Memory Care & Activities for Seniors

When it comes to Memory Care, we are absolutely convinced activities help brighten the day while they help with small and large muscle coordination and stimulate the brain. Enjoy the moments and do not expect projects completed. Activities should be more stage appropriate depending on the patient.

• Gardening is an awesome hobby. Blooming flowers emit fragrances that alone can lift the spirits. Planting a garden brings a particularly tactile experience for Mom. Feeling the cool, moist soil between her fingers combined with the earthly smell stirs up sensations during the process that are sure to stimulate the brain and awaken Mom’s senses. Gardening also creates a sense of accomplishment. If Mom has been feeling overwhelmed or depressed, this tactile experience can help brush it away, at least for the moment.

• Singing songs will challenge her brain as she tries to remember the words. If Mom had piano skills, playing would stimulate the brain and exercises finger coordination. Mom will find that sadness or depression lifts while listening to upbeat and cheerful songs.

• Let Mom help with chores around the house to stimulate large muscle coordination and strength. Folding laundry is a good example of an exercise for the mind as the brain remembers how to make the neat folds and creates a challenge for small motor muscles.

• Watch family movies or videos. This is a visually exciting activity, evoking happy memories (you wouldn’t show any other kind) while helping Mom remember the faces she sees in her everyday life but often forgets how they fit into her life.

• Work on simple puzzles. Puzzles combine tactile sensations (as Mom’s hands feel the various shapes of the puzzle pieces) with coordination of small motor muscles. Pick a brilliantly colored puzzle to stimulate the visual senses. Do not feel disappointed if Mom does not finish the puzzle. It’s the process, the exercise, that is important.

• “Cook” together. Cooking is an especially important bonding activity. Keep the recipes simple (perhaps making a small salad or no-bake pudding or fruit snack cups) and you might also find yourself surprised to see her regain confidence and act like the head chef. Even if only for that moment in time, wonderful things happen.

• Some people love to organize things. Perhaps Mom was a scrapbook maker or a quilt maker or liked to find mates for all the socks in the sock drawer. Not only will she enjoy doing these tasks again if they are kept simple but it’s good exercise for the brain.

• Knitting or crocheting. You have to have nimble fingers to knit or crochet. If you can find larger size needles that are easier to handle and brightly colored wool, Mom may enjoy seeing simple patterns emerge from her fingertips.

• Read the newspaper or look at books that Mom used to love. If she can’t read them anymore, read them to her so she can visualize the story of her beloved characters. Magazines, too, are an option if there’s a particular hobby or magazine she loved.

If you want to talk to someone about activities for Alzheimer’s patients, please contact us. We look forward to giving your loved one quality Alzheimer’s home care.