Posts Tagged dementia activities
February 5, 2018 at 8:00 am · Filed under Activities for Mild Dementia, Activities for Moderate Dementia ·Tagged activities for men with dementia, Alzheimer, Alzheimer Disease, alzheimer s association, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's activities, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's disease, Caregiver, caregivers, caregiving, Dementia, dementia activities
In the Midwest and other regions in the U.S., we have dealt with subzero temperatures, snowfall by the inches, and slippery, unsafe conditions for the past several days. If you usually enjoy being outside in fresh air, you might be finding it difficult to adjust to your new snowbound status. Most individuals spend more time indoors during the winter, but this is even more pronounced in older adults, those with dementia, and their caregivers. Persons with dementia may experience increased confusion due to shorter days, less sunlight, and disruptions from a normal routine. He/she may also exhibit “wandering” behavior which includes walking or pacing about and trying to leave a safe environment. Although not all wandering is bad, unsafe wandering has the potential to turn into a very dangerous situation.
To keep behavioral issues at bay, prevent unsafe wandering, and maintain levels of physical activity, consider frequenting a local indoor walking path or create a safe path to walk inside your own home. Many say that walking is one of the best exercises because it requires very little equipment, can be done almost anywhere, and can be done by almost anyone. Furthermore, walking with your person with dementia can help to channel wandering behavior into a safe outlet. As human beings, we have inherent impulses that drive us to be active and to seek out activity. Therefore, be deliberate in making sure your person is being stimulated and challenged at a comfortable level. And don’t worry, winter won’t last forever! 🙂
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February 5, 2018 at 8:00 am · Filed under Activities for Mild Dementia ·Tagged activities for reminiscing, Alzheimer, Alzheimer Disease, alzheimer s association, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's activities, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's disease, alzheimer's statistics, Brain, Caregiver, caregivers, caregiving, Conditions and Diseases, craft, definition of dementia, Dementia, dementia activities, dementia crafts, dementia facts and figures, dementia in the elderly, dementia statistics, dementia vs alzheimer's, Disease, diy, elderly, Health, Mental health, pomander balls, United States, what is alzheimer's, what is dementia
Feeling crafty? Make a homemade pomander ball! Pomander balls, commonly seen at weddings and baby showers, actually have very interesting historic roots. Learn more about the history behind the pomander here.
Buy rosettes at a craft store, create your own by shaping pieces of tissue paper, or punch/cut out flower shapes from scrapbooking paper. Use crochet pins to fasten each rosette into place on a large to medium sized styrofoam ball. Use the pomander ball as a centerpiece or tie a ribbon around the ball to be used as a hanging decoration.
Step by step instructions can be found here.
Remember, it’s the process not the product. Our primary goal is that the person enjoy themselves; it is not important that we create a flawless finished product. If it’s becoming apparent that the person is becoming confused or frustrated, leave the remainder of the activity for another day. In fact, it may be easiest to plan the activity over the course of several sessions, versus trying to do everything in a single sitting. If your person is further progressed in the disease, they may get more pleasure out of watching you do the activity or admiring the finished product. Be flexible and have fun with it!
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October 19, 2017 at 12:39 pm · Filed under Activities for Mild Dementia, Activities for Moderate Dementia ·Tagged activities for men with dementia, activities for reminiscing, Alzheimer, Alzheimer Disease, alzheimer s association, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's activities, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's chicken, alzheimer's disease, alzheimer's statistics, Brain, Caregiver, caregivers, caregiving, Chore, Conditions and Diseases, Cooking, cooking with dementia, definition of dementia, Dementia, dementia activities, dementia facts and figures, dementia in the elderly, dementia reminiscing, dementia statistics, dementia vs alzheimer's, Disease, elderly, geist, Health, mary ellen geist, measure of the heart, Mental health, United States, what is alzheimer's, what is dementia, woody geist
This activity idea comes from Measure of the Heart, a novel by Mary Ellen Geist, recounting her personal experience of returning home to Michigan to help care for her father who is diagnosed with dementia. Her father, Woody Geist, also appears in the HBO documentary “The Alzheimer’s Project”. The Geist’s resilience and candor in the face of this devastating disease is truly inspirational.
The following excerpt is taken directly from the book:
Alzheimer’s Chicken
- whole chicken, about 4 pounds
- 1 green apple, washed and cored
- 3 stalks of celery, rinsed
- 1 yellow or white onion, skin removed
- several sprigs of fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme, rinsed
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 3 tbs olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Rinse a 4-pound roasting chicken, removing and discarding the giblets from the cavity.
Place the green apple, celery, onion, and herbs on a large chopping board. Hand a not-so-sharp knife to the Alzheimer’s patient, depending of course on how far the disease has progressed. It may not be wise to do this for Alzheimer’s patients who’ve been living with the disease for more than ten years, but my father can still safely use a knife if I stand next to him and make sure he isn’t holding it upside down.
Let the patient chop up the fruit, vegetables, and herbs however the hell he or she wants to, without hovering and explaining how to do it! Don’t say: “No! Do it like this!” Remember: It doesn’t matter what the chunks look like or how big or small they are. The process can be liberating not only for the patient but also for you.
Open the cavity of the chicken and have the Alzheimer’s patient help you stuff the bird with a big wooden spoon. Put the chicken in a 9×13 inch baking dish or pan. Pour the red wine, olive oil, and a little water over the stuffed bird. Cook it in the oven at 350 degrees F for at least two hours, until the temperature of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F. Have the Alzheimer’s patient help you baste the bird often. Let it sit a bit after you’ve taken it out of the oven; then slice and serve.
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October 19, 2017 at 8:00 am · Filed under Activities for Mild Dementia, Activities for Moderate Dementia ·Tagged activities for men with dementia, Alzheimer, Alzheimer Disease, alzheimer s association, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's activities, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's disease, Caregiver, caregivers, caregiving, Dementia, dementia activities
In the Midwest and other regions in the U.S., we have dealt with subzero temperatures, snowfall by the inches, and slippery, unsafe conditions for the past several days. If you usually enjoy being outside in fresh air, you might be finding it difficult to adjust to your new snowbound status. Most individuals spend more time indoors during the winter, but this is even more pronounced in older adults, those with dementia, and their caregivers. Persons with dementia may experience increased confusion due to shorter days, less sunlight, and disruptions from a normal routine. He/she may also exhibit “wandering” behavior which includes walking or pacing about and trying to leave a safe environment. Although not all wandering is bad, unsafe wandering has the potential to turn into a very dangerous situation.
To keep behavioral issues at bay, prevent unsafe wandering, and maintain levels of physical activity, consider frequenting a local indoor walking path or create a safe path to walk inside your own home. Many say that walking is one of the best exercises because it requires very little equipment, can be done almost anywhere, and can be done by almost anyone. Furthermore, walking with your person with dementia can help to channel wandering behavior into a safe outlet. As human beings, we have inherent impulses that drive us to be active and to seek out activity. Therefore, be deliberate in making sure your person is being stimulated and challenged at a comfortable level. And don’t worry, winter won’t last forever! 🙂
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September 4, 2017 at 8:00 am · Filed under Activities for Mild Dementia, Activities for Moderate Dementia ·Tagged activities for men with dementia, activities for reminiscing, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's activities, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's disease, art, art and dementia, Caregiver, caregivers, caregiving, Dementia, dementia activities, garden markers, painted garden art, painted rocks, painting
Painting can be a relaxing activity that captures your person’s attention and keeps them focused. By keeping your person with dementia zeroed in on an activity, he/she is more likely to feel content, and behavioral concerns are less likely to appear. Recent research suggests that artistic activities may help individuals with dementia to express complex emotions, particularly when language ability fades. Art also provides intellectual stimulation for the person, which may help to keep cognitive powers sharp (although nothing can prevent dementia from progressing).
Furthermore, painting or (in this case) painting rocks is an activity that can be easily adjusted depending on the person’s remaining strengths and abilities. For instance, someone in the early stages of the disease may be able to execute a multi-step project over the course of a couple of sessions. The first session could consist of cleaning and sanding stones. The next session may involve painting a base color on a couple of rocks. The last session may include finer details (such as those seen in the ladybug picture).
Someone who is further progressed may do better with a shorter-term project with fewer steps, such as only painting rocks in solid colors or arranging (already painted) rocks in a decorative way. Even watching you paint or admiring your finished handiwork, might be pleasurable activities for someone in the later stages of the disease.
Materials you will need:
- Smooth rocks (either found outdoors or purchased from a craft store)
- Assorted acrylic paints
- Paint brushes (various types)
- Palette or mixing tray (e.g. paper plate, tin foil, styrofoam cup)
Helpful Hints:
- As dementia progresses, the individual will need more supervision and guidance.
- Consider using simple patterns for your design. Or you could add in more intricate details yourself, if desired.
- Wear a painting smock or old set of clothing that is ok to get dirty.
- Check out library books (such as those by Lin Wellford) for inspiration and step-by-step instruction.
- Be alert to signs of frustration or boredom. Adjust the activity, so that it is a good match for the person based on their remaining strengths.
- If the activity goes awry or causes the person to become agitated, be prepared to stop.
- Your finished rocks can be used as decoration, such as on a countertop or in a garden. A functional use for painted rocks is to use them as garden markers for various plants/herbs (pictured above).
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August 7, 2017 at 8:00 am · Filed under Activities for Mild Dementia, Activities for Moderate Dementia, Activities for Severe Dementia ·Tagged activities for reminiscing, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's disease, Caregiver, caregivers, caregiving, Dementia, dementia activities, dementia care, dementia in the elderly, dementia reminiscing, dementia vs alzheimer's
You probably know that pet therapy is an emerging area of research and application in care of people with dementia. While therapy dogs have special training and certification, any well-behaved dog cat, or rabbit can potentially bring a little joy and a lot benefits to a person with memory loss. While companionship is an obvious benefit, pets may also help with agitation, depression, and anxiety. It’s not uncommon to watch someone transition from emotionless to animated or from agitated to calm when a pet enters the room, especially if it triggers pleasant memories. However, keep in mind that the opposite reaction is possible as well!
Of course, to some caregivers, the idea of adding another thing to care for, no matter how cute and cuddly, sounds pretty overwhelming, so don’t feel as if you have to adopt a pet to get the benefits. Even having a friend bring a well-behaved pet for a visit is a great option. Of course, it’s important to be mindful of the pet’s temperament and energy level. In general, too much jumping and/or excessive barking may do more harm than good. Also, be sure that the animal is a good “match” for the person with memory loss. A 90 pound woman who’s unsteady on her feet probably shouldn’t walk an excitable St. Bernard; someone with thin skin and on Coumadin might want to stay away from a cat with sharp claws; someone who throws things when angry should probably be supervised around a small yorkie…you get the idea. Of course, animals are unpredictable, as can be people with dementia, so supervision if probably wise, especially in the beginning while everyone is getting to know each other.
Other tips for success:
1. People in the later stages of the disease may respond better to animals that remind them of animals that remind them of former pets. But be warned: they might not like having to leave the “family dog” behind when they leave!
2. People love to feed animals, so be sure to have appropriate treats available for the person with dementia to feed the pet or you might find that they get a lot of people food!
3. Even those in the late stages of the disease can enjoy petting a soft dog, cat, rabbit, gerbil, etc. Even just hearing a cat purr across the room can be soothing, so don’t feel like the animal has to be right next to the person to have a positive effect.
4. Don’t forget to reminisce!
More information about pet therapy can be found at:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers/how-animal-therapy-helps-dementia-patients.aspx
http://www.alzheimersproject.org/About-Us/News-Photos-and-Calendar/Latest-News/Pets-and-Dementia
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July 10, 2017 at 8:00 am · Filed under Activities for Mild Dementia, Activities for Moderate Dementia ·Tagged activities, activities for reminiscing, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's activities, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's disease, cookbook, Cooking, cooking with dementia, Dementia, dementia activities, dementia reminiscing, dementia vs alzheimer's, meaningful activities
Do you and your loved one love cooking? Maybe baking is what makes you feel at home. In either case, there is something to be said about the feeling you get when taking your first bite of a home cooked/baked treat.
Creating a cookbook with your care partner can be a fun way to reminisce and leave a legacy for generations to come. It can be as simple as compiling old recipe cards or as intricate as creating a recipe book online complete with pictures. Keep in mind that this project doesn’t have to be finished overnight. It can simmer for days, weeks, or months to come!
Step 1: Choose your recipes
What are your family’s trademark recipes? Is there anything that has become a traditional birthday dinner, holiday dish, or rainy day snack?
Step 2: Choose your Methods
You might want to talk with your loved one and decide on a type of cookbook that will best combine your creative style with your skill set. You could write out individual recipes on index cards to insert in a scrapbook, create a larger more intricate scrapbook, or use online websites (e.g. Shurtterfly.com) to make one digitally. Feel free to exercise creative freedom, engage others in the process, and make changes based on skills and abilities.
Step 3: Write your book
Try making the dishes as you go! Talk about the smells, colors, and textures of different foods. Use this time to reminisce and identify fun memories associated with your recipes. Feel free to include these stories in your book! Additionally, if your loved one needs more assistance in the kitchen, be sure to break down each task into clear simple steps.
Step 4: Share your book with others
A cookbook made with you and your loved one is a beautiful representation of your family’s traditions, history, and relationships. You can use this book and its recipes to share your story with other family members and friends.
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May 1, 2017 at 8:00 am · Filed under Activities for Mild Dementia, Activities for Moderate Dementia ·Tagged Alzheimer's, alzheimer's activities, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's disease, cleaning, Dementia, dementia activities, dementia behaviors, dementia in the elderly, dementia reminiscing, dementia vs alzheimer's, household chores, spring cleaning
It’s that time of year again! The tulips and daffodils are in bloom, the sun is shining, and the weather is warming up to beautiful breezy temperatures. With all of the freshness of blooming nature, why not use this season to bring freshness into your home?
Not only does Spring Cleaning give you an excuse to scrub those areas that get little attention during the closed-in cloudy days of winter, but it can also reduce stress. Clutter and mess can be especially anxiety provoking for people with dementia as it can result in over stimulation. With too much clutter, people can be distracted by their surroundings, confused by the number of objects that they need to ascribe meaning to, and clutter can be a signal that there is work to be done. Additionally, clutter in hallways and walkways can be a fall risk. So, while working to clean and de-clutter your home, why not engage your loved ones in helping?
Ways to involve people with dementia in spring cleaning:
- Folding, hanging up, and putting away laundry
- Washing dishes
- Wiping down tables and countertops
- Dusting
- Sweeping
- Sorting through old magazines
Additional Tips:
- Break down larger tasks into simpler individual steps
- Encourage people to be as engaged as their skill set allows
- When sorting through or dusting pictures, magazines, etc., use this opportunity to reminisce. Just be sure to avoid saying, “Remember when…?”
- Take breaks when necessary. People with dementia often respond more readily to your emotions than your words, so be careful to not convey exasperation, anxiety or anger with your body language. Try to view these activities as fun and energizing!
- Engage people in cleaning tasks that they’ve done frequently or enjoyed in the past.
- Always pay attention to any safety hazards that could come up while cleaning.
- Remember that the value is in the process rather than the result. If your loved one’s task isn’t finished exactly the way you like it, that’s OK. Use these activities as a chance to engage physically, mentally and socially with your loved one and worry about the results later.
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April 3, 2017 at 8:00 am · Filed under Caregiving Tips ·Tagged Alzheimer's, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's disease, behavioral, Dementia, dementia activities, dementia behaviors, dementia best practices, dementia in the elderly, dementia vs alzheimer's, medic alert, medic alert + safe return, wandering
Location Devices
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, as many as 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander at some point during their journey with the disease. This behavior becomes dangerous when an individual with Alzheimer’s becomes lost and disoriented. The person may no longer remember their address, locations they were once familiar with, and possibly their name. The following products are designed to keep your loved one safe in case a wandering incident does occur.
MedicAlert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® 
The Alzheimer’s Association MedicAlert + Safe Return includes:
- A personalized identification bracelet for the person with dementia to wear
- A personalized emergency card for their wallet, on the card is their member identification number and the emergency toll-free number
- 24-hour emergency response service
- Optional identification bracelet available for the caregiver to wear, which alerts anyone in case of an emergency that this person is caring for an individual with a MedicAlert + Safe Return services
For more information: Visit www.medicalert.org/safereturn or Call 1-888-572-8566
PocketFinder GPS Senior Tracker
- Allows you to see the location of your loved one that is wearing the PocketFinder on them
- Allows you to view location on the app or on the computer
- For more information: Visit www.pocketfinder.com/gpsseniortracker/
GPS SmartSole®
- Has a GPS device located in the sole of the shoe and works like smartphone technology
- Refreshes and checks in with you every 10 minutes letting you know where your loved one wearing the GPS SmartSole® is located
For more information: Visit www.gpssmartsole.com/gpssmartsole/ or Call 213-489-3019
Freedom/Pal GPS Watch
- A watch with a GPS tracker in it that your loved one wears and a receiver that the caregivers has
- Allows you to view your loved one’s location via the website or your smartphone
- Allows you to set zones that are safe and alerts you when your loved one is outside of those zones
For more information: Visit www.rmmedicalsales.com/products.html or Call 952-457-3401
Mobile Help GPS
- Mobile Help is an emergency help button that requires the person wearing it to press the button, which alerts the 24-hour emergency call center.
For more information: Visit www.mobilehelp.com/ or call 1-800-992-0616
Micro GPS Tracking System
- Can be used for your loved one or for the car
- Options to set safety zones and when your loved one is outside of the set zones you will be alerted.
For more information: Visit www.gpstrackingtracker.com/Senior-Adult-Trackin or call 1-561-235-7878
Keruve Family Direct Locator
- A watch with a GPS in it
- Has a safety lock so that it cannot be removed by your loved one wearing the watch
- Can locate your loved one by simply pressing a button located on your receiver and their location and position will appear on a map located on your receiver
For more information: Visit www.keruve.com/ or call 530-303-8893
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December 12, 2016 at 1:00 am · Filed under Dementia in the News, Events ·Tagged advocacy, Alzheimer, Alzheimer Disease, alzheimer s association, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's activities, alzheimer's association, alzheimer's care, alzheimer's disease, alzheimer's statistics, Brain, Caregiver, caregivers, caregiving, Conditions and Diseases, Dementia, dementia activities, dementia facts and figures, dementia in the elderly, dementia statistics, dementia vs alzheimer's, education, Health, Mental health, public policy, United States, what is alzheimer's, what is dementia
The Alzheimer’s Association will soon be opening registration for the 2017 Advocacy Forum, and we would like to invite you to join us. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Advocacy Forum is a unique opportunity for Alzheimer’s advocates from across the country to gather in Washington, D.C. to directly appeal to their members of Congress about Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers, persons with the disease, and those that have lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s receive training and embark on Capitol Hill to tell their story and ask for policy change to support our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. In 2016, over 1,100 people from across the country (24 from Michigan) participated in this event.
Participants of past Forums have raved about this event as an empowering experience. After the Forum advocates feel charged up and ready to tell their story and make change happen. The helpless feeling that often accompanies Alzheimer’s for many is changed into a feeling of power and an opportunity to improve the lives of others.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s Advocacy Forum is also highly impactful for Members of Congress. In our experience, legislators listen intently when their constituents travel to our nation’s capitol to speak with them.
Alzheimer’s is a triple threat, with soaring prevalence, lack of treatment and enormous costs that no one can afford. If we’re going to address this triple threat, action must be taken by all levels of the government. Attending the Advocacy Forum is one way to take action, and we’d love to have you join us!
About the Alzheimer’s Association’s Advocacy Forum
The 2017 Alzheimer’s Association’s Advocacy Forum will take place March 27-29, 2017 at the Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, D. C. To register and for event details like schedule, location, travel, and more, visit http://www.alz.org/forum or contact Lindsay Brieschke at lbrieschke@alz.org
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