Activities for Alzheimer Sufferers

Alzheimer's disease is a diagnosis that many dread - and with good reason.  Alzheimers is one of the most debilitating diseases, progressively involving all systems of the body and mind. 

Alzheimers is a form of Dementia, a disorder affecting mental processes, which advances in recognizable stages with spreading effects. 

Dementia is characterized by progressive loss of memory typically leading to loss of attention, difficulty in concentration on tasks, communication and language difficulties; and changes in behavior.

For example, Alzheimer sufferers may initially find themselves at a loss for words or unable to remember some very recent fact or incident.  Over time, as the disease progresses, they may forget more important "permanent" information like their address, age or even their own name.

Patients in later stages of Alzheimers may lose basic skills like use of eating utensils, washing and dressing.  Some may cease to speak altogether because they have forgotten vocabulary or how to form coherent sentences.

Behavior  suffers adverse changes - provoked by frustration at inability to perform simple tasks previously performed with ease.

Patients suffering the later stages of Alzheimer become dependent on carers, increasingly reverting to the role of children.

Alzheimers is incurable presently - although medication can slow disease development - especially if commenced early.

Certain activities also seem to slow progression.  You can think of the brain as a muscle which stays healthy and performs better with regular exercise.  So make a point of using your brain actively.

Read

Surveys show regular readers as less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimers.   Something as simple as reading the newspaper daily and staying informed with the latest news is already something that can resist onset of dementia.

Read analytically and raise questions rather than just passively absorbing the text and then forgetting it.  Active reading and allowing your imagination free scope is good brain exercise.

Puzzle

Solve puzzles like word hunts, crosswords and Sudoku.  The more you use your brain, the better your prognosis.

Word games are especially useful in retaining and increasing vocabulary, thus defending against loss of communication skills.

Learn

Learning exercises the brain.  Attend classes - age does not imply that you cannot learn.  People with Alzheimers should make a point to always be learning something new.

Creative activities such as arts and crafts are also useful ways to employ mental resources without tiring them.

Learning new facts and skills can motivate Alzheimer patients with a sense of purpose which they may otherwise lose following diagnosis with the disease.