Best Exercises for People Living With Dementia to Enhance Their Quality of Life

Discover the best activities and exercises for individuals living with dementia.

Engaging in suitable activities and regular exercise can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. These activities not only provide enjoyment but also help maintain physical health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being.

Planning Activities for Individuals with Dementia

When selecting activities, it is essential to consider the person’s interests, abilities, and cultural background. Understanding their former lifestyle, work history, hobbies, and significant life events can guide you in choosing appropriate activities. 

The activities should aim to:

  • Compensate for lost abilities.
  • Promote self-esteem.
  • Maintain existing skills without requiring new learning.
  • Provide enjoyment, pleasure, and social interaction.

It’s important to avoid overstimulation. Be selective with outings, avoiding crowded or noisy environments that might cause distress.

Incorporating Exercise

Regular physical activity offers numerous benefits for individuals with dementia, including improved cardiovascular health, better sleep, and enhanced mood. Before starting any new exercise program, consult with the person’s doctor. A physiotherapist can design an exercise regimen tailored to the individual’s current health and abilities.

Safety Considerations

Safety is paramount when planning activities. Ensure that the environment is secure and that the person is supervised during activities, especially those that are physical in nature. Regularly assess the individual’s abilities and adjust activities accordingly to prevent frustration or injury.

Activities for Later Stages of Dementia

Even in the later stages of dementia, individuals can engage in activities that stimulate the senses:

  • Music: Listening to familiar tunes can evoke memories and improve mood.
  • Sensory Stimulation: Interacting with various textures, scents, and visuals can provide comfort and engagement.
  • Hand Massage: Gentle hand massages can offer relaxation and a sense of connection.

Organizations like Playlist for Life promote the use of personally meaningful music to help individuals with dementia. You can explore existing playlists or create your own to cater to the individual’s preferences.

Games Involving Colours

Games involving colours can be highly beneficial for individuals with dementia. Colour games are simple yet powerful tools to engage, stimulate, and comfort individuals with dementia

Matching colours or sorting objects by colour can help stimulate memory and cognitive recall while simple colour-based games encourage concentration and problem-solving skills. Also, repeated exposure to colours helps reinforce pattern recognition and visual processing.

On the other hand, bright colours can evoke emotions and create a sense of joy or nostalgia while activities like colouring books or painting allow individuals to express themselves, even in the later stages of dementia.

Activities like placing coloured pegs, arranging coloured blocks, or painting help strengthen fine motor skills for people with dementia. Playing games with others fosters social connections, reducing feelings of isolation and lastly identifying and naming colours can encourage verbal interaction, even in those with declining speech abilities.

Examples of Colour-Based Games for Dementia

Colour Matching Cards 

Painting or Colouring Books

Sorting Games 

Sensory Lights or Coloured Scarves 

Bingo with Coloured Cards 

By thoughtfully selecting activities and incorporating regular exercise, caregivers can significantly enhance the well-being of those living with dementia, providing them with purpose, pleasure, and improved quality of life.

How can Homecare Gurus help?

At Homecare Gurus, we understand the unique challenges that dementia presents and our compassionate carers are here to provide bespoke dementia care.

If you or someone you know is affected by dementia, we are here to help. Contact Homecare Gurus for more information about our dementia care services and how we can support you.

Phone: +44 1494 211729
Emailsolutions@homecaregurus.co.uk