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Dementia patients: Keep them happy to get them going

Dementia patient

Dementia is a degenerative disease that affects the brain. This disease cannot be cured; however, the conditions and mental state of the patients can be kept stable. It is a well-known fact that socializing goes a long way in staying away from loneliness and desolation. There are several activities that dementia patients can indulge in. These activities could be similar to children’s activities, but should be designed for an adult. Listed below are few activities for dementia patients.

1. Solving Puzzles

The puzzles you select should be beyond what children do. Look for puzzles that are scenery based or maybe an animal. For large pieces, go for floor puzzles but do not construct the puzzle on the floor. Do it on the table instead. Also, board games are an excellent idea. Many old games such as ‘Go Fish’ and ‘Old Maid’ are recommended for dementia patients.

2. Creating a scrapbook and working with photos

This is a fun activity and they can sort photos either by topic, theme or date. A photo collage can also be created with various photos and can be pasted. Similarly, a scrapbook can be created with special moments captured and notes about the memory can be written. Old family photos can be collected and labeled.

3. Reading sessions

A book-reading session could be organized where in many books could be read out. Also, book discussions could be held on a selected book. You could also give old editions of magazines to them like Look or Life. Short story collections are also recommended and the Chicken Soup series are the best. Besides, bible reading and picture books are also suggested.

4. Incorporate memory games

It is very important to build the patient’s confidence and this could be done by helping him/her recollect pleasant memories. Extend your encouragement to the patient when he somehow loses trail of his thoughts with supportive phrases. You could also seek the help of memory books which will aid in facilitating memory discussions.

5. Humor based activities

Humor is the best medicine for any ailment. Watch comedy shows or listen to funny radio shows. There are plenty of shows to choose from. You could also start preparing a humor scrapbook. You could also recollect old family memories that will make you laugh.

6. Do housework activities

You can do the basic housework activities like folding towels and clothes, clean windows, etc. There are many garden activities that dementia patients can do. You could start with pulling weeds and start planting small saplings. Small potted plants could be replanted. This is an engaging and absorbing activity for the patients.

7. The ball-roll game

This game helps dementia patients on improving their focus, coordination while improving the way they interact with others. Arrange a long table and let the patients surround the table. Call on a patient’s name and let him roll a ball to someone else. If a particular patient has trouble in rolling the ball then encourage other seniors to roll the ball. This builds a support system and is a fun way of mingling with others.

8. Indulge in sorting and organizing things

Sorting things will definitely help the patients in building their mental strength. Start with small sorting activities such as organizing nails, small screws and other hardware items. Make-up items such as nail polish, lip-stick can be organized as per their color and styles. Buttons, coins and toys could be categorized into sets.

9. Kitchen work

The dementia patients could be allotted work in the kitchen. They could do basic cooking such as making salads, puddings, cookies and many other delicacies. These dishes can be planned properly by making a list of various groceries and compiling a list of ingredients that are required to cook up the dishes you have chosen. The dining table could be set and the crockery arranged.

10. Taking care of pets

Animals are best way of keeping dementia patients occupied, and away from lonely thoughts. Dogs are the best pets. You could also have rabbits and birds which are soft pets.

Besides those mentioned above, there are several activities that dementia patients can indulge in. This list is neither an exclusive list nor limited. Painting, musical activities, stitching-anything and everything that helps in improving the state of the patients and keeping them happy, can be included. The point to remember here is that dementia patients should be kept happy so that they do not have suicidal thoughts and fall into depression.

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