The frost tinged-cloak of winter is finally relinquishing its hold and the petalled blooms of spring are bursting into life. A wonderful season in which vibrant colours and heady floral aromas fill the air, this lovely time of year is perfect for getting outside and trying different activities. If you or a loved one are looking for the best spring activities for dementia patients, seek seasonal inspiration and look to nature to encourage a range of things to do. From gentle gardening under blue skies to flower-themed crafts, the best spring activities can be tailored to meet requirements, maintain physical and cognitive function, and bring joy to the day.
If you or a loved one are affected by dementia or have any concerns, please do contact your doctor.
According to Dementia UK, light gardening can provide a great way to enhance wellbeing, stating that it can positively “distract, engage, add to routines and be a focus for physical activity”. Encouraging gentle activity, gardening stimulates all the senses and evokes familiarity and purpose. If you are looking to try gardening this spring, look for accessible tasks like replanting, weeding, watering or pruning. If you don’t have a garden, you can also compromise and consider buying a few potted plants to place on windowsills or path borders to add features that are both interactive and beautiful. As an added advantage, spring flowers will also help local pollinators, whose springtime activities also provide something fun to watch.
Studies have repeatedly shown that quality time in the great outdoors is good for all of us. For dementia patients, outdoor activity and a connection with nature can prove especially beneficial. From helping to improve sleep to reducing anxiety to boosting appetite, it can have all sorts of advantages for mental and physical wellbeing. Some of the best spring activities for dementia patients, nature-themed arts and crafts can provide a great focus and sense of achievement whilst reconnecting body, mind and soul with nature. Try things like painting on stones, making leaf and petal collages, or creating sensory nature boxes with natural items collected from outside – be it seashells, smooth pebbles, pretty leaves, interesting twigs or more. Other activities to try include flower pressing, eco-friendly chalk drawing outside, and sculpting with clay or wood.
The season of spring is synonymous with new life, with the brilliant multi-coloured petals of flowers popping up in gardens, fields and hedgerows around the country. Bluebells, snowdrops, tulips, daffodils, magnolias, cherry blossoms and roses are but some of the flowers that can be seen in the UK in spring and make for great inspiration for nature-themed art. If you are considering the best spring activities for dementia patients, why not give paper flower making a go? Tailored to meet needs, this hands-on activity offers an engaging, interactive experience and lends itself to all sorts of styles and abilities. Make a paper flower bouquet, try 3D paper tissue flower kits, or use pre-cut paper petals and stick them onto coloured cards to create a seasonal celebration.
If possible, maintaining a regular, gentle exercise routine can make a huge difference to mental and physical wellbeing. Something that can be enjoyed year-round, short nature walks are especially lovely in spring and allow dementia patients to immerse in nature and enjoy gentle activity. Depending on how far you’d like to go, short strolls along level paths can help to relieve boredom, reduce stress and anxiety, and provide an invaluable window into nature. According to Alzheimers UK, who have released a useful fact sheet about walking and dementia, the action of walking with purpose can also be hugely beneficial to dementia patients and encourage a sense of purpose and intention. Look at local routes near to you and walk with a loved one to enjoy time in nature, planning paths ahead of time to consider appropriate walking distances and settings.
Music is something that stirs the soul and resonates with people on a primal level. Nostalgic, relaxing and joyful in equal measure, it can inspire all sorts of emotions that can quiet the mind and warm the heart. In spring in the UK, the melodic sounds of nature create an especially enchanting soundtrack, chorused by the tuneful melodies of birdsong. One of the best spring activities for dementia patients, the simple pleasure of listening to sounds in nature can be a hugely positive experience. Affording powerful soundscapes that can appeal to deeper levels of consciousness and lift the spirits. Some of the best places for listening to the soothing sounds of nature include quiet, gently sloping beaches lapped by gentle waves and tranquil woodland home to different bird species.
At Wisteria, we provide specialist care for people living with dementia. Rated CQC Outstanding, we believe in supporting the highest quality of life and creating a safe, comfortable and stimulating environment for all of our residents. If you would like to find out more, please do get in touch.
Please do speak to your doctor if you or a loved one are affected by or worried about the symptoms of dementia.
In times of need, caring for a loved one is a natural decision for many. That said, it’s not always easy. Caring for someone, no matter how much you love them, can be emotionally and physically demanding and, sometimes, it’s really important to turn that love inward and take breaks.
Supporting a loved one with dementia is never straightforward. Whether your relative has been newly diagnosed or you’re already a caregiver, there are certain steps you can take.
With Father’s Day fast approaching, many people are searching for thoughtful gifts for their loved ones. But for some, choosing the right gift can be especially difficult, particularly when buying for a family member with dementia.
Encourage positive conversations and deeper connections with dementia patients by asking the right questions. Whether over the phone, on a virtual call or in-person, the best questions phrased in the right way can invoke happy memories and shared moments. Many people with dementia can recall vivid memories from their past and love to share them. Here are some tips and questions to ask dementia patients to encourage communication.
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.