Interactive Activities with Dementia Patients

interactive activities for dementia patients

Dementia is a degenerative brain disorder whose symptoms appear at a later age; in most cases, this is most often after the age of 60. This disorder affects memory, cognitive abilities, behavior, and the capacity to work or do daily tasks. Statistics have shown that there are approximately 50 million people affected by this illness all around the world. The symptoms of dementia can vary in extremities in every individual; not every patient will show the same level of the disorder. However, almost every dementia patient in palliative care will show results of this disease’s severity.

Gentle Transitions is a one-of-a-kind family-based hospice that you can refer to for all things hospice. Waco, Texas, has a senior population that needs a hospice like Gentle Transitions, one that can take care of those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. The activities we offer our dementia/Alzheimer’s patients are interactive, mindful of their condition, and helpful in their overall care.

Here are some helpful interactive activities for dementia patients. It allows loved ones of the dementia patients to also participate and spend time with them:

· Activity apron: This is a fun and wholesome activity where patients at any stage of dementia are given a special apron/bib that stimulates their visual and tactile senses. The apron engages patients with dementia and even those with Alzheimer’s with its vibrant colors and designs/textures. With its deep knowledge of these disorders, Gentle Transitions aims to be a caring provider that goes beyond being just a traditional hospice in Central & North Texas when it comes to providing helpful tools.

· Physical activity: Light-hearted workouts and exercise can stimulate motor skills and create positive feelings within patients. Physical activity can include walking in a park and water aerobics. However, be mindful of the physical and cognitive condition of the individual with dementia.

· Be around nature: A trip to a national park, a small berry-picking excursion, or some time dedicated to gardening can positively impact patients.

· Music therapy: Music is a powerful tool that soothes and relaxes people. It can be a source of comfort and a reminder of their lives so far. Sometimes nostalgia is all they need; hence, assist dementia patients in reliving their past.

· Art Therapy: Artistic activities can help dementia patients exercise their cognitive abilities. Provide dementia patients with art supplies, such as paint, knitting materials, clay, colors, and crayons, and let them express themselves.

These are just some examples of collaborative and interactive activities that you can enjoy with your loved ones and/or patients with dementia/Alzheimer’s. There are many more ways to help them escape their condition, even for a little while. For example, you can go on a picnic, solve puzzles together, play chess with them, read their favorite books to them, etc. Our staff is ready to receive your elderly loved one and provide these activities to them, these activities are also great for veterans. Waco long term care providers that offer these activities are few and far between, and Gentle Transitions Hospice is proud to be one of them.

How to cope with the Loss of a Loved One

Losing a loved one or a dear friend is extremely heartbreaking and emotionally draining. It’s hard to say goodbye to someone you’ve known and spent years with and see them leave this world. The best thing you can do for them and yourself is to hope and pray they rest in peace.

Here are some ways that will help you cope with this loss:

· Face and Process Your Grief: It’s always advisable to let your emotions out as much as you can once you have experienced losing someone close to you. Holding on to your grief and ignoring it will only make you frustrated. You’ll end up projecting your anger and problems on other people or situations.

· Turn to friends and family members: The death of a loved one can make you appreciate the people around you — those who have been there for you in your time of need and will continue to help you with your grief. Hence, seek help and comfort from them and surround yourself with positivity and affection.

· Find a support group: Sometimes, it’s hard to explain and acknowledge your pain in front of your close friends and family. You need to find your people, understand your pain, and learn how to grieve openly with a group of people that have been in similar situations.

· Take your time: It takes time to become your regular self again; hence, don’t rush this process. Take your time to grieve but don’t a lot of time in isolation; otherwise, you’ll spiral into a whirlpool of sadness, leading towards depression. Be grateful for your life, and make use of it by taking small steps towards betterment.

· Engage in an activity- Try trying things that you wouldn’t have otherwise; make the most of your time on this Earth. Appreciate the beauty of the world around you that is still present. Experiment with new hobbies that you can even enjoy alone, such as gardening, yoga, walking, painting, etc.

· Talk to a counselor/therapist: A grief counselor can be immensely helpful in guiding you through your stages of grief. If you feel lost, abandoned, or aimless, visiting a therapist may help you find your way and make you deal with your intense emotions.

· Prepare yourself: If you are still in a state where small objects, memories, and memorandum could trigger and pull you into a dark phase again, it’s best to avoid those things. Keep personal belongings of your loved ones separate from your life and face them when you are ready. Plan ahead of important dates such as birthdays and anniversaries so that you are not in a compromising emotional state.

For local grief/bereavement support in the Waco-Temple-Killeen, TX area, please contact Gentle Transitions Hospice at: 254-598-1389, or visit our online Facebook support group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/485494771832402/

Best Hospice Care in central & north texas – Providing Comfort and Care for Your Loved Ones

Searching for the top hospice care for your loved ones is not an easy task. At this stage, you have come to terms with the persisting condition of someone close to you, be it a family member, a friend, or some other relation. You want to make sure they are in good hands and are happy in the place they will be spending the last phase of their lives.

At Gentle Transitions, we aim to ease your pain as best as possible by providing premium services and a high level of care to your loved ones.

Gentle Transitions serves patients within a 60-mile radius of Waco, Temple, and Killeen, Texas and within a 60-mile radius of Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. We aim to serve as many patients as we can in Central and North Texas, while delivering the best quality care.

Why choose us?

· Family-Owned – At Gentle Transitions, we pride ourselves on being a family-owned and locally funded organization where we respect our patients and treat them as a part of us. We value traditional hospice methods, which is why your family member will never feel alone or isolated under our care and supervision.

· Round-the-Clock Nursing Staff – End-of-life care and 24/7 on-call availability from nurses are essential for any hospice care to help patients transition. Gentle Transitions has highly qualified and skilled staff ready to attend to your needs and your loved ones needs.

· Physician Care – Gentle Transitions hospice offers physician oversight, where trained and experienced doctors are called to manage and give advice on the patients care. Hence, being a hospice serving Central & North Texas, that upholds high standards, we provide a solution to all end of life problems and are ready to deal with any changes or deterrence in the patients’ health.

· Pet Therapy – During their last days, people want to spend time with their family and friends and remain as content and happy as they can. We offer pet therapy, which creates an environment of affection, warmth, and pure joy. As a caring organization, Gentle Transitions hospice appreciates bringing as much gratification to the patients as possible.

· We Honor Veterans Program (WHVP) – We strongly believe in honoring our dear veterans, our country’s pride and glory. We support our veterans through this program by creating a network of peer veterans, volunteers, and nurses who understand the hardships of combat, a soldier’s life, and the pain felt by someone at their life’s end. We have a trained staff that caters to each veteran’s special and unique needs using their military history checklist and offer physical and psychological help accordingly.

· Transitional Care Program – This one-of-a-kind program has been created for patients with serious illnesses who are still searching for feasible options to deal with their conditions. We provide support, professional advice, and facilitation of the family’s needs in this process. Our goal is to guide you in the best direction and make the lives of our patients easier.

Consider choosing Gentle Transitions if you are looking for a hospice in Central or North Texas , that you can trust with the care of your loved one. We provide high-quality care for folks at the last stages of their life and those seeking transitional care while aiming to bring solace to those close to them. #waco #temple #killeen #belton #centraltexas #northtexas #dfw #dallas #cleburne #waxahachie #arlington #desoto #redoak #northtexas