[16] Dementia Horizons: Meaningful Activities

Dementia Horizons™ | Workshop 16 | Meaningful Activities

Video Module [16] Transcript

Welcome. Thank you for joining me today. Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday activities. It is divided into three stages, early, middle, and late. Each stage presents unique challenges and requires different approaches to care and engagement. Meaningful activities can enhance the quality of life for individuals living with Dementia, providing a sense of purpose, reducing distress, and improving overall well-being. This video offers practical tips and ideas for creating meaningful activities tailored to each stage of Dementia.

In the early stage of Dementia, individuals may experience mild memory loss and changes in cognitive function, but can still participate in many activities with minimal assistance. This stage focuses on maintaining independence, stimulating the mind, and encouraging social interaction. This can include puzzles and games, word searches, crosswords, Sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles. Encourage reading books, newspapers, or magazines, and writing letters or journaling. Introduce new hobbies such as painting, playing a musical instrument, or learning a new language. The key is to work on learning something new and different to challenge the brain.

Physical exercise is crucial for overall health, improving mood and reducing anxiety. Consider regular walks in the park or around the neighborhood, or exercise classes, yoga, tai chi, or dance classes and gardening. Planting flowers or vegetables provides a sense of accomplishment.

Maintaining social connections can be described as a meaningful activity, and can help prevent feelings of isolation and depression. This can be accomplished by joining a book club, participating in senior center activities, attending faith-based services or joining hobby groups. Consider volunteering, participating in community service, or helping at local organizations. Regular visits and outings with family and friends are wonderful ways to sustain relationships. Encourage regular, shorter visits to prevent fatigue. Be sure to share how best to communicate or engage differently, as language skills and the ability to initiate conversation or activities can be altered.

Include creative and therapeutic modes of expression. Many people with Dementia enjoy arts and crafts, such as drawing, painting, knitting, or scrapbooking. Music is another important way to spend time. You can play an instrument, sing or listen to your favorite songs, take photos or create albums or scrapbooks.

As Dementia progresses to the middle stage, individuals may require more assistance with daily activities, and experience increased confusion and memory loss. Activities should be simplified, and focus on familiar tasks that provide comfort and enjoyment. It is important to adapt activities to match the person's abilities. This means simpler puzzles and games, such as larger pieces of jigsaw puzzles, matching games and picture-based activities, short stories, audio books, and magazines with lots of pictures. Consider looking at old photos, discussing past experiences, and creating a memory box with cherished items.

Also, physical activities such as chair exercises, stretching, seated yoga, or gentle movements should be modified to ensure they are safe and enjoyable. Enjoy playing balloon volleyball: a fun, low impact way to stay active. Try nature walks: short walks in familiar, safe environments.

It may be appropriate to investigate adult day programs designed for individuals with Dementia. Continue to support creative activities focusing on enjoyment, rather than the end result or the finished product. Simple projects like coloring, collage-making, or decorating items. Listen to music, sing along to familiar songs, or play simple instruments like maracas, or encourage the person to tell stories from their past.

In the late stage of Dementia, individuals often have severe cognitive and physical impairments and need full-time care. Activities should focus on sensory stimulation, and maintaining comfort and dignity. Focus on engaging the senses to evoke positive emotions and memories. Use soft fabrics, textured objects and hand massages. Engage familiar scents like lavender, baking cookies or flowers. Offer favorite foods and drinks that evoke pleasant memories. Listen to calming music and nature sounds, or read aloud. Watch videos of nature, family photo slideshows, or light displays.

Even during the later stages of Dementia, gentle movement can be beneficial: guided movements to maintain flexibility and circulation, to promote relaxation and reduce discomfort. Assist with short walks in safe, familiar environments.

Don't forget to provide comfort and emotional support at this stage. Engage in gentle conversation, holding hands and providing reassurance. Play recordings of family members or friends. Minimize noise to maintain a peaceful setting. A sense of security can be created by caring for a soft doll or stuffed animal. Caregivers can also offer quilts with various textures and attachments to keep hands busy.

Caregivers, be patient and flexible. Understand that abilities and preferences may change from day to day. Be willing to adapt activities accordingly. Allow the person to do as much as possible independently, offering support only when necessary. Offer praise and encouragement to boost confidence and motivation. Focus on the process, not the outcome. The enjoyment and engagement in the activity are more important than completing it perfectly. Enjoy the moments together. It is an invaluable life skill to learn.

Creating meaningful activities for individuals with Dementia requires understanding their abilities, preferences, and the stage of their condition. By focusing on activities that promote cognitive stimulation, physical movement, social interaction, and creative expression, a caregiver can significantly enhance the quality of their loved one's remaining life. Remember, the goal is to provide joy, comfort, and a sense of purpose, helping individuals living with Dementia to live their lives to the fullest.

Once again, you've taken the time to consider all the wonderful ways you can help your loved one. As discussed today, non-medical therapies can have the greatest impact on both you and the one you care for. You are the light and sunshine that make all things possible. Thank you for joining me today to learn more about how to create meaningful activities.

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