Activities can help keep Alzheimer's patients engaged

This is part 2 is a series of 3 stories posted by the RGJ on Alzheimer's.
Part 2: 9/14/2013

Alzheimer’s patients depend largely on caregivers and friends to fill the day with activities that can add pleasure, reduce stress and pass the time.

Here are a few activities you can do together.

Around town: Tour the city on a bus, an inexpensive and accessible mode of transit. Eat out someplace new. Visit an adult day-care center. Watch things that move, like clouds.

Household activities: Set the table. Polish and sort silverware. Wash the car. Match nuts and bolts. Arrange flowers.

Outdoor chores: Plant seeds. String cereal to hang outside for the birds. Plant a tree. Rake leaves.

Exercise: Play balloon volleyball, putt a golf ball, toss a beach ball or throw rubber horseshoes.

Stimulate the soul: Snack on a favorite childhood food. Read stories aloud from a newspaper or magazine. Have a spelling bee. Make homemade ice cream. Cut out paper dolls. Make holiday or birthday cards. Clean out a pumpkin. Blow bubbles.

Tap memory: Reminisce about the first day of school. Remember great inventions. Make a family-tree poster. Recall a favorite summer. Name the presidents.

Points to remember

• Limit distractions.

• Keep the noise level low.

• Select one activity at a time.

• Keep projects on a small scale and do one step at a time. Repetitive movements are easiest.

• Maintain proper communication. Establish eye contact and smile often. Speak clearly with short sentences.

• Don’t argue over correct answers. Be patient.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association