Creating Engaging Activities: Three Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
2024-12-03 · 26 min · episode 22 · 20 entities
Asserted relationships
-
0.55
evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Business
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Health & Fitness
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Mental Health
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Personal Journals
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: How To
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Non-Profit
Entities found in this episode
concepts 14
-
0.50
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
-
0.50
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
-
0.50
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Health & Fitness
-
0.50
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
-
0.50
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Personal Journals
-
0.50
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Non-Profit
-
0.42
evidence rules-v5
Creating Engaging Activities: Three Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Health & Fitness
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Personal Journals
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: How To
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Non-Profit
persons 4
-
0.70
evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster
-
0.55
evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster
-
0.50
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Mental Health
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Mental Health
companys 2
-
0.50
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Business
-
0.40
evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Business
Episode description as stored
As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we often struggle with adapting activities to their changing abilities. Through our experiences, and what we’ve learned from others on their caregiving journeys, Nancy Treaster and I developed three important tips to help you create meaningful engagement that honors who our care receivers are today.
Connect with us and share your tips:
Website: https:// www.thecaregiversjourney.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/ , https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com , nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com
Additional Resources Mentioned
Other The Caregiver’s Journey podcast mentioned
Home Safety here
These resources contain affiliate links so we may receive a small commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you.
Large plastic rings child's toy that center screws into base here
Adult coloring book here
Dementia friendly puzzle here
Lavender lotion here
Bead maze here
Fidget blanket here
Photo gifts
Shutterfly here
Memory Cafe example here
Takeaways
From the moment of diagnosis, we need to shift our focus from what our care receivers used to do to what brings them joy now.
Tip 1: Adjust Our Expectations
Our care receivers’ engagement and abilities change throughout their journey — even throughout each day.
Key points:
Let go of ‘before’ comparisons
Let go of outcomes
Watch for signs of enjoyment or frustration
Pay attention to new interests
Adapt activities to current abilities
Accept different ways of engaging
Tip 2: Prioritize Their Safety
As we introduce or adapt activities, safety must be a primary concern, considering both cognitive and physical abilities.
Key points:
Consider vision changes and depth perception challenges
Adapt activities to safely maintain independence
Provide appropriate supervision and get creative in places to find it
Make creative adjustments to familiar activities
Create support networks for safety
Tip 3: Create Engaging Activities
Create activities to reflect their personal history, career, hobbies and interests, while engaging their senses. Whenever possible, engage multiple senses for a deeper connection and engagement.
Key points:
Engage their senses:
• Touch (e.g.: fidget blankets, textured items)
• Sound (e.g.: familiar music, calming sounds)
• Smell (e.g.: familiar scents, cooking aromas)
• Sight (e.g.: colorful objects, family photos)
• Movement (e.g.: seated dancing, simple exercises)
Create social connections through:
• Small group activities
• Religious or spiritual practices
• Memory cafes
• Senior center programs
• Family gatherings
When planning activities:
Observe body language for signs of engagement or distress
Have backup calming activities ready if they get agitated
Remember that watching can be a form of participation
Consider “drip grief” (see bottom of post for definition) — both yours and theirs
Be flexible and creative in your approach
Accept help from others who want to support you
Read Full Blog here