Just because you have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a related dementia doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. If there is something you wish you were better at, or something you’ve always wanted to try, now is the time to do it! There are many great classes on a wide variety of topics, from gardening, to computers and everything in between offered by local community colleges, senior centers, and city departments of recreation.
Classes can be especially helpful for those who have trouble with initiation. Executive function, or the part of the brain that helps us “get up and go” is often affected by diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Lewy Body Disease, but scheduled activities are often enough of an external motivator to overcome that challenge. If the person needs a little extra help, try looking at classes at senior centers or having a friend or family member attend with him/her to help give one-on-one assistance and help him/her feel at ease.
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