Games and Activities To Defeat Dementia

Dementia, and in particular Alzheimer's disease, as its most common manifestation, is a serious disease that is associated with impaired human cognitive abilities. This disease affects both the memory and the processes of thinking or the mind which has severe negative consequences for the daily life of the patient. Dementia is a serious public health problem both because of its high prevalence and because it has serious social and economic consequences for both the patient and his relatives. The negative impact on the family is often exacerbated by the lack of medical and economic resources. This is a common occurrence when relatives caring for a patient with dementia feel tired of constant responsibility and effort without adequate support.

It is important enabling a person with dementia to remain independent as long as possible. Therefore, exercises for cognitive stimulation of the brain of patients with dementia can slow down the deterioration of their cognitive abilities. At the same time, such exercises occupy the patient, distract him from boredom and help reduce the destructive urges that relatives of dementia patients often encounter.

Plasticine Modeling

Give the patient a ball of plasticine and ask him to mould something from him: a dog, a cake, a pear or an ashtray. Plasticine moulding is useful for training hands and stimulating coordination. In addition, it is a fun exercise that is suitable for the whole family and unites generations. Use this game to bring together three generations, and teach your grandchildren, grandparents to enjoy joint activities with a common goal: to create and fantasize.

Object Classification

Invite a relative with dementia to classify objects. For example, you can ask him to put things in order in a box with buttons, namely to sort them by colour or size. You can also use foods such as vegetables, fruits, cereals, or thread for this exercise.

These activities will serve to stimulate executive functions, abstraction and reasoning. At the same time, the patient will be able to feel necessary, because you offer him to help you with the housework (even if you could have done without this help).

Board Games

Board games are great allies to stimulate the cognitive functions of our relatives, and also help to have a good time with our family. Play lotto, checkers or monopoly. Of course, the types of games should not be too complicated. Choose games that are adapted to the capabilities of your family, all your relatives should understand the rules and enjoy the process.

If you do not have the opportunity to devote your time to games, you can use the resources of the global network. For example, show the patient how easy it is to play bingo on the Internet. Remember only that for your own peace it is better to look for free versions of the game or choose an option with min deposit 1 dollar - then you will be calm that your loved one will not spend all the money. But in case of a win, he will be doubly pleased.

Puzzles

The simplest way to entertain your relative who has Alzheimer is to propose him or her to play puzzles. Buy some of craft them yourself – it’s quite easy. By the way, you can also launch your relative to help you in crafting puzzles – cutting them from cardboard. Both cutting and playing puzzles are activating motor functions and stimulate cognitive functions.

Crosswords

Stock up on crossword puzzles or install an app to play on your computer. Invite the patient to guess the words. And if you take up this hobby together, it will be even more fun. At the same time, you will practice your memory.

Such activities do not require much effort or expense. But the results with regular classes will allow you to maintain a mental level in patients with Alzheimer's, and in some cases also improve cognitive functions. And remember that the best therapy is to spend time with them, to surround them with the necessary love, care, understanding, to help them feel useful and important.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.