The University of Kentucky Public Relations & Strategic Communications Office provides a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media. This week's column is by a neurologist and director of clinical trials at 好色先生鈥檚 Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2024) - Adapting activities for individuals with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease is essential for maintaining their engagement and well-being. As Alzheimer鈥檚 progresses, activities that were once routine can become challenging. Here鈥檚 how caregivers can help loved ones enjoy meaningful and fulfilling experiences
Make Activities Accessible
Choose tasks that align with their current abilities. Simple activities like folding laundry, watering plants or cooking together can spark joy. Music, whether listening, singing or dancing, often evokes positive emotions and connections. Pets can also provide comfort, offering opportunities to feed, groom or simply sit together. Try to find something that fits with past interests that enriches enjoyment and engagement.
Encourage Social Interaction
Visitors are vital, even if the person may not fully recognize them. Keep the number of visitors at any one time low to avoid overwhelming them with excessive stimulation that may cause anxiety and or behavioral problems. Prepare friends and family by explaining how Alzheimer鈥檚 affects behavior and memory. Suggest engaging activities like sharing stories or playing simple games. Outings to a park, a quiet caf茅, or a familiar community event can also enrich their day.
Plan for Holidays and Special Events
Holidays can bring both joy and stress. Incorporate familiar traditions and create quiet spaces where the person can relax. Do not rearrange furniture or drastically change the appearance of their home/comfort zone. Limit large gatherings and embrace smaller, more manageable celebrations. Use rotating schedules for visitors to help keep the groups smaller. When traveling, plan rest periods and maintain routines to reduce anxiety.
Prioritize Their Well-Being
Pay attention to cues of frustration or fatigue and adjust activities accordingly. Sometimes, simply sitting and observing brings the most comfort. Make sure you have a 鈥渟afe room鈥 that the person can retreat to if the event becomes overwhelming. Caregivers should also prioritize their own self-care, asking others for help as needed.
By adapting activities with patience and creativity, caregivers can foster meaningful moments that bring joy to both the individual with Alzheimer鈥檚 and their loved one during both this holiday season and throughout the year.
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