Some people with dementia might develop a fatalistic attitude and decide that there’s no point in staying mentally active. But the reality is that even with dementia, your senior can greatly benefit in a variety of ways from keeping her brain working every day.
Her Self-esteem Improves
When someone isn’t able to stay as active as they would like, their self-esteem can suffer. If your elderly family member is still performing tasks on a daily basis, that helps her to feel a sense of accomplishment. Your elderly family member still has abilities that she can use, even with dementia.
She Feels Productive
As your elderly family member’s capabilities change, she may feel less and less useful. But participating in even simple activities, like sorting laundry, gives her a sense of purpose that she might have been lacking. These activities work her brain a bit, but they also boost how she feels about herself and what she’s able to do.
She’s Got a Routine
Routines are incredibly helpful for people with dementia because routines offer them a structure that they badly need. The routine helps your senior to feel more comfortable, especially when she’s confused or uncertain about what else is going on. Developing a routine doesn’t have to be complicated, either. Even a loose routine can help your senior to feel more grounded.
Her Energy Can Be Better Spent
Many aging adults who have dementia expend excess energy in what are called challenging behaviors. These behaviors can be mystifying and they might involve repetitive questioning, wandering, and other activities that involve acting out. When your elderly family member is motivated to stay active in other ways, she’s spending her energy in ways that are more beneficial for her and for you.
Dementia Progression Might Slow Down
Every situation is different, but the human brain works a bit like a muscle. The more your elderly family member uses her brain, the more she’s able to exercise it. When she stays active mentally, your elderly family member may be able to slow down the speed at which her dementia progresses. Work with her medical team to make sure this is the right solution for her.
Home care services providers can help you to determine which activities are both most enjoyable and most helpful for your aging adult. From there, they can help you to make sure that your senior’s routine works as well as possible for her.
