Supplies:
5 glasses, 5 food colors, Water, Sugar, Tablespoon
Mix 5 tablespoons of water, 2-3 drops of food coloring and a range of 1-5 tablespoons (respectively) to each of the 5 glasses.
Caregiver's Digest
Stop and Smell the Flowers
The Appropriate Approach Alzheimer’s Activities
The Alzheimer's Association reports that someone with Alzheimer's or related dementias does not have to give up participating in activities they enjoy. Inactivity and isolation can advance cognitive decline. Keeping someone engaged helps keep them at their highest functioning level.
Allow your loved one to do as much as they can and provide them with a sense of purpose. You can add a little fun to your days this Spring with a variety of stimulating activities. Be sure to remember the three S's when planning an activity for your loved one:
• Simple - Keep activities simple by taking it one step at time and providing single-step directions.
• Safe - Ensure proper supervision, settings, and materials are considered to maintain safety.
• Scheduled - Schedule the time of day best suited to the person's most active time period to allow for best engagement.
Following these steps for activities will provide an enjoyable and engaging experience.
To help caregivers find the right activity and to help control the environment, the Alzheimer's Association has put this list of engaging activities and ways to keep your loved one safe. Click on the link below to learn more.
Put Some Spring in Your Step!
Hop to it! Jump in with both feet! However you do it, get moving in March. For caregivers as well as those with dementia, staying active is important for good health.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Music - Put on their favorite music and reminisce. Snap your fingers, tap your toes, and remember the good times.
Invite the Grandchildren - Have the grandchildren visit and plan a fun activity or outing. Enjoying a Spring day through a child's eyes is uplifting.
Celebrate Spring Holidays- Involve your loved one in decorating your home. Create four-leaf clovers or dye Easter eggs. Share stories about traditions or make up new ones.
Baking - Bake and decorate your favorite treats...together. Remember to keep instructions simple and celebrate creativity.
Pets - Pet visits can be therapeutic. Don't have a pet? Make a visit to a local dog park and watch the furry friends frolic.
Creative Activity - Creating a festive centerpiece together is a great way to exercise creativity and dexterity, plus the finished décor can add fun to your home!
Local Alzheimer’s organizations are great resources for social activities and outings centered around music, exercise, and art. These social outlets are fun ways to connect with others on the same journey. Check their activities here:
Alzheimer’s San Diego Social Activities and Outings Calendar
Alzheimer’s Orange County Social Group
Spring Cleaning and Safety
It’s Spring…time to clean. It’s not easy for anyone to get rid of their stuff but it’s much worse for older adults. While it’s always difficult to purge, decluttering is especially important for senior safety. Decluttering enables you to move about your home with peace of mind.
Now is a great time to address safety concerns around the home:
• Trip hazards (pets, throw rugs, narrow walkways and physical obstacles)
• Poor lighting
• Unstable furniture
• Cords and wires
• Unclean kitchen and bathroom surfaces
When decluttering, set up a space for the items you’re getting rid of in three sections:
• Sell: Contact your local consignment store to sell items of value; Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are great online alternatives.
• Junk: Throw out everything in your junk pile, don’t second-guess it. It may be worthwhile to hire a professional junk removal service.
• Donate: Less valuable objects make great donations.
- Find local charities online (such as Amvets and Habitat for Humanity) that will pick up your items to save time.
"Buy Nothing" Facebook Groups also work to create a gift economy in communities to help people live sustainably.
If you’d like to learn more about decluttering and senior safety, take a look at this Home Safety Checklist for Seniors from U.S. News
March Mad-Science
Try these fun activities with your loved one!
Rainbow in a Glass
Homemade Lava Lamp
Supplies: Clear plastic bottle with cap, Vegetable oil, Water, Food coloring (and glitter for fun), Alka-Seltzer tablet. Funnel.
Share Your Thoughts
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About ActivCare
At ActivCare, we believe in enhancing life for our residents through engaging activity programs and compassionate care. Whether in the early or late stages of memory loss, ActivCare’s purpose-built communities, specialized activity programs, experienced staff, and compassionate care offer a residential lifestyle for affected individuals and peace of mind for their families.
There are seven ActivCare communities throughout Southern California, including locations in Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Long Beach, Orange, Pacific Beach, San Diego, and Yorba Linda. For more information about ActivCare Living and its communities, please contact (888) 636-5677 or visit activcareliving.com.
