A prevalent misconception about people with Alzheimer’s disease is that they have no quality of life and have no skills. Engaging in pleasurable and meaningful senior activities, social connections, music, and artistic expression can all improve the quality of life for those with dementia. Every day can be a fantastic day if you get plenty of exercises, consume healthy food, and unwind at the end of it.
Here are some senior lifestyles for dementia patients that have been proposed to improve the lives of dementia patients.
Supporting Individuals with Dementia
The fight against Alzheimer’s disease is highlighted every year on September 21st, which is World Alzheimer’s Day. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are stigmatized, and this is a chance to change that. Because of the widespread belief that Alzheimer’s patients have little quality of life and have no functional abilities, this stigma can act as a roadblock to receiving adequate care, support, and treatment.
For people with Alzheimer’s disease, engaging in pleasurable and meaningful activities on a regular basis has been shown to improve their quality of life by decreasing their depression, increasing their feelings of competence, and enhancing their relationships with family members, according to a study conducted at the University of Washington.
Encourage Socialization
PLOS Medicine found that daily one-on-one encounters, in which community team members talked to residents with dementia about their interests, preferences, and families, decreased agitation and pain, and increased quality of life.
Music and Art
The Alzheimer’s Association explains that when talking becomes difficult, music can be a great method to communicate. Crafting something artistic may be a fulfilling way to express oneself and can provide one with a sense of success and direction in life.
Stay Active
According to research from McMaster University, regular physical activity can assist persons with dementia to improve activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and eating, allowing them to become more self-sufficient.
Provide Options
The Alzheimer Society of Canada recommends encouraging the person’s uniqueness and autonomy by providing them with opportunities to make decisions by asking about their preferences.
Support Good Nutrition
Alzheimer’s Disease International recommends that dementia residents be served excellent, nutritional food that stimulates their senses and appetite in well-appointed dining areas that have more of a homey atmosphere than a hospital-like setting.
Communicate in Creative Ways
The quality of one’s life can be considerably improved via the cultivation of meaningful relationships with others. Using what you know about them and how they are feeling can help you comprehend what they may be trying to say. Communication is possible at all stages of dementia. Try not to argue with the person or try to convince them that their viewpoint is incorrect.
Memory Care for Individuals with Dementia
In a memory care community, individuals with dementia can receive the specialized care they need to slow down the progression of their condition while enhancing their quality of life. Their personal and medical needs will be tended to by professionals who also facilitate various specially curated programs that let them have fun and enhance their cognitive abilities.
