Flower Arranging And Elder Care
Its the perfect season for breaking out the vases and the flower frogs and doing a little flower arranging. This spring craft project can be as complex or as simple as the senior loved one whom you are tailoring it to.
Seniors who still enjoy getting outside or working in the garden can select their own flowers to work with at a local shop or florist, or even grow and/or cut their own flowers for arrangements. Seniors needing a little more assistance can have flowers cut for them and work with arranging them for display on their own or with help.
Easy Crafts For Seniors With Dementia That You Can Make At Home
1. Clip colorful clothespinsGet brightly colored full size or mini clothespins and let your older adult attach them to something like a wire basket or rack.
2. Arrange flowersFlower arranging is a perfect activity for older adults who enjoy flowers or gardening.
Get some inexpensive artificial flowers, a plastic vase, and florist foam . Your older adult can have fun creating their own arrangements.
3. Attach pipes and fittingsMany older adults used to enjoy being handy around the house. Remind them of those pleasant memories with an activity where they can put together and take apart pipes.
Get varying lengths of inexpensive PVC pipe and fittings like these elbows or these T-joints the hardware store will usually be able to cut them for you.
4. Sort inexpensive hardware parts or coinsAnother way to enjoy handy activities is to have your older adult sort inexpensive hardware parts like these nuts, washers, or bolts.
Some older adults might also enjoy sorting a big pile of coins as a reminder of when they used to manage household finances.
5. Play with homemade play doughMaking shapes and kneading play dough or modeling clay is a fun and relaxing activity for all ages.
Get some fun cookie cutters and play dough and watch your older adult have a ball.
Instead of store-bought play dough, try this homemade play dough recipe. To make it even more relaxing, add a few drops of calming lavender essential oil.
Crafting As A Purposeful Pitstop
Hands-on guidance and attention are exactly what informs Vineyard Blufftons unique residential memory care programs. In fact, our social spaces feature specific nooks. These areas were intentionally built into our building to encourage residents to join in planned activities, rather than wandering aimlessly, a common dementia trait. The Alzheimers Association explains that wandering manifests as the behavioral expression of a basic human need for social contact or a response to environmental, irritants, physical discomforts, or psychological distress.
Instead of restraining the impulse to wander, its actually more useful to support a residents movement, indicates the Alzheimers Association, and point them to a conscious, secure, and mindful direction. This is why we created what we call purposeful pitstops to allow residents the freedom, mobility, and expression to wander safely in designated areas with strategically placed activity stations. When a staff member notices that a resident takes an interest in one of these activities, they come over to assist. These interactions not only provide instruction but reinforce the social connection that many of those with dementia need.
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Keep A Beat With Homemade Shaker
This last activity has been proven to be very beneficial for seniors with memory issues. Keeping a beat will sharpen focus. The suggested way to keep a beat consistently is by using a homemade shaker. Our suggestion is to fill a plastic container with either dry beans or pasta.
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Leaf Print Craft For Seniors Living With Dementia These Easy
Looking for an easy craft activity for your senior living with dementia? Give leaf prints a try! We used simple quotes as the center giving us an adult looking piece of art as the finished product. My mom objects to anything that looks juvenile, and these passed her test. #caregiverwin
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The supplies for this dementia activity are simple. Heres what you need.
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Step 1 Choose Your Quote And Print It Out
Choose a quote or several. Type the quotes in the word processor of your choice.
I put rectangles around the ones I created to give a hard stop for the leaf prints and then cut a cover rectangle the same size to put on top of the quote during printing to keep the paint out of the quote area. We stuck the cover rectangle down with a couple of tiny pieces of double-sided tape.
Making A Knotted Fleece Blanket
Knotted fleece blankets are great to make and to give out as gifts for the winter holidays. They dont require any sewing at all.
You just need fleece cloth and a pair of scissors to make something that can be quite useful during the cold season.
Check out this video here for the instructions on how to make a warm knotted fleece blanket.
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Benefits Of Arts And Crafts For Alzheimers
The benefits of art therapy have long been known in the research community, but it is slowly gaining traction as a legitimate therapy method amongst professional caregivers. Results are still debated amongst top researchers, but not necessarily regarding the overall efficacy of art therapy for dementia patients.
While researchers generally agree that art therapy shows positive results, they are still trying to figure out the most beneficial art therapy activities, and how often they should be utilized for maximum results. Having said that, the following are some of the primary benefits of art therapy activities for Alzheimerâs patients on which most researchers agree.
Less Stress: Arts and crafts can lead to increased concentration, heightened self-esteem, and inspire positive feelings. Art has been shown to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, no matter a personâs skill level. The very simple act of creating art is enough to reduce stress.
More Socializing: Withdrawal from social activity and society at large is a noticed behavioral change in people suffering from dementia. Music and art therapy allow them to re-connect and socialize with the people around them.
Stimulated Senses: There is an observed progressive in dementia patients. When those patients are engaged in art and craft activities, their senses are stimulated by colors, textures, and sound.
Picking Appropriate Activities For Your Loved One With Dementia
The activities listed below span a large range of functioning levels, but you can use these ideas as a springboard and adapt them for your loved ones current ability level and interests.
I have a daughter with autism, and when she was in school I would meet with her teachers periodically to update her IEP . I feel like Im doing the same kind of thing for my mom now. I call it her IAP .
Just as everyone with autism is different in their abilities and functioning level, so it is with folks with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. We as caregivers are chasing a moving target when looking for appropriate activities for our loved ones. Their abilities and functioning levels are changing all the time. Sometimes from day to day. Im constantly adjusting activities for my moms current level of functioning. I find some days she can do complex activities that would be impossible and totally frustrating for her other days.
My mom is currently in the middle stages of Alzheimers, and I have to be careful the activities I plan for her dont look too juvenile.
She notices.
I can, however, get away with some kid activities if I have one of my children participate. She thinks shes babysitting. This is a double win as shes engaged and feels useful. Though I do have to keep a close eye on things when my kids participate. Mom is having more frequent episodes of,
ahem, just not being nice,
and I have to be ready to pull my kid away if things start going south.
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It’s Time To Get Creative
Crafts for seniors are a great way to stimulate elderly friends, relatives or care home residents. They have an amazing effect on both the body and the mind.
They also give care home residents a unique way to transform a space into their own. For more information on how to help someone settle into their new care home, check out our handy guide.
Easy Crafts For Seniors With Dementia
Does your elderly parent or older adult have dementia? If so, the time you spend together may be getting more difficult to bear as their memory lapses. The next time you are with them, why not try some arts and crafts? They can be highly beneficial for dementia patients, as well as a fun way to stay connected with your loved one.
Try the following easy crafts for seniors with dementia:
- Scrapbooking
- Creating a pine cone bird feeder
- Painting rocks
In this guide, were presenting our easiest craft ideas and recommendations, plus detailed step-by-step instructions and video tutorials for these dementia-safe creative activities.
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Step 4 Color Or Paint The Leaves And Print
We initially tried using markers to color the leaves but found the markers tough to use . The leaves wanted to tear, and Mom had to color really fast to keep the markers from drying before she could make the print. If using markers, I would recommend really fat juicy ones that put out a lot of color quickly. The medium tip markers in the photos did not work well.
The paint, however, worked great. We used a wide paintbrush, and though it was a little messy, the results were very good.
Mom printed around the quotes with ease.
We let it dry for a couple of minutes and then removed the quote cover to reveal her artwork. She was thrilled!
My Mom, who is currently a pretty solid stage 5 Alzheimers, can create these leaf prints with only a little assistance. She even made a few as gifts.
Why Are Fun Activities So Good For Dementia Patients
Senior care isnt always easy, but taking care of your older loved one with dementia is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Getting into celebration mode and crafting provides respite from daily life and provides the perfect leisure activity for older adults with memory loss. Not only that, it helps them maintain a sense of self, familiarity and routine.
Helping your loved ones stay connected to their unique identity is the best way to bring out the joy in their hearts. By finding a therapeutic activity thats meaningful and brings back memories, you can help them stay connected.
Therapeutic activity is one that provides cognitive, emotional, and physical stimulation. Its a careful balance to strike when it comes to older adults with dementia. Anything too complicated or confusing and you risk triggering feelings of inadequacy. The following tips will help ensure your loved one engages with the activity and teach you about the important benefits of crafting for seniors with memory loss.
At the end of the article, theres advice on how to ensure your craft ideas are adapted for a person with dementias needs.
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Use Picture Cards For Sorting
This calls for two copies of each picture you think your senior would enjoy, they can be laminated with clear tape if you want. Then you will have your senior mix and match or sort them, giving them tons of entertainment.
However, they should be about the size of playing cards, so they can hold them in their hand.
Leaf Print Quote Craft Materials
- A fun quote printed on bright white cardstock compatible with your printer
- Paint or markers Markers work, but based on our experience, paint works a lot better. We used acrylic paints like these: acrylic paint
- Paintbrush We used wide Mod Podge brushes that made covering the leaves easy and fast: paintbrushes
- Paper plate or plastic bowl for paint
- Leaves Tough leaves work best
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A Few Precautions To Take When Crafting With Older Adults
Although Easter crafts are super-fun, there are precautions you should help to keep your loved one safe, including:
- Supervise them constantly if your family member with dementia is using anything sharp, toxic, or dangerous
- Keep language positive and light-hearted, avoiding criticism or overt direction to ensure the activity feels fun and not restrictive
- Avoid putting paints, glues, or stains into cups your loved one might drink from
- Try not to use tiny decorative items and opt for large, chunky Easter crafting supplies where possible
How Crafts For Dementia Patients Improve Quality Of Life
Diminished cognitive function is also a part of dementia. Although a dementia patientâs ability to reason continues to diminish with progression of the disease, âexercisingâ their brain can slow that process down. Not only are crafts beneficial to dementia patients, many experts say theyâre essential to their health and well-being. That isnât just a fact that comes from research, either. Itâs something that caregivers of dementia patients know from their years of experience.
Some ways that crafts help dementia patients include:
- Relaxation
- Increases a Sense of Playfulness and Humor
- Gives them a Sense of Control
- Aids in Socialization
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Caregivers: Try Creative Activities For Dementia Help
Caregivers at home can use creative activities for dementia help when they need ways to past the time and stay active. Remember, depending on the stage of dementia, you may want to consult a professional or talk to a memory care community about keeping your loved one engaged and healthy.
Vineyard offers many opportunities for residents to engage in craft projects and creative activities each week. From the Artists Corner to the Garden Club and just about everything in between, this approach to memory care ensures that residents with dementia are able to retain mental sharpness for as long as possible, which can lead to a higher quality of life overall.
Crafts For Seniors: 52 Fun And Simple Ideas That Inspire
Looking for an inventive and enjoyable way to spend your free time? Check out our extensive list of crafts for seniors. It encompasses a wide range of craft activities, from painting and knitting to woodworking and scrapbooking. Whatever your interests or skill level, there are dozens of ways to have fun while keeping your hands occupied and your creativity flourishing.
Did you know that crafting offers numerous benefits for older people? Being engaged in hands-on creative activities can improve motor skills, strengthen social connections, reduce stress, and alleviate anxiety. It can also be good for the brain. A research study in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences found that seniors who participated in crafts like pottery and knitting had a lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment. And in a Psychological Science study, seniors who learned how to quilt or do digital photography showed improved memory function. So making crafts may be a great way to keep your brain stimulated and enhance your cognitive abilities.
We’ve rounded up more than 50 of the best craft ideas for seniors and grouped them into straightforward categories to help you quickly find what you’re interested in:
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Activity : Make Paper Flowers
Paper flowers are gorgeous, and they never wilt or die. Making paper flowers also conveys a sense of purpose because you can create various cheerful decorations out of them once youre done.
If youre going to make some artificial flowers with your senior, crepe paper in bright colors is a great choice. It can rip, but it doesnt do so as easily as lighter types of paper can .
Here are the steps to follow to craft stunning, lifelike paper flowers.
Craft Ideas For Seniors With Limited Dexterity
Making art, and even just viewing art, can improve cognitive function for seniors. It helps the brain create new neural networks and adapt to new situations. So seniors with neurological illnesses that affect dexterity, including Parkinsons and Alzheimers, can benefit even more from creating arts and crafts.
At the same time, though, crafts can be difficult for seniors with limited dexterity. Its important to choose projects that dont cause frustration or highlight the persons limitations.
So if you want to help a senior with limited dexterity express themselves creatively and spend some time making arts and crafts, consider the ideas below.
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Sort Inexpensive Hardware Parts
Lastly, lets face it, not everyone enjoys making cute Easter crafts. If your family was more into DIY than crafting, provide your loved ones with an activity to cater to their needs. For example, they could attach pipes, unscrew and screw in items using a large screwdriver for kids or tie and untie knots.
Spring Crafts For Seniors With Dementia: Fresh Ideas For Connection And Wellbeing
My grandmothers favorite season was spring. When I was little, she would always tell me that spring was a time of inspiration, when the world seems to breathe new life, hope, and a little bit of magic into the world. As a kid, I truly felt that magic because my grandmother taught me to admire springs beautyfrom the bright blooming flowers to the newly hatched baby birds snuggled safely in their nests. As I got older, however, I lost sight of a lot of the simple things that make the season so special, perhaps because my grandmother no longer remembers to remind me.
In the past few years, however, Ive felt the need for a little more magic in my life, and I can tell my grandmother does too. Since she was diagnosed with dementia last year, Ive realized how important it is to remind her of the things she used to be passionate about. So this year, I decided that she and I would honor spring by doing some fun crafts together.
If you have an aging loved one who is living with dementia, doing crafts with them is a great way to help them engage their minds and express themselves creatively. So, in celebration of the season, Ive put together a few fun, simple, and beneficial spring crafts for seniors with dementia inspired by those I did with my grandmother.
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