If you’re a caregiver for an older adult with dementia, it can be stressful trying to find a variety of activities that keep your loved one engaged and happy in a way that maintains or improves their quality of life. You may think keeping a person with dementia in the house is the best way to keep them safe. However, many research studies show that having access to the outdoors greatly benefits people with dementia.
Outings are important activities for seniors with dementia. Though they may seem difficult to plan, there are quite a few activities that you can do out of the house with dementia patients, either as a group or individually.
What is Dementia?
Many people think that dementia is a disease with a specific diagnosis. In reality, dementia is a mix of symptoms that affect a person’s thoughts and social skills enough that it impairs their ability to live life normally. Some of the most common symptoms that people with dementia experience are memory loss, forgetfulness, trouble thinking clearly, and reduced social skills.
Leaving the House with Dementia Patients: Plan Ahead
Getting outside is a fantastic way to reduce stress and improve a person’s overall health and happiness. The same goes for older adults with dementia. Outings are vital experiences for dementia patients but must be planned carefully to prevent the agitation, confusion, and wandering behaviors typical of people with dementia.
To plan properly for leaving the house with someone with dementia, you should plan the outing carefully and nail down every last detail. Many people with dementia have certain times of the day that are better than others. You should try to plan your activity to occur during a time when a senior with dementia is normally in a good place. You should also incorporate parts of the person’s daily routine into your schedule and keep the activity reasonably short, no more than a few hours.
16 Ideas for Organized Outings for Seniors with Dementia
Choosing the right activity for an outing with dementia patients depends on the condition and preferences of the person or group of people you’ll be taking out. If you’re having trouble thinking of something, we’ve created a list of 16 ideas for organized outings for seniors with dementia. They all suit a group outing or some one-on-one time.
Go for a walk in nature.
Take swimming lessons or water aerobics.
Go dancing at a seniors club.
Take yoga lessons.
Get your nails or hair done.
Visit an aquarium or zoo (try going when it’s not busy).
Sing karaoke.
Play board games at a cafe.
Hit the gym for a light workout.
Watch dogs at the dog park.
Have a picnic.
Take a cooking class.
Do some crafts in the park.
Tinker on an old car or machine.
The Cedars Retirement Community
The Cedars Retirement Community is a beautiful lakeside retirement residence located just outside Fort Wayne, Indiana. We believe in providing the highest quality of life and opportunity for older adults, including seniors with dementia. We offer a wide array of recreational activities for our residents and plan social outings regularly.
Please reach out today to schedule a visit or learn more.