More than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), making it the seventh leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability. It can be devastating for a loved one to receive a dementia diagnosis due to the psychological, physical, economic, and social impacts of this disease.
How is your family managing the new lifestyle with a loved one who is experiencing cognitive decline? As the person loses their ability to process thought, this condition starts to affect orientation, thinking, memory, comprehension, language, learning capacity, and judgment. As a result, someone living with dementia often experiences problems with emotional control, mood, motivation, and behavior.
Even though there is no cure for cognitive decline, the good news is that doctors are finding ways to slow the progression of this disease. Specific life enrichment activities for assisted living are helpful to stimulate cognition and help a person maintain the best quality of life despite their diagnosis.
Life Enrichment Activities and Lifestyle Factors to Slow Cognitive Decline
A person’s environment and daily routines play an essential role in minimizing the impact of cognitive decline. Those living with dementia need progressive care: minimal care is required in the beginning, but ongoing support is necessary as the disease progresses.
Families can see why wellness programs are important through all stages of the disease: from diagnosis through transitions and changes in lifestyle and living conditions. However, it can be frightening for both those living with dementia and their family members and an emotionally charged situation as you navigate tough decisions relating to the person’s care and wellbeing.
The good news is that families don’t need to come up with assisted living life enrichment activities on their own. Instead, a better idea is to explore local wellness programs for seniors with integrated cognitive programs. Life Enrichment Activities for those living with dementia can be engaging and uplifting. We strive to find the right activity for each individual in our care.
Holistic Approach: Wellness Programs for Seniors
Dementia care is available in the home, although many families eventually choose an assisted living community, so those living with dementia receive optimal support in their time of need. Caregivers find it challenging to balance wellness programs and work-life balance, which is why it’s crucial to find a provider to help with assisted living daily life enrichment programs for loved ones.
A holistic approach utilizes multiple tools to help those living with dementia with early, mid-stage, or advanced dementia. For example, these tools are helpful when those living with dementia exhibits sundowning syndrome symptoms. Looking for a Sundowning Syndrome Definition? Sundowning in those living with dementia is known as “late-day confusion” that extends into the night. Look up the sundowning medical definition to see how those living with dementia experience increased frustration, confusion, and agitation during this time of day.
When we see sundowning symptoms in dementia, or other worsening signs of cognitive decline, these are some of the tools and assisted living daily enrichment activities that can be used for support and cognitive stimulation:
Music Therapy in Elderly
There are many uses of music for cognitive support, including music therapy for concentration and cognitive stimulation. In fact, some holistic providers suggest music therapy for health and wellness and specific conditions – including music therapy for hypertension. Music can improve the quality of life for people with dementia by reducing anxiety and aggression, especially when they participate by singing along with the music.
What Aromatherapy Is Best for Cognitive Decline
When those living with dementia are experiencing intense moments with agitation, aggression, and other psychotic symptoms, aromatherapy can be a powerful tool for calming and soothing. Aromatherapy for cognitive decline is a complementary treatment to use with other lifestyle adjustments. Lavender, jasmine, chamomile, and bergamot are all calming and citrus scents like grapefruit, lemon and lime are invigorating and mentally stimulating.
The Role Environmental Factors Play In Sundowning Syndrome Symptoms
When someone living with dementia gets upset, their environment plays a vital role in minimizing symptoms of agitation and frustration. For example, if the person is prone to sundowning syndrome symptoms, then make sure to create a quiet, peaceful environment during the early evening hours: reading, a slow walk around the neighborhood, soothing music in the background, and the person’s favorite activity or snack.
Full-Service Support for Those Living with Dementia and Cognitive Decline
Cadence Connections is a specialized program for those living with dementia, providing full-service solutions to support their physical, mental, and emotional health. Even mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can disrupt a person’s lifestyle and take a toll on the family. As cognitive decline continues, it’s essential to have access to ongoing support from a dedicated memory care team.
This personalized treatment program includes options for assisted living and independent living – with a variety of assisted living daily enrichment activities designed specifically for memory care needs. Call us at your convenience to schedule a tour of our Cadence Living Communities.
