Creating Stimulating Activities For Alzheimer Patients

By Phyllis Schroeder


If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimers you might be wondering what types of activities that you can do with them to keep their mind stimulated. There are many great stimulating activities for Alzheimer patients that can be done with your loved one to keep them active and sharp. However, it is important that you find activities that the senior will actually be interested in doing with you.

Puzzles are a great to keep the senior thinking and trying to figure out what piece goes where. You want cognitive stimulation that will target the elderly persons mental and social skills. However, understand that people with Alzheimers have a mind of their own, and some days have their day already planned out in their mind. Sitting for hours to put a puzzle together just might not be on their agenda.

One of the best activities is looking through old photo albums. Seniors have a past and many of them often like to remember the good old days. Create a photo album that will make them happy to thumb through and see family members. When the individual is going through the album they are thinking and remembering which is great for Alzheimer patients to do.

Allow the senior to help with household chores. Its something that most people do on the regular and never think about the skills behind it. However, allow the elderly person to help with folding laundry, washing, and vacuuming.

Utilize arts and crafts this great for people who love to draw or paint. Most Alzheimers patients are able to continue expressing their feelings and words through art long after they lose their ability to speak. It is a great way for some to let out frustration and feelings. It is also a great way for the patient to communicate with other individuals who have been diagnosed with the condition. Often people with the disease can relate and talk to one another in ways that other people just do not understand.

After the disease has reached it final stage, it is then when the end of life team will step in to work with the patient, and family members. End of life care is for any patient for nearing the end of their terminal health condition. However, this can be prolonged for some with a bit of stimulation for the brain.

Arts & Crafts is also a wonderful way for these elderly people to express themselves. Drawing pictures encourages the mind to remember and respond to those memories. There is no need to worry about the senior having artist skills just give them a paint brush and let them be free. They will get so much pleasure from doing something that they think is masterpiece. You will think so to when you watch how hard they work at something which they believe you will love and enjoy.

It is very easy to find activities that will stimulate the individuals mind. You just have to do a little research and get a bit creative. If you know some of the past activities that the person has enjoyed just try to implement them in their new way of living now.




About the Author: