Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies are all examples of degenerative brain ailments known as dementia. These disorders cause issues with thinking, emotions, behavior, and the ability to take part in everyday activities and recreation.
If no appropriate activities are available and people living with dementia are bored, they may become progressively lonely, dissatisfied, and unhappy. And as a result, they become angry, emotional, and worried. Further, it affects their capacity to retain skills such as self-care due to the lack of interest.
Neuroleptics and other tranquilizers are frequently used to alleviate these symptoms. Despite the fact that medicine produces short-term improvements, it typically creates adverse effects such as sleepiness, which exacerbates the situation by reducing independence.
Stimulation that is adequate and relevant will enable individuals to stay active and included, which will aid in the preservation of function and cognition and the management and regulation of mood and behavior. Activities, like medicines, must be adjusted to match the needs of each individual.
People living with dementia have unique requirements compared to other seniors. They often get agitated, although they may not understand why. As a result, having different forms of activities that match their skills which can help them deal with issues like agitation, is critical for people living with dementia.
Sensory activities created exclusively for them are a great way to add variety to daily life. People living with dementia might benefit from a variety of activities that provide them joy and tranquility. Let’s take a deeper look at these dementia-friendly toys.
Best Sensory Activities for Those with Dementia And Alzheimer’s
A sensory activity is one that is designed primarily to excite one or more human senses. Sensory activities are also great for autistic or developmentally impaired children since they can help with stability or give a sensory experience.
1. Activity Boards
People with Alzheimer’s disease can utilize busy boards, also known as activity boards, to aid in improving fine motor control, finger agility, and hand-eye coordination. The boards usually have recognizable hardware or things like locks, hasps, handles, or latches. Persons with Alzheimer’s or dementia may move forward and backward or open and close them.
Anxiousness is a or trembling fingers and hands are common symptoms in people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Busy boards are recommended during occupational therapy programs, and for caregiver support groups, it is a means to assist reduce agitation and engaging people.
There are several sorts of busy boards available in the market for people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but there’s no reason you can’t design and construct your own for a relative or friend if you have a few simple tools and a positive approach.
2. Fidget Blankets
Fidget blankets are indeed a pretty effective way to keep someone’s hands occupied. These soft, light blankets typically come with a variety of easy sensory exercises. Anxiety will decrease when people living with dementia are engaged in activities.
For a senior with restricted mobility, a fidget blanket might be a very meaningful thing. Because of the weight of the blanket, it can be held securely in place on a person’s lap as they tug laces, play with pouches, or open a zipper. This little blanket may be used for a number of activities and is low maintenance.
3. Memory or Lock Box
A memory box or shadow box can assist elders with Alzheimer’s in recollecting their past. These long-forgotten experiences might jog the senior’s memory and spark a discourse with family members. The touch of an old baseball mitt, the recognizable touch of seashells gathered on holidays, or childhood pictures are instances of objects that contain valuable memories.
A Memory Box filled with these important recollections may be a source of joy and comfort for a loved one as they approach old age.
Memory boxes are widely used to encourage persons with Alzheimer’s disease or associated dementia to participate in activities.
Memory boxes may spark conversation while also stimulating the mind and emotions. The articles or things in a memory box might aid a person with memory loss to reflect on the past.
4. Squeeze/Stress Balls
It is recommended that people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia be kept occupied and comfortable. You might also get a fastened stress ball that comes with a string to boost their senses and have continual recollections of pictures and products they adore about the home. When stress balls are well-fitting and the right size for the user, they can also help with moving their hands and fingers.
As endorphins and pain-relieving neurochemicals are produced while squeezing the ball, it triggers happy emotions in the person.
5. Jigsaw Puzzles
Puzzles are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages. Focusing on a jigsaw puzzle is a popular approach for many people to unwind after a busy day. People living with dementia who like puzzles may not be able to solve the huge, difficult ones that they have in the past, but there are plenty of basic puzzles to enjoy.
There are also big jigsaw puzzles made exclusively for people living with dementia. These puzzles include particular characteristics, such as color-coded parts, that make them simple and easy to finish for adults with cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the designs of these puzzles are age-appropriate and will appeal to elders.
6. Fidget or Tangle Toys
Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia may find touch-based exercises soothing. People living with dementia frequently have restless hands. You may observe your loved one frantically rubbing their hands together or pulling at their clothes or hair.
Simple fidget toys can help people with busy hands feel better right away. Give them small toys that they could fit comfortably in their pocket or bag. They can easily access the toy to keep their hands engaged if they become restless. These tangle toys are great for anybody who is susceptible to fidgeting.
7. Gel Mazes
The Gel maze allows the user to maneuver a marble through it, which stimulates the brain, improves eye-hand coordination, strengthens the fingers, and relieves boredom.
People living with dementia frequently report a lack of coordination. Cognitive impairment can also make it more difficult to resolve basic issues. Seniors can use a gel maze to improve their dexterity and problem-solving skills. This activity provides the sensory experience of gel as well as the ability to project the marble’s journey.
It may be both calming and enjoyable to roll a marble along a gel maze. Even if a person is unable to get the marble towards the endpoint, they will undoubtedly have a good time.
8. Fidget Sleeves
Fidget sleeves serve as an activity that keep the hands busy. Fidget sleeves might serve as a distraction for someone with dementia who appears anxious.
Important Factors to Consider While Choosing Dementia Activities
Dementia activities may seem odd to some people. It is, however, a totally natural way for people living with dementia to engage in stimulating activities.
When purchasing activities for people living with dementia, keep the following points in mind:
1. Dementia Stage
People in early of dementia may not benefit from sensory stimulation activities at this time. These activities are often most beneficial for people in a later stage of dementia when agitation is far more intense, and these hobbies have the greatest influence.
2. Interest
It’s important that the activity you choose is of interest to the person living with dementia. Your loved one may be more interested in certain activities than others. Ensure the activities are matched with their interests.
3. Potential Risks
If your loved one has a habit of putting items in their mouth or wrapping ties around their fingers, it’s better to avoid activities with any circulation or choking risks.
Ultimately, dementia activities are intended to improve your loved one’s quality of life. You may try a different activity if the current one isn’t achieving that purpose.
Sensory Stimulation
Sensory stimulation has been found to be extremely beneficial to patients with dementia, according to research. (1) Stimulating a person’s five senses can assist them in remaining psychologically present. It’s a method to relive happy memories, improve communication, and help people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s connect with their loved ones. (2)
If you want to give sensory stimulation to a loved one, consider some of the best sensory activities for people living with dementia. These things can be quite beneficial as dementia progresses.
Finding solutions to assist persons with learning difficulties and dementia in living a rich and rewarding life is critical. Enjoying time with loved ones and communicating with them is a terrific way to find enrichment. Sensory stimulation is an excellent technique to overcome the communication barrier and provide people with the same sensory assistance they would obtain in their daily life.
Sensory Rooms are prevalent in care facilities because they give special settings for people to explore, recall, and improve their senses.
Sensory Activities
Sensory activities provide several advantages for people suffering from a variety of disorders, including dementia. The primary goal of offering such activities is to encourage children and adults to engage their senses in a healthy or significant manner. Sensory activities assist individuals in relaxing when they are overstimulated by providing a way to control sensory feedback.
Summary
In the end, the best toys for people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s are those that your loved one enjoys. Fidget or sensory toys are a quick and convenient approach to calm the person. Sensory play may be used to distract someone who is upset and to keep a senior busy and interested. Check out the best sensory toys for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s to see if you can discover something fun for your loved one. Please remember to provide constant supervision and assistance when introducing sensory activities to your loved ones.
