A dementia diagnosis can be very intimidating to individuals and their families. It signals a decline in cognitive abilities, and there isn’t a cure for most memory disorders. Many also fear that the individual affected will no longer be able to engage in activities for their enjoyment or benefit.
People with memory care disorders at all stages can still enjoy activities, even if that participation looks different. Dementia is a memory disorder that refers to the loss of memory, language, and cognitive abilities that affects the ability to function in everyday life. It’s important to know the stages as well as the activities and levels of participation that are best for each stage.
Early-Stage Dementia:
Individuals who are impacted by early-stage dementia may still be able to function independently. Although seniors may still participate in their daily routine, caregivers may start to notice signs of memory decline, like misplacing keys. Symptoms start to have some impact on a senior’s life.
Other common symptoms include:
- Memory Lapses: forgetting or losing items around the house, frequent difficulty finding the right word in conversation, inability to recall recent events
- Difficulty in Planning and Problem-Solving: confusion is more common, and individuals affected by dementia have trouble planning and making complex choices
- Increasing Irritability or Anxiety: mood changes may arise at this stage, where anxiety and depression become more common. Signs of these mood changes include withdrawal from hobbies or socialization and lack of self-confidence.
In the early stages, most seniors can still participate in regular recreational activities. Memory impairment may become evident, especially with memory-related games. Activities that are most beneficial at this stage involve storytelling, memory activities such as word searches and puzzles, and self-expression activities such as painting or singing along to music. Though practicing memory activities may seem counterintuitive, it can be helpful for people with dementia to jog their memory.
Middle-Stage Dementia:
The middle stage of dementia presents changes and symptoms that become much more noticeable, especially to family and friends of those affected. At this point in the disease, many individuals need either reminders or physical assistance with completing activities of daily living (ADLs). Common ADLs include bathing, dressing, and toileting.
Symptoms of Middle-Stage Dementia include:
- Memory Decline: During the middle-stage of dementia, seniors can have difficulty recognizing people in their lives, and repetition of the same question is common. They may also forget basic information about themselves, such as their phone number, age, and home address.
- Confusion Increases: At this stage, seniors with dementia often become more easily disoriented about their surroundings and the time of day, which can increase the risk of wandering.
- Hallucinations and Delusions: Middle-stage dementia often presents issues related to paranoia and seeing or hearing things that are not real. Common delusions among seniors with dementia are that someone is stealing from them or that a lover is cheating on them.
During the middle stage of dementia, many people still desire to participate in recreational activities but may need prompting to start or continue engagement. The best activities for this stage include cognitive skills (such as daily living tasks like folding laundry), easy physical activities such as guided walks, memory activities like watching an old movie, and sorting.
Late-Stage Dementia:
Late-stage dementia has a profound impact not only on those living with the condition but also on their caregivers. At this point, individuals need full-time, 24/7 care around the clock and require physical assistance with every activity of daily living. It’s very common to see drastic personality changes and a loss of ability to control their own movement or respond to the world around them.
Symptoms include:
- Difficulty or loss of ability to communicate
- Increased emotional distress, restlessness, and fear
- Physical immobility: difficulty walking, eating, and swallowing, and incontinence is common at this stage
Individuals who are at the severe stage of dementia have limited abilities to communicate and experience increased emotional difficulty due to memory loss. At this stage, activities should be focused on providing sensory comfort and gentle stimulation to impacted individuals. Even when seniors with dementia can no longer communicate, they may still enjoy and benefit from sensory activities, making engagement especially important at this stage.
Some activities that best support seniors at this stage are gentle stretches, pet therapy, holding hands, and looking at old photos. Social interaction is still important at this stage, regardless of the affected senior’s ability to talk. Friends, family, and caregivers can accomplish this by telling stories or reading to their loved one as well.
Despite the challenges that dementia brings, people with dementia can still find comfort and enjoyment from participating in recreational activities that are fun and mindful of their abilities. It is important to consider that some activities may have to be significantly modified to meet the needs of individuals with moderate to severe dementia, as their cognitive and physical abilities will decline over time. In addition, during the progression of the disease, they may show disinterest in hobbies they’ve previously enjoyed, so new activities may have to replace old ones – and that is totally okay!
Though a dementia diagnosis can be challenging for seniors and their families, recreational activities are a great way to navigate those difficulties and provide stimulation and enjoyment. By utilizing activities that play to the individual’s strengths and capabilities, memory care residents and their caregivers can see positive outcomes. Our community can offer great assistance for dementia residents and their families, providing activities that are tailored to the needs and capabilities of seniors with dementia. Orchard Heights offers 24/7 recreational activities designed for cognitive impairment, providing a variety of entertainment and engagement that has something for every resident. If you or your loved one is struggling with a memory care disorder, we can help. Reach out to us today to book a tour!
