How Assisted Living Facilities Use Fun Activities To Aid Residents With Alzheimer's

10 March 2016
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Assisted living facilities often offer special services for their residents who are suffering from memory disorders like Alzheimer's. Memory care wings are created to provide additional security and monitoring services to meet the needs of those who require it the most. In addition, they provide extra programs that may help to slow the progression of the illness, as well as give the residents a higher quality of life.

How They Organize

Many facilities will offer activities that can be enjoyed by the residents through participation or through observation. This makes it possible for more people to be involved in the activity. Since the disease is progressive, and each resident may be at different stages, it would be impossible to offer one option that would be appropriate for everyone. In addition, for each activity the residents are divided into small groups. This makes it easier for them to get individual attention as needed and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed with a larger crowd.

Adding More Exercise

Activities that involve exercise are useful because they stimulate elderly people mentally, but also help them physically too. Low impact exercises, like walking or performing small tasks like setting a table or watering plants, can be enough for some residents. Even those who are confined to a wheelchair or have problems with balance and mobility can perform arm exercises. Music can be added to provide even more stimulation.

Arts and Crafts

Creating their own artistic projects not only provides mental stimulation, it is also helpful for their manual dexterity. Simple crafts that make it possible for each person to express themselves how they would like, rather than follow complex instructions, are best. Painting, knitting or modeling with soft clay can be soothing to people who have always enjoyed working with their hands.

Performing Household Tasks

Housekeeping, cooking and gardening tasks are often enjoyable to residents and help them to feel a better sense of purpose. Basic chores like dusting, watering or weeding a community garden or cooking a simple dessert are safe when done with supervision and they also provide the exercise to help reduce restlessness and improve sleep.

Alzheimer's patients benefit from socializing and staying active. It is better for them physically, emotionally and mentally when they are living a full, active life. Assisted living, like Haven  Care, is a wonderful opportunity for these patients because it makes it possible for them to have access to more activities than they may have had at home. Most facilities with memory care divisions are working diligently to incorporate as many programs as possible into the lives of their residents to increase their happiness and help them to potentially live longer.