Category: Dementia News

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Benefits of Activities: Benefits for Caregivers

It is the hope of most folks to be in their own home for as long as possible. Home caregivers (usually family members) make this possible longer for people who suffer from dementia or other neurological or physiological conditions by helping their loved ones adapt to and cope with limitations in ability, mobility, communication and cognition.

The caregiver is constantly working to stabilize or lessen the progression of disorders with exercise, nutrition, activity, hygiene and generally some mix of medicinal schedules. It can be a very hard and often heartbreaking job, yet so many take it on as a labor of love.

Studies have shown that “the health and general well-being” of a family caregiver can have a direct impact on the quality of life and success of therapy for dementia patients in their care.

Additionally, research indicates that dementia patients have higher rates of behavioral symptoms and mortality when cared for by carers who are stressed, use emotion-based coping (e.g., wishing that the disease would go away), or negative communication strategies.

Finding an effective coping mechanism for both the patient and the caregiver are important for all involved, as everyone’s health and well-being are inter-connected and inter-dependent. Happily, there are many resources for the family caregiver to call on to help with the daunting and difficult task of providing home care for their loved one. Understanding the changing needs and communication strategies of their charges is an important factor in successfully managing a home care situation.

One such sources was provided by the Lewy Body Dementia association, found online here, the document helps to set expectations about caring for people with dementia, and also offers a helpful section titled “Care for the Caregiver” that includes common sense suggestions for maintaining personal equilibrium in the face of such demanding and difficult work.

Many other sources for information and helpful resources for the caregiver can be found online, with many different organizations providing helpful resources for home caregiving needs.

If you need help with finding and connecting with useful resources, drop us an email at customerservice@amindtocare.com and we’ll be happy to pass on any information we have available.

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Benefits of Activities for Seniors: Social Interactions

Why is social interaction important for seniors? Humans are social creatures, and social interactions are important for all humans for a number of very important, very basic reasons.

Human society is based on our shared interactions: the coffee you drink in the morning, the clothes you wear, the car you drive, the book you are reading, the device you are reading it on – all were likely fashioned by a group of people, many of whom you may have never met, but with whom you have interacted – by the very process of buying, using and enjoying the fruits of their labor. No longer isolated hermits in caves, modern humans now depend on many interactions with other humans, directly or indirectly, to meet their daily wants and needs.

Studies have shown a positive correlation between social interaction and well-being, with research suggesting that a greater frequency of social interaction, and a greater variety of social interaction, especially when coupled with physical or mental activities, has a very positive effect on both mental and physical well-being.

Social interaction can become more difficult for those with impaired mental or mobile abilities. When you are having difficulty hearing a conversation, it is harder to participate in that conversation. If you have trouble finding or forming the right words, it is harder to participate in a conversation. The importance of social interaction becomes magnified when it becomes more difficult or infrequent. Opportunities for social interaction are naturally reduced when social activity declines. As the quantity of overall social interaction declines, the quality of the social interaction that does occur becomes more important.

Those who suffer from cognitive or mobility issues sometimes begin to withdraw from social interactions in reaction to their reduced capabilities. But, attention by the caregiver to the quality and quantity of the social interactions of the senior can make a significant impact in counteracting this tendency.

The A Mind to Care Activity Therapy System is a unique, patented, no-batteries-required game and activity system, designed to allow seniors to continue to enjoy the games and activities they used to.

Whether the activities are for those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke or any number of conditions resulting in physical or cognitive impairment, the Activity System was designed to allow people with impaired ability to engage in activities and games more easily – enhancing the well-being of both the subject and the caregiver.

– Scott Silknitter