When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia it can be extremely difficult for both the family and the diagnosed person. Family members may be unsure of what to do to help with this difficult process. There are many ways to help your loved one transition into this new stage of life feeling secure. Some things you can do to help may include;
Reminiscing on the past: they know they will forget many details from their life so having you to reiterate the details can be a comfort. Showing old photos, playing their favorite music, or watching home videos can help stimulate memories and give them a sense of security.
Crafts and Hobbies: bring out the creativity in your loved one. Stimulating the brain with crafts can help reduce anxiety and comfort. Create a scrapbook with photos or mementos, You may add old tickets to evets or plane tickets showing places they have been over the years.
Outdoor Activities: getting your loved ones out in the fresh air can be beneficial to their overall health. Keeping them active keeps seratonin levels up. Things like gardening or taking short distance walks provides loved ones with physical excerise. Stimulating sight, sound smell, touch is beneficial to the mental and emotional health.
