12 Stimulating Activities for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s

If you have a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease, you likely know how coming up with activities they can enjoy can sometimes be difficult. This version of dementia can cause seniors to withdraw from activities, which means they need encouragement and likely an activity partner as well.

Meaningful activities are important for those with Alzheimer’s. Your loved one should be encouraged to try participating in hobbies or interests that gave them pleasure in the past. Don’t be afraid to modify activities to make them easier or simpler. Allow your loved one to take breaks and share feedback on each activity as well.

Benefits of Stimulating Activities

• Stirring up their memories
• Encouraging self-expression
• Fostering emotional connections with other people
• Lowering levels of anxiety and irritability
• Feeling more engaged with the world around them

Now that you know why these types of activities are so important for your loved one with Alzheimer’s, here are a dozen ideas to try:

1. Playing their favorite music and encouraging them to sing along
2. Arts and crafts including simple paintings or knitting
3. Simple cleaning tasks such as sweeping or folding towels for a sense of accomplishment
4. Tending to a garden or visiting a botanical garden
5. Reading the newspaper
6. Looking through books they used to enjoy reading
7. Baking cookies or other simple recipes
8. Putting together a small or simple puzzle
9. Watching old family videos or looking at pictures to bring back memories
10. Visiting with a well-behaved pet can be therapeutic
11. Playing bingo using traditional rules for fun and mental stimulation
12. Going for a short walk or going swimming

Elder Care Connection can help you find the best caregiver for your loved one in the Somers, New York area. Give us a call today at 914-908-6822 to discuss your specific needs.