Fun Brain Health Activities For Seniors With Alzheimer’s

If your mom or dad has Alzheimer’s, playing brain games and doing activities that engage the brain aren’t just fun. They can slow down the progression of the disease and help your mom or dad maintain skills like spatial reasoning and other cognitive functions longer.

It’s important for seniors who have Alzheimer’s and are living independently to have Alzheimer’s care at home. The Alzheimer’s care providers who work with seniors who have Alzheimer’s have specialized training so they can work with your mom or dad to maintain their brain health for as long as possible.

By incorporating brain games and other activities into your mom or dad’s daily routine, a care provider trained in Alzheimer’s care at home can help your mom or dad have a better quality of life. You can do these games and activities with your mom or dad, too.

Some fun activities for your mom or dad to try that will also improve their brain health are:

 

Doing Simple Puzzles or Brain Games

Puzzles and games like crosswords, Sudoku, or jigsaw puzzles are excellent ways to stimulate the brain. These activities help improve cognitive skills like problem-solving, memory, and focus.

If your mom or dad has Alzheimer’s, it’s important to choose puzzles that match their current abilities to avoid frustration. Large-piece puzzles or simplified word searches can be great options.

 

Listening to or Playing Music

Music has a powerful impact on memory and mood, especially for seniors with Alzheimer’s. Listening to favorite songs or music from their youth can evoke positive memories and provide emotional comfort.

You can also make music a more hands-on activity by giving your mom or dad instruments or encouraging them to sing along. Playing simple musical instruments like tambourines or keyboards can be a fun way for them to engage with the music.

 

Gardening or Plant Care

Gardening gives seniors like your mom or dad both mental and physical stimulation, making it a wonderful activity for your senior parent. Whether it’s planting flowers, growing vegetables, or tending to indoor plants, this activity provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

The sensory experience of touching soil, smelling flowers, and observing growth can be calming and therapeutic. Even simple tasks like watering plants or arranging flowers can be enjoyable and promote mindfulness.

 

Creative Arts and Crafts

Artistic activities like drawing, painting, or crafting help your mom or dad express themselves and be creative. These activities help improve fine motor skills and provide mental stimulation.

Projects can be as simple as coloring with markers or creating collages with magazine cutouts. The focus should be on the process rather than the end result, making the experience fun and relaxing.

 

Memory Activities

Alzheimer’s can impact short-term memory, but many seniors retain vivid memories of the past. Memory activities like scrapbooking, creating family photo albums, or writing a family history tap into these memories, providing comfort and improving mood. Alzheimer’s care providers can help aging seniors with cognitive activities to improve health and well-being.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Care in Oyster Bay, NY, please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722