Game Plan for Choosing Activities for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s
Staying Actively Involved with Alzheimer’s Activities
As your beloved senior that is suffering from Alzheimer’s gets comfortable in their routine of activities, stay alert and mindful of their changing stages. Alzheimer’s is an unpredictable disease, and is ever changing, so as the caregiver, be prepared for each changing stage as it comes along. You’ve already prepared to have your loved one involved in activities that can be modified, and now is the time to implement those changes.
The first and most important thing to remember is to be flexible. If your loved one isn’t ready and fights you on starting something, give them time and space to begin in their own time. If they are ready to start, but have a different idea of how they want to do it, let them try it their way. They may surprise you.
If your loved one with Alzheimer’s is struggling with their activity yet you know they are capable, restructure the activity so it is a step by step process, simple to follow and understand.
Remember to work in steps. Don’t overwhelm your loved one by trying to do too much all at once. Like the saying goes, “Slow and steady wins the race.”
There is nothing wrong with prompting and helping from the get go. Helping your loved one with Alzheimer’s start of on the right foot will help them to stay calm and focused, thus, results will be more positive.
Once you help your senior get started, if needed, supervision is acceptable and even more so, encouraged. Once again, break up the task into steps if necessary to make the task more easily understandable and easier to understand and accomplish.
Give yourself and your loved one with Alzheimer’s a break. neither of you will necessarily get it right the first time. It’s not about the results, it’s about the process.