Dementia Care – Activities
For Elders living with diagnosis of a Dementia, activities that don’t feel like exercise are a wonderful way to help improve mobility, strength and balance.
Exercise is any activity that raises the heart rate, and undertaking it regularly is important to an Elder’s health and wellbeing. People with a type of dementia will often balk at structured activities but may readily join in with familiar ones; if they can go at their own pace. Our Live In and Pay By The Hour Caregivers and Private Nurses work with our clients to include exercise such as (but not limited to) the following:
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Dancing – simply put on some age appropriate music; something your client/Loved One may have listened to in the past. If the person with a dementia doesn’t know how to dance, a simple dance move or even just any movement (moving from side to side) can be relaxing and enjoyable, as long as their partner can take the lead. |
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Gardening – raking, mowing the lawn, watering, pruning and sweeping are good forms of exercise. Potting and planting are often enjoyable sensory activities, especially if you elder enjoyed gardening in the past. Being outdoors is therapeutic and often helps relax and calm a person’s mood. Make sure you are on hand to help as required. Sunlight tires people out. |
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Housework – such as vacuuming, cooking, hanging/folding washing etc., are not only a good form of exercise but can help the person with a dementia maintain a level of control and help them feel they are contributing to the running of their home. Most people with a dementia can continue to perform certain types of housework they are familiar with. Ensure they are supervised. |
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Art – activities such as painting, drawing and scrapbooking can be achieved with patience, and with some assistance in the initial stages. Even a visit to a gallery to see some art has been proven to reduce anxiety, agitation and apathy. Being in a creative headspace helps awaken people’s ‘emotional memories’ which in turn helps them to relate better to people and surroundings. More on Art and quality dementia care. |
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Music – uses many parts of the brain to listen to and process it, even for people with advanced dementia. Use music that is familiar and evokes positive emotions, such as music they ‘fell in love’ to. Music can also be a communication conduit and, when we strike the right chord, people with a Dementia will sing along, dance, reminisce and feel joyful and peaceful. More on music – and how it is integrated in our quality dementia care – can be found on these pages: Dementia Care with Music & Memory, Music & Memory Program, Amazing Power of Music. |
From Judith, one of our Live in Caregivers
Just to let you know that my time with Jeanie was a delight. We gardened, chatted, did some housework together, sang a great deal, enjoyed some poetry and went for a walk over to the oval complete with a small bush walk to see the views across the valley to Chatswood and the City. We even stopped in the middle of the oval for a dance and song just because we could. Appetite was excellent, fluid intake good and no problems. She slept through and was gracious. Lots of reminiscence despite her communication difficulties. Excellent handover from Jackie as well (as you had told me to expect).
Read unsolicited feedback about our Caregivers and Nurses from our clients. We’re always thrilled to receive such kind words.
The next step is easy … contact us for a confidential chat about your needs or to organise your, free no obligation consultation email claireg@daughterlycare.com.au or call us on (02) 9970 7333.
Discover how we care for people living with dementia:
We are dementia care specialists
Music and memory for people living with dementia
Dementia Care Music and Memory