How to Maintain Connections with Aging Adults Who Have Memory Loss
By Home Care Assistance Des Moines 8 am on
Caring for an elderly loved one is a labor of love, as any adult child knows. However, it becomes a tough situation when your loved one begins to lose his or her memory, and often both parties become easily frustrated. However, there are creative ways to continue making lasting memories with a loved one who’s experiencing memory loss. Here are a few suggestions.
Hobbies
Find a hobby your loved one can still enjoy doing. Try cooking your loved one’s favorite dish together, as stimulating the senses is one of the best things for seniors with memory loss. Also, you could spend time making a scrapbook with old and new photos. The photos can be a reference point for your loved one and help him or her remember who’s who. The important thing is that you’re spending time together and showing your loved one that you value him or her. Interacting with other people can help older adults stimulate their brains and boost their memory. For families living in Des Moines, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Exercise
Take a leisurely walk with your loved one, even if it’s just around the block. Walking, like any exercise, releases endorphins, which can boost mood. Taking a walk at the same time every day can also help your loved one remember the exercise and associate you with it. Sometimes, seniors with memory loss have difficulty communicating or following a discussion. Going for a walk outside gives you both easy things to talk about, such as flowers, trees, interesting houses, or pets you may see on your walk. Some seniors require assistance to exercise safely.Home careexperts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Gardening
Like cooking, gardening can be a great way to engage the senses and help your loved one recall long-term memories, even if his or her short-term memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Gardening is also a great way to fit physical activity into the day, and it will give your loved one a sense of purpose. It’s never easy when a loved one’s memory begins to slip, but focusing on what he or she can’t remember only makes it worse. Enjoy new (or old) hobbies, and begin to create new memories with your loved one. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality at-home care. Des Moines families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. If you need compassionate professional care for your loved one, call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (515) 264-2438.
