The Best Mental Activities for the Elderly with Dementia

The Best Mental Activities for the Elderly with Dementia

According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, many physical activities that seniors participate in thinking that those activities are beneficial to keep them physically and mentally sharp aren’t as effective on the latter. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the majority of physical activities that seniors take part in does nothing to help them improve their brain function, apart from dancing. So, how is a senior to make sure that both their mind and body stay sharp, even at an old age? That’s the same question that many families ask who are caring for a senior family user. Making sure that your elderly family user participates in activities that keep them physically and mentally fit is extremely important, especially if they have been diagnosed with dementia.

Brain-Boosting Activities for Seniors with Dementia

Since the brain is the most important part of the body and allows a person to control various functions of their body, it is crucial to ensure that the brain continues to function well regardless of one’s age. Keeping that in mind, the following are just a few brain-boosting activities that a senior can participate in to make sure that both their mind and body remain active.

Drawing and Painting

Just because your loved one is old does not mean that they are not creative. If your elderly loved one has a creative side, then they can take part in painting or drawing workshops, or they can draw and paint in the comfort of their home. Painting and drawing are two activities that are a great choice even for those individuals who have never held a paintbrush before mainly because it is a fun and engaging pastime.

Boardgames

Furthermore, all those activities that allow your senior loved one to use their hands and stimulate their mind help to improve their hand-eye coordination. Some of these options include various board games, card games, and even bingo.

Arts and Crafts

While we’re on the topic of improving hand-eye coordination, arts, and crafts is another great option that can be extremely beneficial for seniors with dementia to help keep their mind sharp. By tapping into the creative section of their brain, newly-creative seniors can improve their cognitive functions.

Telling Stories

Seniors have lived a long and interesting life and will have plenty of stories to tell. The only problem is, with age, it can be difficult to recollect those interesting life experiences. Nevertheless, encouraging them to tell stories of their lives is another great way to help stimulate the mind and is considered to be an effective mental activity for seniors with dementia. Since it can be hard to recall certain memories, let them take their time and write it down or make a video or audio recording of the stories they do reuser. By passing those interesting stories down to their children and grandchildren, elderly folks can make sure their families know of the wonderful lives they have led, their hardships, struggles, greatest joys and achievements that are all part of life.