Dementia is a scary thing. It’s a disease that affects the brain and can worsen over time. It’s estimated that about 50% of people with dementia will eventually develop Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Many symptoms are associated with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia: memory loss, confusion, trouble communicating (both verbally and non-verbally), mood changes, etc. However, there are dementia activities you can do to slow down the progression of the condition and make life easier for both yourself and your loved one who suffers from this disease!
Social Engagement
Social engagement is one of the best dementia activities to help slow the progression. When you engage with your loved one, you keep them active and involved in life. This can be done by playing games together, going out somewhere fun or just talking to each other.
- Playing board games or card games with loved ones helps them stay mentally sharp and focused on what they’re doing at that moment in time. It also gives them something besides TV shows and movies (which may not be as stimulating) that they can focus on instead.
- Going out on walks around town is another great way for aging family members who have dementia to stay active while also connecting with nature around them.
- Talking with family members about old memories from childhood can help bring back happy moments from their past, which helps create positive thoughts about their lives today.
Physical Exercise
Exercise is a great way to keep your body and mind healthy. It can help reduce the risk of heart disease, depression and other health problems. And it’s not just suitable for adults; physical activity can also benefit people with dementia.
Studies show that regular exercise may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by improving brain function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). And if you’re wondering how much exercise you should do each week, try starting with 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days per week.
Music and Music Therapy
Music and music therapy are powerful ways to help slow down the progression of dementia. They work because they stimulate the brain and help it process information more easily, slowing down memory loss.
Many types of musical activities can be used as dementia activities. For example, you could sing along with your loved one or play their favorite songs on an instrument together (if they can). Music therapy also uses instruments like drums and bells to encourage movement in people with dementia who may otherwise be immobile or nonverbal.
Memory Games
Memory games are one of the best dementia activities to help slow down the progression of brain disease. These games can be played anywhere, including for children learning how to play chess or checkers. Several types of memory games can be played with cards or dice, but all have one thing in common: they require you to remember what was previously shown on them so that you can match up pairs at the end of each round.
Memory games are often used to diagnose someone’s cognitive abilities, but they’re also good for keeping your brain sharp and active even if there are no signs of dementia present yet!
Into the Nature!
Here’s another activity that can help slow down the progression of dementia: going out in nature. Your loved one may not remember what they had for breakfast, but they’ll never forget seeing the sun rise over a mountain range or swimming in an ocean. Nature is beautiful, calming and uplifting all at once!
Conclusion
There are many ways to help slow down the progression of dementia. Whether it’s through social engagement, physical exercise or music therapy, plenty of activities will improve your loved one’s quality of life and keep them happy. At the same time, they’re still able to enjoy them. If you want more information on how we can help your family member or friend with dementia in Florida, please call us at 321-600-4747.
