5 Summer Activities for Those With Dementia
Why Activities Are Important for Dementia Patients
Providing stimulation for someone who is living with dementia is just as important as it is for those who aren’t. Activities can provide a welcome distraction when you’re living with dementia and the bonus of the ‘better’ weather (we do live in the UK, after all!) means that the outdoors is also available to us more. Dementia is progressive, which means it sadly won’t get any better and will only deteriorate as time goes on, but that doesn’t mean that activities are pointless for people who are living with even later-stage dementia; everyone can benefit from having a change of scene or a distraction sometimes. If someone is displaying behaviour that challenges it can sometimes be because they need nothing to occupy them, which is where activities can really be helpful. They also:
Provide relaxation
Listening to favourite music, or looking at a treasured view can help us to relax, which can reduce anxiety and confusion for someone who is living with dementia
Can help unlock memories
Memory books, photo albums, and familiar objects can help to ‘unlock’ memories, which can then give the person an emotional boost
Provides a structure of life
Favourite activities can bring order for someone and consequently reduce anxiety, especially if they happen at the same time each day
Improves patient confidence
We all need something to do; it benefits us emotionally as well as physically to have an activity, which can improve mental health and self-confidence
5 Summer Activities Suitable for People With Dementia
Summer activities for dementia patients are varied, so there’s bound to be something enjoyable for you or your loved one to take part in. It’s worth checking local listings to see if there are dementia cafes, ‘Singing for the Brain’ or other activities happening nearby. Closer to home, other things that may be enjoyable for people to share, include:
A picnic
Whether you want to go out to a local beauty spot or you’d prefer to do it in the garden, having a picnic is one of summer’s most enjoyable activities. You and loved ones can enjoy familiar views while eating tasty food; what’s not to love?
Gardening
Dementia UK tells us that “There are many gardening activities which could involve the person living with dementia, whatever their disabilities.” These include weeding, planting, potting and of course, making things out of the produce once it’s grown.
Picture puzzles/board games
Puzzles are a great way to pass some time for people living with dementia because they can help with coordination, entertainment and cognitive stimulation. They can also help to reduce anxiety and stress, promote calm and reduce confusion.
Reading
Even if the person living with dementia no longer wants to or is able to read themselves, audiobooks or streaming services may be an option, or a loved one could read to them from the type of books the person used to read themselves.
Painting & drawing
Whether you’re artistic or not, drawing and painting can be a relaxing way to spend some time. If someone used to love art, they may just enjoy having paints and paper in front of them again. Shops like The Works have a range of reasonably priced art supplies.
Photography
One of the easiest summer activities for seniors with dementia could be taking photographs. Using a manual film camera, such as the Kodak F9, may help the person to feel less confused about the world around them due to it being like one they had in their younger years.
How Helping Hands can help
Because we’ve been supporting people who need dementia care to live well with dementia in the homes they love for decades, we truly are the UK’s most trusted dementia home care provider. We were established as a family company in 1989, dedicated to keeping people as independent as possible at home, and we’ve never lost those values that we began with. We’ve grown from small beginnings to now owning and managing 150 branches and supporting thousands of people across England and Wales every day. Unlike many other care companies, we don’t sell franchises or allow other people to use our name; instead, we maintain control of our entire network as we know that’s how we can best deliver a consistently high standard of care. So if you’re looking for care at home for yourself or a loved one on either a visiting or live-in care basis, and all fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate Wales, trust Helping Hands to help you enjoy the best the summer can offer.
