5 Tips for Improving Daily Life for Dementia Patients

​Watching a loved one grapple with dementia is difficult, and it can be even harder to know what to do. There are simple ways to help improve the daily lives of those who deal with dementia. We rounded up some helpful strategies you can put into practice today.

Choose Activities That They Enjoy

​Dementia patients often become frustrated because they are unable to accomplish many of the chores and extracurricular activities that they enjoyed for many years. To help with easing this frustration, find activities that your loved one can still do. For instance, singing to music, doing arts and crafts, taking part in simple guided projects, and doing basic puzzles can give your loved one joy and a sense of accomplishment. 

Try to Keep a Consistent Routine

​People who deal with dementia can become stressed if their schedule changes too often or if they have to regularly travel to various out-of-town locations. To prevent agitation from too many changes, try to keep the dementia patient’s bedtime, medicine, meal, and activity schedule consistent. 

Don’t Forget to Laugh

​With so many of the daily struggles that come from dementia and aging, life can become difficult and depressing for people who deal with dementia. A great tip for improving your loved one’s daily life is to remember to laugh. Tell them jokes, read a joke book to them, show them a clip of a funny comedian, or recall funny stories from their past.

​Build Social Connections

​Dementia patients don’t like to feel isolated and detached from the social world. Staying connected with people of all ages is important for dementia patients. Giving them opportunities to meet new friends, spend time with young children, and visit with family will be a wonderful mood booster. Our memory care programs at Martin Luther Campus use social connections as a key component of dementia care.

​Eliminate Distractions

People with dementia can become confused and agitated when there are multiple activities going on all at once. When you are visiting with your loved one, turn off the TV, music, or other distractions so that it will be easier for them to focus on the conversation at hand. It may be difficult for your loved one to distinguish between what is going on in the room and what is happening on TV, so remember to keep distractions to a minimum.
 
At The Martin Luther Memory Care Center, we offer 24-hour staffing, care plans based on detailed assessments of each individual, assistance with daily living activities, engaging activities like music making, exercise and balance programs, and more! Are you interested in transitioning to assisted living or do you have a loved one that needs assisted living? Call us at 952-888-7751.
 
References:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-you-improve-quality-of-life-in-alzheimers-disease-9773
https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/features/tips-for-daily-life#1
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Martin Luther Campus is part of the Ebenezer family of Lutheran Senior Care Communities. We provide transitional care and assisted living apartments for seniors in Bloomington. We also have adult day clubs and memory care programs for seniors living at home. We’re located at 1401 East 100th St. Bloomington, MN. Are you interested in transitioning to assisted living or do you have a loved one that needs assisted living? Call Amy at 952-948-5167 for more information and to schedule a tour today.