Seniors Health – Mental Health
10 Perfect Steps for Dementia Seniors or seniors with memory loss.
Brain Fitness and Fun – You may not know it, but many seniors sit alone or watch television much of the day, which provides little to no stimulation. And, many non-medical home care companies support this by providing not much more than a “babysitting service.” By engaging in some mental stimulation like “brain teasing” activities, you can keep your seniors more engaged and happier with their lives.
There are a variety of different types of activities that stimulate brain activity. As with any workout, variety helps make the workout more effective and more fun. Doing the same kind of activity over and over will only help to stimulate one part of the brain. You want to have the opportunity to challenge and build all areas of the brain.
- Changing Routines
Doing things the way you have always done them isn’t very stimulating for the brain. It just continues to follow the brain path it always uses, so no new brain pathways or brain chemicals are formed. In contrast, choosing to do routines differently will help to strengthen or activate new brain circuits or pathways and promote brain chemicals that enhance brain communication. - Reminiscing
Reminiscing involves remembering past experiences or feelings that generate pleasant thoughts through recall and the practice of thinking. Reminiscing can be accomplished by asking the senior to describe a past experience (growing up as a child, getting married, work experiences, raising a child, etc.). Using the senior’s personal photos or photos from that time period, music (or objects) related to the time period may enhance conversation. Care Professionals and seniors can even sing songs together. It can be easier for the senior to recall information through the use of music. - Practicing Remembering
This can become more challenging, so it’s important to eliminate this activity if it becomes too difficult or creates stress. The Care Professional continues with conversation for a minute or two, comes back to a series of numbers, letters, or words, and then repeats it. Using addresses and phone numbers of family and friends can be useful, from several perspectives. - Thinking and Recalling
This is a good way to monitor how quickly the senior can recall. An example of this is: “How many zoo animals can you name?”, and give the senior one minute to complete. Hopefully, with practice, the senior’s recall of the number of zoo animals might improve over time. Other lists can be used as well. Encourage your employees to think of what might be an interesting list for their seniors. - Performing Mathematical Calculations
Calculations require a higher level of function and are great tools to keep the brain active. If possible, have the senior count backwards or complete multiplication and games such as Sudoko. Encourage your Care Professionals to use their imagination. - Playing Games
Card games are a fun way to keep the mind and hands busy. There are many common card games that the senior may be familiar with or can learn. Specialty card games can be obtained relatively inexpensively from most drugstores and if there is interest, you might consider suggesting the family purchase them. Other games that can be useful are; checkers, chess, scrabble, and dominoes. - Reading Newspapers
Reading and discussing newspaper articles is a great way to keep up on worldly activities, promote thinking and articulation of speech, which enhance brain activity. - Doing Crossword Puzzles, Word Searches, Sudoku
A variety of puzzles, word searches, and other activities, can be obtained relatively inexpensively at drugstores. If the senior actively engages in the activities book provided, you might consider suggesting the family purchase additional books. Most can be bought in large print, which is easier for older adults to see. Answers can usually be found in the back, so Care Professionals can help with little clues should seniors become lost or frustrated. - Watching Television
The typical older adult might watch TV a good portion of the day, but is that because they want to, or is it because they lack other stimulating activities? Your Care Professionals should encourage seniors to watch game shows where they can think through answers and challenge their minds. Care Professionals can see if their seniors can recall news stories they watched earlier in the day, or pick a word, and count how often it is said. TV doesn’t have to be a passive activity. With a little creativity, it can make a contribution to brain fitness and fun. Also, Care Professionals can incorporate TV watching with the “Laughter Library” referenced in the section on Spirit. - Planning a Virtual Trip
Employees can plan trips with seniors without ever leaving the house. While they might not really go physically, half the fun of going on a trip is planning and learning about the place you intend to visit. Free information can be picked up at travel agencies, libraries or the Internet