- Look at our residents go
- Activities involving socialization are an important aspect of mental health.
Engaging in social interactions may give them opportunities to practice listening, thinking quickly and behaving appropriately.
- It is also a way of being able to connect with others.
- Also, a great way to have fun and bring a smile to their faces!
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Great relaxing way to start off the morning with some stretches.
Bristol House Memory Care understands the importance of meaningful activities for Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia’s disease. Keeping residents engaged and staying involved is essential because it stimulate the brain and helps to reduce common dementia behaviors like wandering, sun downing, and emotional break downs. This enhances their quality of life and brings joy to residents from a social requirement of a person.
Bristol House Memory Care has dedicated activity director and a full team that makes this possible everyday with organizing special programs and activities that help preserve residents’ cognitive skills and promote a sense of pride, purpose, and well-being.
Bristol House Memory Care implements these topics in our daily planning with residents with Alzheimer’s and Dementia disease.
Exercise
Exercise offers a number of benefits for the body and mind, no matter our age. Regular physical activity helps to improve strength, stamina, coordination, and balance. Exercise may also increase blood flow to the brain, which research finds may help to prevent age-related memory loss and have a positive impact on the brain health of those who have Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
For older adults in the mild to moderate stages of dementia, some easy, low-impact exercises include walking, chair yoga, Tai Chi, and light weight lifting. In memory care assisted living communities, residents have opportunities to participate in low-impact fitness classes and activities with supervision from supportive, knowledgeable staff.
Arts and crafts
Over time, Alzheimer’s and other dementias can gradually impact a person’s communication and language abilities. But studies have found that creative activities—such as painting, drawing, coloring, knitting, scrapbooking, quilting, and sculpting—provide an outlet for self-expression among those who have trouble communicating. Researchers suggest that art allows Alzheimer’s patients to access parts of the brain that language doesn’t, helping them share their thoughts and feelings in an entirely new way.
Art is also a powerful way to stimulate the senses, improve mood, reduce stress, and promote a sense of purpose and accomplishment. With so many incredible benefits, it’s not surprising that art therapy and other creative activities are frequently offered in memory care communities.
Brain fitness
Puzzles, games, and other types of “brain training” activities may help to boost cognitive function and potentially slow the progression of age-related cognitive decline. The social aspect of playing games and puzzles can also encourage brain stimulation and bolster one’s cognitive abilities. For this reason, memory care assisted living communities will encourage residents to participate in brain exercises in the form of fun games and puzzles.
Music therapy
Music is well-known for its soothing effects and ability to evoke memories. For decades, people have benefitted from music therapy, which uses musical interventions to address physical, mental, and emotional needs. In a Stanford University study on music therapy, researchers found that music stimulates areas of the brain that increase blood flow. Older adults in the study who participated in music therapy even showed improved performance on cognitive tests. Many memory care communities offer regular music therapy for residents, which may include listening to music, singing, clapping, and even playing simple instruments like drums, bells, or tambourines.
As you can see, there are plenty of stimulating activities and hobbies that can help to boost quality of life for adults with dementia. Ultimately, the best activities are those that result in enjoyment and confidence