Alzheimer’s affects around 6.7 million seniors in America, a number that’s expected to grow and nearly double by 2060. With dementia becoming so prevalent in our country, it’s time to treat it as the normal quality that it is.
Here at Morada Lawton, we’re one step ahead. We already offer many activities for memory care patients so that they feel interested and excited to participate.
Curious to learn more? Keep reading to see how the following senior activity ideas can aid in memory retention and elevate overall happiness!
Coloring
Of all the activities for dementia patients, few are as beneficial as the act of coloring. The advantages of coloring every day include:
- Easy-to-learn creative outlet
- Stress relief
- Improve hand dexterity
- Improve hand-eye coordination
- Boost cognitive function
- Increase attention span
All of these reasons are why Morada Lawton hosts a coloring activity every single day. We want our residents to start the day on the right foot by engaging in an activity that can elevate a person’s mood with a creative spin.
Not only does it offer many benefits, but coloring also can simply be a fun activity that results in a pretty picture at the end.
Sing-a-Longs
It can be demoralizing when a memory care patient recognizes the fact that they’re engaging in elderly cognitive exercises. They sometimes might reject the activity altogether since they don’t want to feel belittled or misunderstood. They may not want to feel embarrassed when they have difficulty remembering something.
Sing-a-longs are a clever way to participate in a memory-boosting activity without it feeling like a chore. Singing along with others helps with:
- Memory recall
- Strengthening memory
- Socilization
- Stress relief
When you choose an assisted living community, make sure to take a look at their activity calendar. If they don’t include plenty of sing-a-long opportunities, it’s a good idea to look elsewhere. Even residents without dementia can enjoy the long-term benefits!
Trivia
Trying to come up with the answer to a trivia question keeps brains active and also helps residents learn and retain new information. There are all kinds of categories, from decade-specific questions to pop culture teasers. With so much variety, there’s sure to be a trivia activity to suit everyone.
Plus, it’s easy to add the spice of friendly competition to trivia. Whether working together as a team or individually, trivia activities are one of the best brain games for seniors.
Puzzles
Searching for that elusive corner piece and finally finding it can be a rewarding activity. Putting together a puzzle improves functions such as:
- Focus
- Retention
- Recall
- Organization
- Problem-solving
- Attention to details
Puzzles are an activity that’s easy to get into, so you don’t need any extra skills to get started. It’s possible to do it with others in a group, or on your own when you want some alone time.
Placing that final piece and seeing the whole picture completed is a satisfying conclusion to such a beneficial activity.
Book Club
Regular reading can introduce us to new ideas and new words, which assists in creating a stronger memory core. The best thing about reading is that there’s never an end to the possibilities. You could transport yourself into the life of a pirate captain, or you could read about a leader’s life in another country.
It’s a relaxing activity that you share with others in the book club.
Once done reading the chosen book, you’ll have the chance to chat about the themes, characters, and plot lines. This not only helps you to dive deeper into the book, but it also aids in memory recall. The club works together to point out details others may have forgotten, triggering a memory that leads to another one.
Bingo
Bingo is a unique activity because it mixes socialization and memory recall in a relaxing game atmosphere.
There’s a sense of competition but it doesn’t inspire rivalry. Residents need to remember the called number as they scan their boards, strengthening their cognitive functioning.
It’s a game that’s surprisingly fun and addicting. Many Morada Lawton residents look forward to Bingo every week and it’s a highlighted conversation topic during our nutritious meal times.
Dancing
When searching for the best memory care tips, never underestimate the benefits of physical activity. The act of raising your heartbeat for at least 20 minutes every day can:
- Lower risk of dementia
- Lessen symptoms of dementia
- Maintain healthy weight
- Reduce cognitive decline
- Improve strength
- Improve balance
The key is to choose a physical activity that doesn’t feel daunting. Dancing is a great choice for this because it’s a fun activity that gets the body moving. It’s a social gathering as well, letting people interact with others and increase enjoyment.
Moving to the beat of their favorite music is enough to make a difference in a senior’s life. Here at Morada Lawton, we include several chances for dancing and music throughout the month. It’s a huge source of inspiration and excitement in our community, even for those who feel like they don’t know how to dance.
Crafting
Do you like the idea of creating something with your own hands? Do you enjoy designing something from start to finish and seeing the results?
Crafts let you do all of this and more. Morada Lawton’s guided craft projects give residents a sense of direction, but all of the details are up to them.
It’s another way to embrace creative freedom while still working on retaining and recalling new information. We make sure that each project is different from the last so craft time never feels boring or stale.
Find Top Activities for Memory Care Patients at Morada Lawton
If you’re looking for a thriving community with many exciting activities for memory care patients, then look no further than Morada Lawton.
Morada Lawton is a Lawton assisted living community that offers each resident an individual care plan to suit their specific needs. We also offer memory care assistance for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, including all of the listed activities on this list.
Contact Morada Lawton today and we’ll work with you and our on-site registered nurse to come up with a plan that helps you feel fulfilled, safe, and stimulated!
