Stimulating Activities for Alzheimer’s

Finding enjoyable and stimulating activities that are within the ability level of your loved one with Alzheimer’s can be a challenge to do alone. That’s why we’ve put together this list of activities that are both fun and stimulating for people who have Alzheimer’s. 

Creating Art

Creating art (whether it’s through painting, drawing, sculpting or another art activity) is an activity that can be both calming and stimulating. Since creating art is a relaxing activity, it can help reduce aggressive behavior and it can also stimulate the brain in a creative way. Experts say that creating art can help with the self- expression of people who have Alzheimer’s. At the Martin Luther Campus Memory Care Community, we partner with Northern Clay and the Bloomington Center for the Arts to provide art therapy for our residents. We offer fun art activities like water coloring, making bean mosaics, crafts, and more! 

Music

​Studies have shown that many adults with Alzheimer’s can still remember the music that they enjoyed throughout their childhood and adult life. Playing an instrument or listening to music is a stimulating activity for those with Alzheimer’s, because the part of our brains that is stimulated when we hear music is called the “salience network” and this section of our brains is rarely affected by dementia and mental illness. At the Martin Luther Campus Memory Care Community, we partner with MacPhail Music for Life to offer our residents music therapy and enjoyable activities like drumming, music making, and more! 

Physical Activities

​Engaging in physical activity can improve coordination, increase strength and flexibility and can be mentally stimulating. According to a study involving 50 adults with mild Alzheimer’s, if those with Alzheimer’s exercised at least three times weekly for 40 minutes, their cognitive function scores increased and their adverse psychiatric symptoms declined. Some great examples of exercises for individuals with Alzheimer’s are dancing, gardening, stretching, walking, aquatic therapy and water aerobics, and more. At Martin Luther care center, we offer exercise and balance programs, aquatic therapy, and more. 

Board Games, Puzzles and Card Games

​Playing card games, board games, and completing puzzles can be very stimulating. In fact, there are multiple games that have been created to stimulate and invigorate the brains of individuals who have Alzheimer’s. At the Martin Luther Campus Memory Care Community, we offer fun group activities like matching puzzle games, Qwirkle, Shake Loose a Memory, card games, double deck matches, board games, dice games, The Price is Right, and more! 

Simplify Activities

As the disease progresses, it may become more difficult for your loved one to complete certain activities. The good news is that you can adjust and simplify activities and hobbies to match the ability level of your loved one. For instance, someone who cannot play certain instruments anymore can participate in drumming or listening to music, someone who loved running can start taking walks instead, and someone who was an avid reader can now look at the pictures and enjoy a story that is read to them. 

At the Martin Luther Campus Memory Care Community, we are committed to lifelong learning, creative arts engagement, and providing stimulating activities that are designed to promote brain health. Are you interested in transitioning to a memory care community or do you have a loved one that needs memory care? Call Amy at 952-948-5167 for more information and to schedule a tour of the Martin Luther care center today. 

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 and Richfield. 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.

References:
https://blog.caregiverhomes.com/memory-care-activities-stimulating-activities-for-alzheimers-patients
https://www.kindlycare.com/dementia-alzheimers-activities/
https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-10-31-art-therapy-good-for-brain/
https://www.aarp.org/health/dementia/info-2018/dementia-alzheimers-art-therapy-new.html
https://www.verywellhealth.com/exercise-benefits-for-alzheimers-9866