coloring books aren’t just for kids. Pick out a fun-themed coloring book and a utensil of choice and relax.

Play Games

Jigsaw Puzzle. These are always great exercise for the brain. 

Sudoku and Crossword Puzzles. These vary in difficulty level and no matter what level they are, they are a great way to strengthen your brain. 

Chess and Checkers. Brain exercise with the fun of a partner. 

Card games. Pick whatever game they prefer and they can enjoy alone or with company!

Counting coins. Counting and wrapping coins by hand is a great brain-stimulating and relaxing activity for Alzheimer’s patients. 

Play the memory game. Place random items on a table, somewhere between 15-20, and let the senior look at them for a few minutes. Take all the items away and give them a piece of paper and a writing utensil, now have them write down as many items as they can remember!

Reading and Writing

Keep a journal. Writing is a great way to activate the brain and exercise your creative skills. It is also a great way to de-stress and take care of your mental health.

Join a book club. We have already talked about how reading is so great for brain health but how about making it a social affair too? Get some friends together and create a club to discuss what they are reading. 

Write a memoir. This is a great way to reminisce on life and leave something for younger family members to read one day.

Read aloud. If a senior is unable to read for themselves, offer to read stories to them! If they are able to read, get them to read aloud to you.

Music and Physical Activity

Listen to music! Music already has proven benefits of helping with memory loss so this is a great way to relax. 

Sing and dance along. If the senior is capable have a little singing and dancing party. Dancing is a great physical activity, even if it’s from a chair, and singing in any form is a great way to make someone smile and raise their spirits.

Go see concerts or musicals. This is a great way to get seniors out of the house and enjoy some fun music.

Stretch. 

Take a walk. Bring a pet along if they have one! 

Try out senior yoga. Yoga has so many health benefits, mentally and physically. If a senior is not physically able to do normal yoga, there are alternatives such as chair yoga.

Activities for Seniors in Later Stages

Scent stimulation. Change up the smell of the room by using room sprays or an essential oil diffuser. 

Physical touch. This includes activities such as brushing their hair, holding hands, or giving them a calming hand massage. 

Sensory bean bags. Give the senior small bean bags made of different fabrics and textures, such as  cotton, velvet and silk, and filled with different grains.

Go outside. Simply getting seniors outside to enjoy some fresh air and vitamin D can be very important and mood boosting.

Visual stimulation. Change up small things in the seniors living environment to give them new things to look at. New plants, photographs, flowers, and decorations. 

Stuffed toys or dolls. This can give the senior something to cuddle and care for.

This list could go on with many more activities but the most important thing is to remember that each individual will be unique. Some may love certain activities, while it may cause a lot of stress and discomfort for others. Make sure you are getting to know the senior you’re caring for and paying attention to what kind of activities benefit them the most and bring them the most happiness. Always check with their doctor before starting them on any new activities to make sure they think that it is something that they can handle.