Significance Of Meaningful Activities For Individuals Living With Dementia

Though cognitive function of someone who has Alzheimer’s or dementia may be declining, they still have abilities. The key to remaining active and maintaining skills longer is encouraging them to continue to do as much as they can at their current ability level. One doesn’t require a great memory to have fun, there are many things that offer us with pleasure and purpose. Meaningful activities- those that engage the person’s attention and connect with their interests- are very important for those living with dementia because of the fact that the condition can cause people to withdraw from activities and enjoyable interaction with family and friends. It is essential to maintain these relationships and interests to help them lead a better life. There are so many ways you can plan and provide appropriate activities for people with dementia, but make sure the activities play a role in boosting self-esteem, make up for lost abilities, maintain residual skills, offer an opportunity for enjoyment and social contact, and should be sensitive to your loved one’s cultural background.

The biggest benefit of purposeful activities for dementia is that they offer support as needed to help older adults maintain a sense of independence and accomplishment, regardless of the individual’s age or health condition.

Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s can take a lot out of you, but who says you have to do it alone? Senior Sanctuary of Anthem in Phoenix is there offering around-the-clock dementia care to senior residents in the hands of our trusted dementia caregivers who are highly trained and available 24/7 to accommodate your senior loved one’s schedule. We are an award-winning senior care livingin Anthem facility where our compassionate caregivers are expertly trained to help seniors with cognitive disorders function safely and independently. 

Here’s why dementia activities are so much important:

Slows Mental Decline- As we’ve already mentioned, continuing to do as many activities and daily tasks as independently as possible can be highly beneficial for older adults with dementia, which invariably will help them retain abilities and stay active for longer.

Gives Them A Sense Of Purpose- As dementia progresses, older adults often feel like a burden and encouraging them to participate in everyday tasks and activities can improve mood and quality of life. What an aging adult needs is to have an important daily practice that can produce a sense of purpose, such as meditation, walking, writing a journal- to name a few.

Reduces Challenging Behaviors- Agitation, aggression, repeated questions are common dementia behaviors, which meaningful activities can help reduce by keeping them engaged and occupied, and most importantly, giving them a way to channelize their negative emotions constructively.

Senior Sanctuary of Anthem can make a difference in your loved one’s life and work towards boosting his/her mental, physical, and emotional well-being through our memory care programs. The bottom line is meaningful activities have the power to truly engage those taking part in them and giving them a feeling of productivity in their day.