Memory loss is one of those conditions that can negatively impact the quality of life that your loved one enjoys. People suffering from dementia will struggle to do basic activities such as running errands, managing their finances, and so on. In severe cases, they may even be in danger when operating machinery such as automobiles or household chores such as meal preparation. The good news is that the impact of dementia can be significantly reduced through physical activities. In this article, we tell you how seniors with dementia can improve the quality of life they live through physical activities.
Increased Strength
While dementia may not have an effect on your physical strength, having the energy to move around can have a positive effect on dementia patients. For example, being physically active can give you the energy to undertake hobbies such as painting, learning a musical instrument, and much more. All these activities in turn have a healing effect on memory loss conditions. Being able to d the things you love is also mentally relaxing and this in turn helps to reduce stress and even depression. In the long run, being physically active will have a net positive effect on most dementia patients.
Mental Stimulation
Activities that stimulate the mind and allow dementia patients to improve their cognitive abilities can also have a positive effect on dementia patients. Activities such as games, creative arts, and so on help stimulate the imagination. This not only allows your loved one to stay focused but it helps to improve the transmission of signals in the brain. This n turn can slow down the progress of dementia, allowing your loved one to have a better quality of life.
Social Activities
When your loved one is involved in social activities such as singing in a choir r being part of a book club, there are many positive effects that can help slow down the progress of dementia. Being with other people and doing things that one loves helps to reduce boredom and stress. These can often lead to depression if unchecked. When your loved one enjoys a vibrant social life, they are less likely to fall prey to problems such as depression. This in turn has a net positive effect on the quality of life that they live. Being with other people also helps to stimulate their brains and allows them to learn new things. In turn, this keeps their mind active and may help to slow down the progress of dementia.
Self Actualization
When we are engaged in doing the things we love, we are more likely to be happy and less stressed. Your loved one gets a chance to enjoy doing things that they love during their stay at a retirement community. They can volunteer for causes that are close to their hearts or even travel to places that they have always wanted to go. The effect of this is more mental contentment as they get to self-actualize. This in turn fosters a spirit of gratitude and helps to keep your loved one happy. These positive mental effects can help mitigate the effects of dementia and can encourage your loved one to strive for a more independent lifestyle, rather than sink into depression.
