If you’ve been caring for an individual who has dementia, you are probably aware of the unique challenges associated with loss of memory and changes in personality. The person who suffers from this condition may feel vulnerable and anxious. You may sometimes feel frustrated and even fearful, especially if the person is your parent or another close relative. However, if you know how to help an individual to manage this condition, you will find that there are many ways to combat its effects. One way that family members can offer assistance is to hire a professional to aid in dealing with many of the daily tasks that a person with dementia might need done.

Another way to provide assistance to such an individual is to encourage the person to be as active as possible. A senior might participate in a wide range of activities that exercise the body and stimulate the brain. Keeping active will enable an individual to feel better in general, and it could even help to deter the typical symptoms of dementia. Whether you are a professional caregiver or a person who has a relative with dementia, you might consider getting that person involved in the community and engaged in activity. The following are a few of the top activities for seniors with dementia in West Los Angeles.

The Healing Power of Volunteering

When people volunteer their time to help others, they often feel more positive about their circumstances. Spending time with those in need can give a senior a new and more balanced perspective on life. An elderly person might be interested in a variety of volunteering opportunities in the West Los Angeles area. If a senior’s memory has not become too impaired, volunteering as a receptionist at a community center might be a viable option. Another possibility might be reading aloud to other seniors who are either too ill to read or who have recently experienced vision loss.

Keeping the Brain Engaged

Brain stimulation is vital for someone with dementia. In fact, certain brain exercises may aid in boosting memory and strengthening cognitive ability overall. An effective technique for engaging the mind is playing with a puzzle. The puzzle could be a jigsaw, a crossword, or another variety. Playing with a puzzle can also be an enjoyable activity, so a senior may be more inclined to do it regularly.

Learning a language could also be helpful for your client or family member with impaired cognitive function. Research indicates that people who learn a second language – even if they do so as adults – may experience less cognitive decline as seniors. Even if the senior in your life is not able to master a new language or learn to speak it fluently, the act of learning it can help to keep the mind in better shape. Additionally, many individuals enjoy the challenge associated with practicing the language they’re learning; you might consider joining your relative or client in this activity and conversing in the language with him or her.

Getting the Body Moving

A person who has begun to experience memory loss or cognitive decline may feel depressed and unmotivated to leave the home. However, getting regular exercise is crucial to the mind, body, and spirit of a senior with dementia. If the senior in your life likes to swim, taking an organized water exercise class could be a great idea. Another strategy for getting more exercise is simply to go outdoors. Stoner Recreation Center (on Stoner Avenue in West Lost Angeles) is an ideal outdoor destination to take an elderly person. The Center has a Japanese garden near the pool that a senior may appreciate while taking a walk through the area. There is also a senior center at this location, so an elderly individual might exercise with others who are in the same age group.

Living with dementia does not need to be an isolating experience. The senior you’re caring for has you to count as a positive aspect in his or her life. Once you help this person explore activities for seniors with dementia in West Los Angeles, the individual will likely experience a sense of overall well-being.

Photo by Neil Kremer