Following are some ideas for useful and interesting activities:
Helping with chores gives the person a feeling that they are still part of the household. Examples include: setting the table, folding the laundry, sweeping the floor, and sorting the silverware. Exercise releases tension, meets physical needs, and provides a feeling of accomplishment. A stationary bicycle or easy video can be used effectively. Gardening – simple tasks under supervision can provide satisfaction as the person “watches their garden grow’. Arts and Crafts – i.e., making pencil holders or vases from tin cans, trivets with glued tile pieces, painting shells and stringing beads for jewelry. Games appropriate to the individual’s level of function can be stimulating. Puzzles can be fun but first find the most appropriate for their stage. Sorting buttons, cards, coins, keys or socks can be a good activity for a lower functioning individual.
Drives to interesting places can be calming and life enhancing. A trip to the zoo, the botanical garden, or to a Florida Wetland is fun and provides the basis for positive communication. Reading aloud and using visual aids to share stories, poems and pictures about days gone by. Use of a VCR or DVD player – old movies can bring back pleasurable memories. Nature and travel films move more slowly and are easier to follow. Never have a person with A.D. watch the news. Especially during time of impending hurricanes- this can serve to agitate unnecessarily. Scrapbooks to put in favorite or treasured small items or pictures. Busy Boxes and Reminiscence Boxes can include everything from kitchen gadgets to sports equipment, sewing supplies, or cosmetics depending on the gadgets to sports equipment, sewing supplies, or cosmetics depending on the person’s interests and the safety of the objects. Music which the person enjoys can be soothing or stimulating. This includes everything from active listening to sing-a-longs.Meaningful activities can give the A.D. person a feeling that they are making a worthwhile contribution and thus enhance their self-esteem. Some positive ways to introduce an activity are: “Can you please help me with…” or “Could you show me how you do …., “ “It would be nice if you would make this for me.” It is not a good idea to ask the person to do a simplified version of an activity or craft in which they once excelled, as this could be upsetting. Above all, the A.D. person needs to feel a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction and involvement from the activities you are presenting. And as we know, caring for pets provides a sense of accomplishment.
As a former Activities director in long term care I understand the importance of activities. We have hired an assistant care manager with a degree in psychology and experienced at Activities Planning for seniors. Please call our office or visit us online at www.agooddaughter.com if you are interested in setting up an activities program for your loved one with Alzheimer's disease.
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