Memory care patients often spend most of their time alone and unstimulated. This can lead to declines in mental and physical health.
A variety of group activities available can help care for these patients. The activities can help the patients and their families socialize, exercise, and feel connected to one another. Here are the 20 group activities for memory care patients.
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Is Memory Care The Same As Alzheimer’s?
Memory care refers to specialized care for people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Therefore, memory care is not the same as Alzheimer’s disease.
Residents’ health is usually closely monitored by staff in a secure environment. A critical difference between senior care and memory care is that memory care is intended for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Patients with dementia do not have to be included in memory care. For those who do not have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia but need help bathing, dressing, and getting out of bed, memory care homes are available.
How Do You Know When Someone Is Ready For Memory Care?
There are many stages that Alzheimer’s and dementia patients will go through. Quality of life is essential at every stage of life.
However, when someone is ready for memory care depends on their care needs and their memory condition. The following are some common signs that someone may be prepared for memory care:
- There needs to help to remember recent events or activities from everyday life.
- Those activities they used to enjoy—such as hobbies and favorite activities—have decreased interest.
- They were repeating words or phrases repeatedly, even if they knew the answer to questions posed to them verbally or through signs.
- Symptoms include irritability, restlessness, or other abnormal behaviors.
- There is a dramatic change in mood, and the person is less responsive to family and friends for no apparent reason.
20 Group Activities For Memory Care Patients
Residents in memory care can participate in group activities to interact with others and socialize, keeping them mentally stimulated. These 20 engaging and fun activities for memory care patients can help them remain cognitively active and engaged.
- Memory Game:
Group memory game is ideal for patients struggling to recall recent events. Shuffle a group of cards and then place their order of play. Memory games like Lumosity and crosswords are best for memory care patients.
- Card Games:
Residents of memory care facilities can play traditional card games at home with friends, such as spades, hearts, and poker. However, they can also try memory-based versions that require more memory skills (such as Rummy or Go Fish).
- Age-appropriate Activities:
Adapt activities for patients with aging minds who have trouble engaging in complex activities. Using coloring books or memory games that require quick reactions, such as matching pictures to their corresponding words, are examples of such activities.
- Brain Teasers:
A classic way to exercise patients’ memory is to solve brain teasers. Some may be too challenging for care residents, whereas others can be modified (such as those found on Quora).
- Word Puzzles:
Word puzzles are a great way to make memory loss patients feel stronger mentally. Many word puzzles also include memory challenges, so patients can work in groups or individually.
- Story Activities:
Patients who enjoy stories with moral lessons or want to escape from their care environment can enjoy story group activities. You can adapt such activities to suit the patient’s age, interests, and needs.
- Art Activities:
Patients can express themselves through art in ways other than writing down names or telling stories aloud. Additionally, they can provide residents with opportunities to collaborate on projects or socialize with others.
- Group Yoga:
The practice of group yoga can be highly beneficial for patients who suffer from memory loss. Patients sort objects by color or shape as a group during these activities. It exercises their memory and promotes socialization and communication in care settings.
- Short Walk Together:
Walking can help patients exercise their minds and memory. Short walks are suitable for their physical health and allow them to converse with each other and engage in other activities.
- Listen to Soft Music Together:
The sound of soft music can help patients relax and refresh their memories. Additionally, it enhances communication, relationships, and stimulation in care residents.
- Draw and Paint Together:
Art and drawing activities can help patients express themselves creatively while using their memory skills. Additionally, they can collaborate on projects with them and socialize with them.
- Sing a karaoke song together:
A karaoke group activity can be an enjoyable way for patients and residents of care facilities to socialize and develop their memory skills. They can also compete against each other to see who can remember the lyrics best.
- Paint, draw, or Write Stories Together:
Patients can paint, draw, or write stories to share their feelings and experiences with residents. Alternatively, they can work on group projects or write poetry or stories together.
- Play Fun games:
Fun games can be fun for patients to use their memory skills. They can also compete against each other to see who can remember the best items, characters, or words from a story.
- Group Chat:
Residents and patients can communicate using group chat activities, including messaging, chatting, and web conferencing. They can share information and experiences, build relationships, and stay in touch. Memorizing things will be easier with group chat.
- Participating in Group Bible Studies:
Patients and care residents can connect with God through group Bible studies. You can strengthen their faith by learning about Scripture, discussing faith-related topics, and growing closer to God.
- Outing in nature together:
Outings in nature can be an excellent way for patients and care residents to develop their memory skills. The surroundings, where they are, and what they see are all remembered. Socializing and fellowship can also be part of this activity.
- Dance Together:
Residents and patients can dance together to memory-building music. The activity improves concentration, coordination, and balance. Furthermore, it promotes socialization.
- Group sensory therapy:
Patients and care residents can use their memory skills through sensory therapy activities. They can explore textures, smell fine fragrances, and feel cool surfaces. Patients can relax and focus on this activity.
- Group Bingo:
Patients and care residents can play Group Bingo together. Make new friends, improve memory skills, and stay active with this fun activity.
How Can We Help Memory Care?
Memory care helps people who have trouble remembering things with specialized long-term care. The ways we can help memory care patients are many.
Make sure patients schedule their activities carefully to maximize their memory. Empty stomachs are not a good idea for working memory tasks, for example.
You should ensure patients and care residents take their time when working on memory tasks. Both patients and care residents should pace themselves to avoid feeling stressed or frustrated.
Thirdly, patients should have options for memory activities to pick what appeals to them. In this way, they can focus on memory tasks longer without becoming bored. Take memory tasks seriously and avoid napping. The more active they are, the better their memory will be.
What Should You Not Bring To Memory Care?
You should consider the specific needs of seniors when choosing a memory care facility. Accessibility, privacy, and activity levels are all factors. Memory care residents and patients should avoid bringing these items. These include:
- Stressful activities or discussions: Patients can experience stress when dealing with memory tasks.
- Unhealthy Foods: Unhealthy foods increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cancer. In memory care facilities, patients and residents should avoid bringing unhealthy foods.
- Drinking Alcohol: Alcohol can cause dependence, memory problems, and accidents. While some memory care residents may choose to consume alcoholic beverages occasionally, they are generally discouraged from doing so.
- Phones and other electronic devices: The ability to stay connected with friends and family is usually essential to patients and care residents, but refraining from using phones or computers makes this problematic. When in memory care, patients should limit phone calls outside of sessions and screen use.
Verdict
Memory care patients can improve their memory skills by participating in group activities such as memory and puzzle games, yoga sessions, and other group activities.
A variety of activities can be fun and therapeutic, encourage socialization, and build relationships.
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