Visiting your parents at a memory care home in Suwanee, GA, can be a rewarding experience. Engaging in brain stimulating activities together can help maintain their cognitive abilities while creating precious memories. Here are 7 best activities that you can try with your parents during your visits.
Music Therapy
- Singing and dancing: Music has a powerful effect on people with dementia, often triggering memories and emotions. Sing along to their favorite songs or dance together to help boost their mood and cognitive function.
- Playing instruments: Encourage your parents to play simple musical instruments like tambourines, maracas, or hand drums. This can help improve their motor skills and provide a fun, creative outlet.
Art and Crafts
- Painting and drawing: Engaging in artistic activities can help your parents express themselves and stimulate their creative side. Provide them with paper, paints, or colored pencils, and encourage them to create their own artwork.
- Craft projects: Simple craft projects like making greeting cards, decorating picture frames, or creating collages can be enjoyable and therapeutic. Choose crafts that are within their skill level and can be completed in a single session.
Reminiscing Activities
- Looking at old photos: Browse through family photo albums together and encourage your parents to share their memories and stories. This can help strengthen their sense of identity and connection with the past.
- Creating a memory box: Fill a box with items that hold sentimental value, such as letters, souvenirs, or small trinkets. Explore the contents of the memory box together and discuss the significance of each item.
Puzzle and Board Games
- Jigsaw puzzles: Puzzles can help improve cognitive function and provide a sense of accomplishment. Choose puzzles with larger pieces and simpler images for an enjoyable and stimulating experience.
- Board games: Play board games like checkers, dominoes, or bingo with your parents. These games can promote social interaction, mental engagement, and friendly competition.
Gardening Activities
- Indoor gardening: Encourage your parents to care for small potted plants or create a mini herb garden. Gardening can provide a sense of purpose, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
- Outdoor gardening: If the memory care home has a garden, engage in simple gardening tasks like planting flowers, watering plants, or raking leaves. This can help your parents connect with nature while staying physically active.
Cooking and Baking
- Preparing simple recipes: Work together to prepare simple, familiar recipes like sandwiches or fruit salads. This can help your parents maintain their independence and feel a sense of accomplishment.
- Baking cookies or muffins: Baking can be a fun, sensory-rich activity that provides an opportunity for social interaction and reminiscing. Choose easy recipes that can be completed in a short amount of time.
Animal Therapy
- Visiting therapy animals: Many memory care homes offer animal therapy programs, where trained therapy animals visit the residents. Interacting with these animals can help reduce stress, increase social interaction, and improve overall mood.
- Watching nature videos: If your parents enjoy animals but cannot interact with them directly, consider watching nature documentaries or videos together. This can provide mental stimulation and promote relaxation.
