Engage Seniors With Dementia Through Familiar Activities That Trigger Their Interests

There is no one-size-fits-all activity program for seniors with dementia. Not all seniors have equivalent levels of mental acuity or cognition. As a result, activity programs for seniors with dementia must be focused on the individual resident and tasks that are both familiar and intriguing to the resident. For instance, if a senior with Alzheimer’s disease shows an interest in folding clothes, the activity can be turned into a daily ritual. The effect of performing these familiar tasks is often a decrease in negative behaviors and agitation.

Identify Activities The Resident Shows An Interest In

Some residents express an interest in performing a familiar task or are able to communicate their desire to engage in a type of activity. However, many residents with dementia have difficulty communicating their wants and needs. Therefore, residents with dementia must often be exposed to several activities before a demonstrated interest can be identified. Introduced activities can be mental, social, physical, or creative in nature. Some activities can be simply tactile for residents with advanced dementia. For example, holding and petting a stuffed animal can have a calming effect on residents with dementia. (To buy an excellent stuffed pet for your loved one with dementia visit http://memorablepets.com. You can also donate a stuffed pet anonymously through their Pets 2 People program).