Engaging in activities is a way to keep your mind and memory sharp. Memory care patients should engage in activities that are new and not too familiar but don’t choose something too complex. Memory care patients should do something that keeps the brain stimulated. Here we will discuss some of the activities Alzheimer’s patients can engage in, indoors or outdoors. A more comprehensive list is available at the Alzheimer’s Association website.
1. Singing and Listening to Music
The elderly with memory loss do not always remember the words, and music is similar to learning a new language. Singing, playing, listening to music, and singing around the house can help your memory stay sharp. At Covenant Columns, residents can practice their vocal cords which will help them remember how to communicate when they visit their family.
2. Playing Cards and Scrabble
Covenant Columns provide residents with educational cards and scrabble boards. This helps patients engage in social activity with their peers, how interact with others, and how to solve problems. This is an excellent way for the elderly with memory loss to be involved in fun activities. They are not just reading but interacting with others by creating words and learning new rules.
3. Crafts
We provide our patients with different crafts they can engage in throughout the day, such as coloring, knitting, and crocheting. The handmade items are given to patients to place on their beds and given away as gifts for family and friends. You can also decorate the facility with crafts and use them to make holiday presents. We help them by giving them ideas and materials to start.
4. Make a Memory Box
We encourage or residents to make a memory box for showing family/friends and when they visit back home. Residents can create a memory bag with pictures, clothing, cards, and letters. They might want to put in a few personal items of sentimental value. Keeping these items may help them remember the past when they look at them. It is also great for family members to visit the patients in memory care facilities or nursing homes where the memory care center is located.
5. Visual Expression
Visual Expression is also known as art therapy. The art therapist provides patients with a large variety of options that they can use, such as watercolor paints, acrylic paint, and glitter. The art therapist will create and engage in the patient’s activity. This is a great way to improve a patient’s cognitive abilities by interacting with others doing the same thing. We have found that this activity is one of the best for Alzheimer’s patients as they seem to have a lot of fun while also creating beautiful pieces of artwork. These patients always seem to be smiling and enjoying their time creating art.
Our caregivers at Covenant Columns Assisted Living provides our patients with activities they can engage in throughout the day. We understand that engaging in different activities helps their brains stay sharp while they cannot care for themselves independently. Alzheimer’s patients, in particular, love to engage in these activities. They enjoy being carried away in their little world, where they can be creative and learn new things. The more the brain is stimulated, the better its chances of staying healthy and happy.