Senior Memory Care Gifts and Celebrations That Improve Cognition
Senior memory care residents benefit from gifts and social engagements that help improve motor skills, provide memory stimulation and improve cognitive function. A special day with personalized gifts provides a positive impact on the social interaction of someone with dementia. Studies are ongoing, but senior memory care and nursing home facilities report positive findings!
Here are 5 of the best gifts that are perfect for senior memory care Alzheimer’s or dementia residents. These are ideas for seniors at all levels of cognitive ability – fun and engaging games, gifts that reduce anxiety and soothe agitation, along with various activities that can give seniors a sense of accomplishment.
Grandma and Grandpa’s Word Search Puzzles. These simple puzzles can help someone with cognitive impairment. Available on Amazon for around $6, they are an inexpensive gift that has a huge payoff. The large print is easy to read, with no confusing diagonal hidden words.
Melissa & Doug Primary Lacing Beads. This set of large wooden beads in different shapes and colors with over-sized holes are perfect for the senior who loves to sew. They are ideal therapy for hands that are not as functional as they once were, and done together in a small group encourages social engagement as well as improving cognition.
Petsies Stuffed Animals. When your family member in senior memory care becomes anxious or agitated, a calming, drug-free way to soothe them is to give them a realistic stuffed animal they can cuddle and interact with. This can give them a feeling of deep comfort and security as they nurture and care for the stuffed animal as it stimulates positive emotions.
Custom Blankets. A photo blanket or a weighted blanket, available at Walmart and elsewhere online, is ideal for senior memory care residents with dementia. Seniors can stay warm and cozy while looking at favorite family photos. Seniors with dementia need a good night’s sleep, and weighted blankets can help by promoting relaxation and increasing your loved one’s comfort. It feels like a warm hug and can help your loved one feel as though someone is there to comfort them.
Ipad. This innovative technological device has immeasurable benefits for someone with memory loss. Along with other smart devices, an Ipad helps keep people engaged and promotes feelings of independence. Residents in assisted living and senior memory care love iPads because they’re easy to use with the touch-pad technology and swipe of a finger. They don’t require a mouse or control device which can sometimes be difficult for some elders. This wonderful and fun tool allows family members everywhere to connect with their loved ones in senior memory care.
These are just a few of the types of gifts you can give a resident of senior memory care to enhance their quality of life. When you add a special celebration, whether it’s a birthday party, family gathering, Mother’s Day or Christmas, gift gifting and celebrating with the people close to them is usually a happy and meaningful event that senior memory care residents, families and caregivers can enjoy. To plan a party for your loved one, inform caregivers in advance who can help to create a comforting, safe environment. At Clover Care Home, we know it’s important to avoid over-stimulating our residents, so we can help you plan a fun celebration.
