Caring for a loved one who is in the verge of developing dementia may give you feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. You may want to find ways on how to delay the symptoms and make life easier for them. What you can do is to spend more time with them, and while doing so, it is vital to note the importance of doing some memory care activities with them.
Maintaining Routine by Doing House Chores
Simple acts of tidying up the house or accomplishing daily chores can have a big impact on your loved one’s brain functions. Doing something that they are used to do can reinforce routines that will strengthen a sense of familiarity within your loved ones. You can choose to cook your favorite meals together, or better yet assist them while decorating the home. Listen to their suggestions, and be patient when they have questions about things that you should do.
Hobbies Keep the Mind Sharp
If your loved one enjoys some hobbies, it is important that they continue doing them. If they have fun in the kitchen, cooking and baking with them can help them retrieve information from their memory as they recall the recipes and the step by step process. Engaging them in hobbies such as knitting and crocheting keeps them focused while keeping their brain functioning as they think of which patterns to create. These activities help keep their mind sharp and alert, thus delaying the onset or progress of dementia.
Play to Connect
You can also strengthen your loved one’s cognitive abilities by spending time with them through playing games. This will also give them a sense of accomplishment especially if they win a game. Playing will also make them feel more connected to you and their friends, thus decreasing the likelihood of them feeling isolated. A scrabble or a game of checker will not only help them keep their cognitive functioning in check, but also keep their motor skills active.
Music Brings Back Memories
The right kind of music brings a sense of calmness, thus lessening feelings of anxiety. As your loved ones listen to their favorite songs, they may recall important events in their life. This is a great way to keep their memory sharper.
Trying Something New
Aside from doing what is familiar to them, you may also introduce a new hobby or learning to your loved ones. Letting them do things they have not done before can activate their cognitive functioning since they need to store new learning in their memory.
Reading to Recall
Another way to keep your loved one’s mind sharp is to read with them or to them. Picking out and reading their favorite book brings back memories like music does. On the other hand, reading a new book may give them inspiration or new insights about life.
There are a lot of memory care activities that you can do with your loved ones. When making a choice, the most important thing is to let them enjoy every moment that they spend with you.
