For seniors with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to keep their brains active. Cognitive decline occurs for several reasons, but one of the primary causes is failed connections between brain cells. When seniors force their brain cells to work overtime, it can boost overall neural health. Here are some brain-boosting activities that can help seniors with Alzheimer’s.
1. Do Puzzles
Puzzles are a great way to stimulate the mind. Caregivers should choose puzzles with bright colors and help seniors assemble them. It requires keen cognitive awareness to find the puzzle pieces that fit together, and constructing the puzzles strengthens the connection between the brain and the hands.
When the puzzles are finished, seniors will be filled with a sense of accomplishment, which can boost their overall mood. Caregivers can celebrate the accomplishments by gluing the puzzles to pieces of cardboard and hanging the finished pictures on the walls.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Assisting Hands Home Care is a leading senior care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
2. Use Brain Game Apps
Seniors who are tech-savvy may enjoy playing stimulating apps on their phones or computers. There are several apps designed specifically to keep the mind sharp, including Luminosity, Dakim BrainFitness, Eidetic, and Fit Brains Trainer. These apps seek to boost retention, focus, and attentiveness.
3. Listen to Music
Listening to music is a great way to stimulate the brain and promote mental clarity. Caregivers should play music by artists their loved ones enjoyed in the past and allow their parents to experience the musical sensations without interruption. This may stir memories, clarify thoughts, and boost overall cognitive abilities, and it’s an easy way to reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Frederick families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
4. Practice Handwriting
Writing words by hand is a good activity for seniors with Alzheimer’s because it combines motor skills with memory exercise. When people write down words by hand, they get lodged in the brain more clearly than when words are typed. To take advantage of this memory-boosting activity, caregivers can have seniors write letters, keep diaries, or write down some free-form thoughts. Writing also keeps the muscles and joints in the hands limber and healthy.
5. Bake Cookies
Seniors with Alzheimer’s enjoy feeling accomplished, and positive emotions can minimize cognitive decline. To help seniors with Alzheimer’s experience these positive feelings, caregivers should plan simple tasks with satisfying results.
Baking cookies is a fun way to put a senior’s mind to work, especially if he or she has always loved to bake. Ask your loved one to measure chocolate chips, stir together flour and sugar, and perform other tasks he or she can easily accomplish. Following directions keeps the mind agile and the body responsive.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to manage without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing Alzheimer’s care. Frederick Assisting Hands Home Care provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our caregivers help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives. For reliable in-home care services, contact us today.
