7 Alzheimer’s Caregivers Give Advice for Keeping Your Loved One Active
Emmy also says that movement benefited her mother. “I noticed that the more active and engaged we kept [my mother], the better off she was overall,” she says. After moving into a care home, Emmy says her mom would often walk back and forth in the hallways. “It became a simple but consistent way to keep her moving,” she says. “Unfortunately, once she couldn’t walk anymore, everything seemed to decline much more quickly.”
5. Experiment until you find methods of engagement that resonate the most.
It may take some trial and error to figure out what works for your loved one. “For example, jigsaw puzzles are on many lists of stimulating activities,” Leslie K., whose husband, Tom, has Alzheimer’s, tells SELF. But Tom was never that interested in jigsaw puzzles.
However, he’s always loved to read. “Frequent visits to the library have been an activity that hits several of his hot buttons,” Leslie says. “He’s with others socially [but it] doesn’t require lots of conversation, the library has a constant supply of new books, and he stays cognitively challenged.”
6. Consider giving them household chores that are safe and can offer a sense of purpose.
Jenny M. helped to care for her mother, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease for more than 13 years. She says her mom always wanted to spend time with the family and help with chores, so they tried to respond to that to keep her engaged and active. “We would include her in all that we did. She loved going to Costco with us and shopping. She loved helping set the table when we had family dinners. Sometimes, we would put a laundry basket full of towels and ask her to help fold them,” she says.
