A diagnosis of dementia can change everything for a patient and their loved ones. Though life can become more challenging, it’s important to remember that a person living with dementia can still enjoy a happy and fulfilling life. Engaging in stimulating activities for dementia can help patients manage their symptoms, even helping to slow progression. With that in mind, we have put together a list of stimulating activities that can be enjoyed either alone or with loved ones.
The Importance of Keeping Active
When you or a loved one are diagnosed with dementia, it can sometimes feel like the whole world grinds to a halt. It can reduce your confidence and leave you feeling like you can’t continue living independently. However, taking part in stimulating activities can help you adopt a more positive mindset and make you less anxious or depressed.
It’s also a way to keep yourself healthy. Regular activities keep the brain sharp and can help to slow the progress of dementia. Furthermore, they can help you stay social, avoiding the effects of loneliness. Moreover, being social is good for your brain health, helping improve your memory.
Physical and mental stimulation are both equally important. As such, our list of stimulating activities for dementia explores a wide range of things to do.
Stimulating Activities for Dementia
Painting
Getting involved in art activities such as painting can help to stimulate the minds of people living with dementia. It’s a surprisingly cognitive activity, encouraging careful thought and problem solving. Yet it’s also one that can have a calming effect. You will be using your brain without realising how much you’re thinking about your choices.
Activities like painting are also a great form of self-expression. Dementia can affect a person’s communication skills, but painting – and art in general – are often considered a universal language. The art you produce may contain certain themes, or you may be drawn to certain colours, and these can reflect how you are feeling.
Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that painting and drawing can help to stimulate the memory. As memory is one of the main things affected by dementia, stimulating activities for dementia such as painting can help to slow its progression. Whilst it can’t fully reverse memory loss, it can help to keep memories alive.
Music
Another stimulating activity for people living with dementia is music. There is evidence to support that music can help regulate mood, including reducing heart rate and blood pressure, as well as relieving pain in some people. Moreover, music promotes the production of endorphins, also known as feel-good hormones, which can reduce anxiety and depression.
For people with dementia, listening to or engaging with music helps to keep you active, whilst also offering opportunities to build relationships. If you choose to dance, it’s a great way to get the blood pumping and keep your muscles healthy. Playing an instrument, no matter how simple, can also be a way to express your feelings.
Sometimes, music can trigger memories, too. This makes music one of the most valuable stimulating activities for dementia patients, as it can help to keep your mind healthy as well as your body. You may also find that music makes it easier to interact with people without the pressure of talking. The best music is that which you listened to and enjoyed in the past, especially songs with a significant meaning, such as the song you had your first dance to.
Cooking
Anything that can invigorate your senses can help you live with the symptoms of dementia. One activity that is guaranteed to activate the brain is cooking. When you prepare food, you are surrounded by scents, textures, and flavours, all of which can help to awaken memories.
Unfortunately, a dementia diagnosis can make it difficult to get involved in all aspects of cooking. However, that does not mean you can’t still enjoy this stimulating activity. Simple recipes and pre-chopped vegetables can make it easier to cook and still have something to show at the end.
It could also help you form stronger connections with your loved ones. Though it’s important to know your limits, cooking is a great activity for keeping your mind active and eating well in the process.
Swimming
Physical fitness is just as important as keeping your mind sharp when you have dementia. Swimming could be one of the most beneficial stimulating activities for dementia patients. This is because it is ideal for keeping people fit even with the limitations of age and health conditions.
What’s more, swimming may even help prevent the progression of dementia. Cold water swimming, especially, has been shown to trigger the production of proteins that protect the brain.
Swimming can also become a pleasant part of your routine, giving you something to look forward to. This regular activity can help to keep your memory sharp and mood high, especially if you are doing it socially. Furthermore, regular exercise helps your body to regulate its energy levels, which can help you sleep better. Good sleep is also important for keeping your mind healthy, especially after a dementia diagnosis.
Walking
Often an underappreciated form of exercise, walking can have a lot of benefits for people living with dementia. It’s a great way to get out into the fresh air and maintain body strength. Regular walks, especially with other people, can boost your mood and may even slow the progression of dementia.
One of the most significant benefits of walking is how it feeds additional oxygen to the brain. This, of course, helps support brain health, making sure it functions correctly. Paired with how social interactions create new connections in the brain, this makes walking ideal for improving memory and, in some cases, reducing dementia symptoms.
On top of this, the physical benefits of improving muscle strength and circulation can support your overall health. Regular walks make it easier to maintain a healthy body weight, as well as reducing the likelihood of developing conditions such as diabetes.
Support with Dementia
If you or a loved one are living with dementia and need additional support, there are services available that can help. Dementia UK are one of the leading organisations offering support to patients and their families, including a dedicated helpline.
A Telecare Alarm can also provide support for people living with dementia, as well as peace of mind for their loved ones. In an emergency, the alarm user simply presses the button on their pendant and help is arranged on their behalf. If you choose a fall detector pendant, you can also benefit from the peace of mind of automatic alerts if you experience a hard fall.
For additional reassurance on the go, we also offer a GPS alarm that can be used anywhere. When you activate your alarm, our team uses GPS locator technology to arrange help at your location.
To find out more, or order today, call our helpful team on 0800 635 7000.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 23rd January 2024 to reflect current information.
