The Best Spring Crafts for Dementia Patients
Published by: Lauren Robinson
If you’re looking for some new and interesting ways to help stimulate and entertain someone who is suffering from dementia, we can help.
If you’re looking for some new and interesting ways to help stimulate and entertain someone who is suffering from dementia, we can help.
Dementia is a complex condition affecting a person’s cognitive ability and can impact everything from their memory, problem-solving skills and language skills in day-to-day life. This can be extremely difficult for the person with dementia to come to terms with, especially as the condition progresses and they become more reliant on others for help with simple tasks.
Many dementia patients will also experience increased anxiety or agitation because of the condition, and one of the ways this can manifest is by increased fidgeting, especially with the hands.
It’s well-known that music is a universal language – one that speaks to us all on a primal level. It creates the soundtrack to many of our days, including some of our most cherished moments, and also has the ability to both lift our spirits and soothe us too. And, while music is an important part of many people’s lives, the benefits of music therapy for dementia patients is especially poignant. Tapping into memories and emotions on a different level, it can be a powerful tool for those living with dementia and its symptoms.
With temperatures dropping and bad weather arriving, it’s important that people with dementia get the extra care they need to be comfortable and feel safe.
Winter often brings more challenges for people with dementia and their caregivers, facing heightened feelings of social isolation and stress. Alongside the extra physical hazards from ice and snow, sometimes symptoms can get temporarily worse. People with dementia may not be able to communicate that they are cold or explain how they are feeling
As the season casts its silvery cloak and the nights draw in, there’s no better time to hunker down and cosy up than winter. One of the best activities for relaxed mornings and slow afternoons during this time of year, winter crafts offer a great way to occupy hands and minds during this season of resetting and rebalancing.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, renowned as a season filled with love, joy and, of course, presents. A particularly popular pastime, gift giving at Christmastime has roots dating back centuries and is a tradition many families enjoy each year. A huge part of celebrations, it is something that unites all generations and provides a special opportunity for family and friends to show love and appreciation for one another.
Dementia is a progressive illness that affects each person differently. However, one common challenge is the gradual decline in short and long-term memory. As dementia progresses, it can make it difficult for those living with the condition to recall information, find words, follow conversations, and express thoughts and feelings clearly. This can understandably lead to frustration and confusion, which is why learning how to adapt communication styles is incredibly important.
The NHS recommends lots of different ways to create a positive home environment for those living with dementia. Making home an even nicer place to be may include a number of different gadgets that can be employed to help make everyday life more safe, manageable and comfortable.
For those living with dementia, it can become increasingly challenging to recall cherished memories over time. To help in periods of uncertainty, it’s ever-more important to find ways to stimulate the memory in a positive way. To help this along, certain methods can be used to preserve precious experiences and anecdotes. One such method is a keepsake box.
If you know someone who is living with dementia, then finding engaging and enjoyable things to do can make all the difference to that person’s quality of life. Helping to stimulate the mind, boost mood and morale, and foster deeper connections with loved ones, fun activities have a vital role to play.
If you are looking for some safe, interesting, and fun things to do with dementia patients, here are some fun and therapeutic ways to bring joy and comfort to each day.