Easy Crafts For Seniors With Dementia
Written by Brian B

5 Easy Crafts For Seniors With Dementia

Easy Crafts For Seniors With Dementia

Below are 5 of the best craft ideas for seniors suffering from dementia!

Best Crafts For Seniors With Dementia

When you are looking for ideas for the best crafts for someone suffering from dementia, try to pick some activities that do not have a right or wrong way of accomplishing the task. Use these crafts to both encourage and engage with the senior. These fun activities listed below have been proven to reduce depression and agitation. Remember safety always comes first, so eliminate any potential dangers or risks ahead of time. Check out some of the best craft ideas below.

1. Make A Scrapbook

Making a scrapbook requires more supplies than any other activity on this list. For this craft you will need catalogs, magazines, newspapers, a notebook and scissors. Have your loved one look through the literature and cut out any pictures, words or letters that they’d like. Piece all of this together and enjoy the fun project!

Supplies Needed:

  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Magazines, newspapers and/or catalogs

2. Homemade Play Dough

Every age group can still have fun with play dough! Let your loved one’s creativity and youthful energy take over as they start this craft. Make sure you have a few cookie cutters on hand to make this project easier. You can store the play dough anywhere except in the refrigerator. Stay away from any toxic play dough mixes. Adding a few drops of essential oils can make this craft even more relaxing.

Supplies Needed:

  • Play dough
  • Essential oils
  • Cookie cutters

3. Magnetic Letters

See what words the senior can create when you spread magnetic letters across a baking sheet. This is a terrific craft designed for mental stimulation. One other way of doing this craft is by having the senior organize the letters in some way, perhaps by shape or color.

Supplies Needed:

  • Magnetic letters
  • Baking sheet

Magnetic Letters

4. Flower Arrangements

For seniors who previously enjoyed planting and gardening in their own backyards, this is a great activity. Arranging flowers can take them back to a more pleasant time while allowing for some creativity, all at once. Loved ones typically enjoy participating in this task, as well.

Supplies Needed:

  • Artificial flowers
  • Florist foam
  • Plastic vase

5. Pipes And Fittings

As homeowners, a lot of these current dementia patients did plenty of handywork around the house. This type of task can do wonders for one’s morale and self-esteem. It’s wise to design crafts to spark memories and bring a sense of purpose to a senior’s life. All you must do here is gather some fittings and PVC piping.

Supplies Needed:

  • Fittings
  • PVC piping
  • Elbows and T-joints

MeasurAbilities, LLC

Thinking about adding safety grab bars, a raised toilet seat or other modifications to prevent falls in your home? Our physical and occupational therapists provide free home safety screenings, and will make clinically guided fall prevention recommendations, as well as create a customized plan to fit your individual needs. We follow up with clinically guided installation of all of our fall prevention home safety products.

Our clinically guided solutions will ensure you and your loved ones can navigate your home environment safely and with confidence. Visit our Home Safety Solutions page to learn about the products and services we provide and install (we are licensed, bonded and insured), to help you prevent falls in your home.

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7 Stages Of Lewy Body Dementia
Written by Brian B

7 Stages Of Lewy Body Dementia

7 Stages Of Lewy Body Dementia

Often confused for schizophrenia or Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is one of the most common forms of dementia. LBD can either develop slowly or quickly over time when combined with other brain disorders, according to nia.nih.gov. On average, LBD symptoms are present for a long time before changes become noticeable. While the lifespan associated with those suffering from LBD is 5-8 years, recent studies have shown it is possible to live anywhere from 2-20 years after diagnosis.

Stages Of Lewy Body Dementia

Typically, LBD is categorized by three stages: early, middle and late. The beginning of LBD can include some mild hallucinations or delusions. Individuals suffering from the first stages may act out some dreams while sleeping. Slight movement difficulties have also been linked to the start of LBD.

Memory should remain intact during the early stages, but moments of confusion are still possible. Slight cognitive changes may be observed at this point.

Stage 1. No Noticeable Changes

The first stage of LBD usually goes unnoticed by friends and family. LBD will have no impact on an individual’s life during stage one.

Symptoms:

  • No symptoms present.

Stage 2. Mild Changes

Just like the previous stage, this point of LBD will yield very little signs that a disease is present. Memory issues may be easily passed off as a normal sign of aging.

Symptoms:

  • Some difficulty finding the right words.
  • Still possess ability to overcome memory issues.
  • Normal functioning in and around the home.

Stage 3. Noticeable Changes

The third stage of LBD is where most of the changes can be noticed. Loved ones should be able to see alterations in the individual’s thinking, reasoning and actions. Memory issues will become more troublesome at this point.

Symptoms:

  • Moments of forgetfulness.
  • Trouble recalling certain words and names.
  • Trouble paying attention.
  • Money management issues.

Stage 4. Mild Dementia

Despite the mild dementia, anyone going through this stage of LBD should still be able to recall friends, family and significant past events.

Symptoms:

  • Trouble with motor skills.
  • Forgetting some names and items.
  • Daily routine issues.
  • Forgetting where items had been placed.

Stage 5. Moderate To Severe Dementia

Individuals at this point should still remember family members, but they will likely have increased trouble recalling past events. Anyone suffering from LBD will need help performing daily tasks during stage five.

Symptoms:

  • Personality changes.
  • Mood swings.
  • Bladder issues.
  • Increased problems with memory.
  • Repetitive thoughts and questions.

Stage 6. Severe Mental Decline

Memories will quickly fade during this stage of LBD. It’s strongly recommended to invest in round-the-clock at-home care during this stage.

Symptoms:

  • Unusual eating habits.
  • Getting lost and confused.
  • Trouble speaking.
  • Delusions.
  • Strong mood swings.
  • Lack of awareness.

Stage 7. Final Stage

At this time, individuals will no longer be able to recognize loved ones. 24-hour care is now a necessity.

Symptoms:

  • Loss of ability to speak, eat and swallow.
  • Constant disorientation.
  • Loss of bladder/bowel control.
  • Bed ridden.

MeasurAbilities, LLC

Thinking about adding safety grab bars, a raised toilet seat or other modifications to prevent falls in your home? Our physical and occupational therapists provide free home safety screenings, and will make clinically guided fall prevention recommendations, as well as create a customized plan to fit your individual needs. We follow up with clinically guided installation of all of our fall prevention home safety products.

Our clinically guided solutions will ensure you and your loved ones can navigate your home environment safely and with confidence. Visit our Home Safety Solutions page to learn about the products and services we provide and install (we are licensed, bonded and insured), to help you prevent falls in your home.

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Questions For Assisted Living Interviews
Written by webtechs

Questions For Assisted Living Interviews

Questions For Assisted Living Interviews

If you are searching for “questions for assisted living interviews“, our checklist will help!

Questions To Ask Assisted Living

The choices may seem limitless when it comes to assisted living options. The three things that should be top of mind are care, community and cost. Use our list of questions below if you are planning an assisted living interview for your loved one(s).

1. Questions About Care

The first questions that come up should all be about care in the community. You need to find a community that has a level of care that meets your loved one’s specific needs. Here are a few questions to ask during the interview:

  • What are all the services included in the monthly agreement?
  • Are services available a la carte?
  • How many staff members do you have compared to the amount of residents?
  • Can a resident transition if comprehensive care options are needed?
  • How do your care services compare to other communities in the same area?

2. Questions About The Community

You need to make sure your loved one will feel comfortable and safe in their new community setting. Most communities should feature a variety of activities, exercise facilities and transportation services. Ponder these few questions regarding the community:

  • What are the most common activities for the residents?
  • How are the activities chosen?
  • What is the usual level of participation for the activities?
  • Are there flexible menu options for residents with various dietary needs/restrictions?
  • What is the social experience like around the community?

3. Questions About Costs And Administration

Obviously, you’ll want to know exactly what you are paying for each month. Here are a few examples of what to ask regarding costs and administration:

  • What is included in the monthly fee(s)?
  • Would there be a circumstance where costs are increased?
  • What are the current emergency handling procedures? 

More Assisted Living Interview Questions:

Assisted Living Questionnaire 

Interview Questions

Assisted Living Questions

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