This past year, families across the globe have been forced to quickly adapt to new routines. In the United States, 19% of those families include an unpaid family caregiver looking after an older adult with specialized needs. As a dementia care professional, I’ve heard countless stories from family caregivers of how the pandemic has disrupted their ability to keep their loved ones…
Keep seniors engaged with a variety of fun activities Having lots of fun activity ideas on hand helps prevent boredom, boost mood, reduce agitation, and improve quality of life for older adults. To give you plenty of options, we found a fantastic free website called Maria’s Place that’s full of creative activity ideas for seniors. They’re simple, fun, and adaptable for all…
Coloring prevents boredom and has health benefits Boredom in older adults can contribute to issues such as anxiety, depression, or challenging behavior in someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Plus, seniors who have recently moved in with relatives or into assisted living are more likely to be bored because their lifestyles have changed so much. As a bonus, coloring may sound like a…
Aging shouldn’t mean giving up comfort or independence, yet everyday tasks can become frustrating for seniors with limited mobility, arthritis, or fatigue. The good news? Simple, affordable products can make a world of difference.
For seniors with dementia, traditional storytelling can feel frustrating when memories fade, but TimeSlips flips the script by celebrating imagination instead of facts. This innovative, evidence-based activity uses open-ended images to spark creative group stories, where every contribution is valued and there are no wrong answers. Perfect for all stages of dementia, TimeSlips reduces anxiety, boosts self-expression, and creates joyful connections between…
Engaging activities help seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia Everyone needs to feel engaged and entertained. Just because someone has Alzheimer’s or dementia doesn’t mean that need disappears. Because of their cognitive decline, how seniors get that engagement may have to change. Activities with no right or wrong are highly recommended because they’re fun, satisfying, and give a much-needed sense of accomplishment. These type of activities…
Music is great for seniors with dementia Music benefits seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia in many ways. Multiple research studies confirm this and documentaries like Alive Inside allow us to witness music’s amazing effect on older adults. Music has even been shown to be more effective than medication in boosting mood, reducing anxiety and agitation, and increasing happiness and engagement – even…
Soft toys bring comfort to seniors with dementia When someone has Alzheimer’s or dementia, they may frequently become anxious or agitated. An effective, drug-free way to calm and soothe is to give them a soft toy they can cuddle and interact with. We share some wonderful lifelike robotic pets and explain how they help seniors with dementia, the benefits of a faux…
Classic games are fun for seniors Games are perfect for a relaxing visit with your older adult. Some are great for groups, like when grandkids visit, and others are ideal for quality one-on-one time. Games are great for senior brain health Don’t underestimate the health benefits of playing games! They improve senior brain health by encouraging different ways of thinking — strategy,…
Music improves health, mood, and sleep Music has many therapeutic benefits for seniors and sometimes helps more than medication. In documentaries like Alive Inside, we’ve seen how music can deeply affect older adults with cognitive issues. This study showed that in stressful pre-surgery situations, patients who listened to music rather than taking anti-anxiety meds actually had less anxiety and lower cortisol (stress)…
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