Here at HarborChase, we know that it can be difficult to keep a parent or loved engaged even when they face cognitive challenges. That is why we have specialized activity plans and HarborChase Memory Care communities that are entirely dedicated to residents with memory impairments. According to the National Institute of Health, keeping your loved one mentally and socially stimulated can help in the decline of cognitive function and, in some cases, delay the onset of dementia.
Mental Stimulation
It is of dire importance and essential to the well-being of your loved one to help them stay mentally stimulated. Mentally challenging exercises have numerous benefits for brain health which can be short-term or even long-term effects. Learning a new language or a new skill, trying out a new hobby, or taking educational classes can all stimulate the brain.
Help your loved one challenge themselves with brain teasers, crossword puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles. These activities pose problem-solving initiatives which can induce cognitive abilities. If you are looking for an activity to do with your loved one in memory care at HarborChase, then try and stir their memories with personal experiences and stories.
Memory Compilation
If you can stir up old memories and keep them in an organized manner, it can help your loved one test themselves daily. You and mom or dad can create a memory box together, include photos of friends and family, such as siblings and grandchildren. Incorporate meaningful postcards, trinkets, notes, lists of likes and dislikes, etc. You can also create a scrapbook together and be sure to include memorable stories from your loved one’s life that will make them smile.
Physical Stimulation
It is essential to help your loved one exercise their brain, but they can exercise their brain while exercising other muscles as well. Music therapy, such as our Alive Inside and Choral Health Music program can be very beneficial for individuals with cognitive challenges. Music therapy can relate to singing songs, playing instruments, playing music or dancing. Another activity you can with your loved one can be cleaning or organizing. Especially if mom or dad kept the house clean in their younger years. These activities can include folding towels, sweeping, or gardening.
Social Engagement
Having social stimulation is also pertinent for keeping your loved one with memory impairments healthy. Social interaction has been directly linked to lowering risks of depression, disability, and mortality. Making sure mom or dad are creating or maintaining social engagements can benefit their brain health and overall health. A great way to ensure this is to help your loved one join a club that focuses on a hobby that they thoroughly enjoy. Our HarborChase memory care programs also support sociability in groups such as our Memories Art classes.
There are numerous activities to do with your loved one with cognitive challenges. Together you can play a card or board game, make lemonade, bake cookies, fold laundry, sing songs, make a scrapbook, or even color. We want all our residents to stay mentally, physically, and socially stimulated. All of these factors contribute significantly to your loved one’s health benefits and cognitive functions. There are endless ways to keep each other engaged and active, and HarborChase is here to help.
Find your community to schedule a tour and learn more today!