Everyone with a brain stands the risk of suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Every 6 seconds, someone in the United States is developing this disease and according to a recent estimate, around 5.2 million people in the US, of all ages, are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease right now in 2015. Among the predicted 5.2 million with Alzheimer’s, around 5 million are seniors, of above the age of 65 and approximately 200,000 people are under the age of 65.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans with the disease Alzheimer’s, are women. Reports reveal that the total number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease will continue to soar every year as the population of the US. In fact, by 2025, the number of people (of 65 years of age and above) having Alzheimer’s disease is predicted to reach up to 7.2 million. So what is the solution to such en epidemic disease that is hurting the golden years of our seniors? Are there any particular activities that can relieve them of the pangs of this disease? Read on.
Bringing back pleasure in the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease
By keeping the seniors active in their interests and hobbies that used to provide them pleasure in the past is vital while treating Alzheimer’s disease. Such activities might help them.
- Stirring their memories by speaking to them
- Encouraging and boosting self-expression
- Boost emotional contact with others
- Reduce the irritation and the anxiety caused due to the Alzheimer’s disease
- Make the victims feel more engaged with Life
In short, it is vital for the health care professionals to create some intensely meaningful activities for them. Always remember that Alzheimer’s disease impacts a person’s behavior and senses, apart from his memory. So, all the activities that he once enjoyed can have an overwhelming effect on them.
Some recommended activities
Here are some activities that you can try for your loved one. Ensure that there are certain activities that work differently in different times of the day.
- Play music or sing songs
- Organize office or household items, especially if the concerned person used to derive pleasure in such activities in the past
- Engage in crafts like knitting and painting. Keep the patterns and tools simple
- Cleaning the house and sweeping the patio, folding the towels, wiping off the dirt from the table. Such tasks can bless them with an awesome sense of accomplishment
- Engage in gardening or visiting a botanical garden
- Looking and trying to reach books that once caused pleasure
- Reading the newspaper
- Working on puzzles
- Watching old family videos or
- Cooking simple recipes
When a senior who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is completely on home care, you can consider engaging your loved one in some of the activities listed above. You, as a professional, should concentrate on the entire process of the activity and not always on the end result. At the end of the day, all that matters is that your loved one enjoyed the time spent on the activity and felt it was useful.