Summertime Activities for Early Stage Alzheimer's or Dementia

Summertime Activities for Early Stage Alzheimer's or Dementia

Summer vacation is in high gear and you're planning your annual trek home to visit relatives, but one of them has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia. Making a home care plan and adapting summertime activities can help everyone to stay active, and connected. Homewatch CareGivers recommends the following home care planning tips for making memories and keeping summertime outings light and fun.

Routine is king.

For individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia, try to schedule outings after breakfast, but before lunch, and be sure to allow plenty of time for an afternoon nap. Whatever your itinerary, plan ahead to ensure that you're equipped to honor mealtimes and medication schedules.

Be Zen.

Rather than trying to lead a conversation, focus on listening, appreciating and affirming the individual with Alzheimer's. Choose a tranquil and familiar location and be sensitive to the impact that altered senses, such as impaired depth perception or hearing, may have on your loved one.

Off the beaten path.

Encourage individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia to get some fresh air by scheduling a daily walk. Keep the walk short, and make sure to avoid busy streets or open spaces where there is too much noise and too many people. Feel free to bring the dog on your walk (animals are therapeutic), or incorporate wildflower or cloud spotting.

Smooth transitions.

Make sure that you are home by dusk and that you turn the lights on early to avoid "Sundowner's Syndrome," which can result in argumentative and uncooperative behavior and is usually aggravated by over-exhaustion.

Play some tunes.

Music has shown to be therapeutic for Alzheimer's. Make your loved one a soundtrack of their favorite songs, encourage them to play an instrument if they know how, or attend a small outdoor concert (be sure to sit far enough away from loud speakers).

Memory lane.

Take some time each week to sit on the porch and reminisce. Remind your loved one about annual family summer vacations, special trips, or summer traditions the use of photos or souvenirs can be fun as well as helpful for Alzheimer's!

Hands-on.

Don't be afraid to engage individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia in their favorite past-times, such as gardening, tennis or golf. If you're looking for ways to moderate daily activity we recommend planting a flower bed instead of a full vegetable garden, visiting the driving range or ball field as an observer, or casually hitting a tennis ball back and forth (net or no net!).

Make a splash.

If your loved one enjoys splashing around and soaking up the sun, find a YMCA or recreation center with an elderly-friendly therapeutic warm pool. Call ahead and find out when there are fewer crowds.

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