Dementia Friendly Activities For The Summer

Dementia is a long term health condition which affects a number of cognitive functions including memory loss and speech. With highly skilled care and attention, those living with dementia can continue to live their lives as normal as they can to the fullest whilst participating in activities. When looking for care homes in Ayr, it’s important to look into a well equipped home, that provides its residents with a range of opportunities to assist them in maintaining their sense of belonging and independence.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is essentially a variety of symptoms in which over time affects an individuals problem solving, language, memory and behaviour. Dementia is a highly progressive condition, meaning that usually symptoms present themselves mildly at first and then worsen over time. Dementia is presented when a disease damages a nerve cell in the brain and depending on the disease that causes the damage, will determine what type of dementia an individual has.

What are the Different Types of Dementia?

There are multiple types of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease being one of the most common. With Alzheimer’s for most people, the first signs are problems with their memory, language, thinking or perception. Another form of dementia is known as Vascular Dementia which is the second most common type. The early signs of Vascular Dementia include problems with planning or organising, problem solving and making decisions. Another form is called Lewy Body Dementia, in which is caused by Lewy Body Disease and symptoms of DLB include having difficulty staying focused, problems with movement and sleep as well as experiencing delusions. Frontotemporal Dementia includes symptoms such as personality and behaviour difficulties as well as with their language. Finally, Mixed Dementia, which is when they have symptoms of more than one type.

How is Dementia Supported in a Care Home?

If you’re looking for a luxury dementia care home in Ayr, you need to look into how the home has been decorated and designed for older adults with dementia. For example, friendly decor, using large clocks, clear signages and colour coding around the homes. This can make a huge difference to the quality, from background noise to the colour scheme, down to the cutlery used during meal times. There is so much that can be done to help residents feel comfortable, relaxed and happy.

Although every resident living with dementia will require different levels of care and support depending on their progression level, most care homes encourage residents to live as independently as possible and therefore pay attention to the little things within the home, which benefit those who get easily stressed or distracted within their environment.

Activities for Dementia Residents

There are a wide selection of activities for dementia residents which can take place in, outside and around a care home.

Summer Activities for Dementia Residents

• Outdoor activities such as gardening; some gentle weeding of the garden or growing herbs and flowers in window boxes outside on a warm, sunny day will improve moods with extra vitamin D, reduce blood pressure, raise serotonin and support bone health.
• Writing, reading, crosswords, puzzles and board games can be taken to various safe locations, even outside in the garden on a nice day. Reading out to a group of people with dementia has been found to stimulate imagination and memories, whilst games and puzzles can help keep minds sharper for longer.
• Create bird feeders, they not only encourage bird watching, which is great for those living with dementia due to it not being over stimulating, but it can be done from inside or outside your home.
• Visit a local park and/or go for local walks to get some fresh air.
• Take part in dementia friendly community groups.
• Summer crafts sessions such as painting, colouring, drawing and flower arranging to name a few - all of which can be taking outside on a nice day.

Year-Round Activities for Dementia Residents

Take into consideration that a lot of the below can be carried out in an outdoor environment…

• Cooking: With a few simple, small changes, following recipes with less steps and/or ingredients, using prepared ingredients and carrying out the activity with support.
• Household Tasks: Such as those that require residents to be active are a great form of gentle exercise, such as washing up, folding clothes and dusting are some good examples - the main goal is just to ensure the resident is happy and content, engaged within the task, allowing them to feel as if they’re contributing to the household.
• Indoor Gardening: This type of physical activity, cognitive function and social interaction will help someone with dementia stay stimulated, feeling valued and helpful.
• Painting: Studies have shown that painting is ideal for the improvement of cognitive development.
• Playing an Instrument: Music and singing is very powerful, especially when it comes to reliving memories, music is also used as a form of therapy which is ideal for dementia residents.
• Memory Boxes: These boxes can help those with dementia feel more connected to their past, career and previous hobbies.
• Knitting: A neuropsychiatry study has shown that those who take part in knitting could reduce their chance of developing mild cognitive impairment by 30-50% for seniors.
• Food Reminiscence Activities: This involves discussing events and experiences from the past, aiming to evoke memories, stimulating mental activity and overall improving an individual’s wellbeing.

The Benefits of Luxury Dementia Care Homes

• Higher levels of care provided
• More suited to those living with immobility, long term medial conditions or disabilities
• Staffed with Registered General Nurses
• Supported by GPs, pharmacists and special medial teams to make sure all standards of care are met
• Continuum of care
• Safe, clean and hygienic environment
• Nursing equipment such as special beds, hoists and nurse call systems
• A healthy and active lifestyle is met along with nutritious home cooked meals
• Promoting independent living with support and care where required
• Autonomous, having the freedom to choose entertainment, activities, food, bedtime and so much more.

Dementia Care in Ayr with Templeton House Care Home

We take immense pride in providing personalised dementia care here at Templeton House Care Home, making sure each residents needs are met with compassion and attention. We have a dementia team who have undergone professional training, equipping them to be able to address all aspects of dementia and the different stages. We are deeply committed to fostering continuous learning and development, enabling us to deliver outstanding dementia care to our residents.

Our dedicated and compassionate team always go the extra mile, working close with residents and their family members to identify activities and therapies which cater to their specific requirements. We also have two designated dementia champions within our home who have completed training and are currently taking a course to further their expertise.

Our Approach to Dementia Care

Our main goal is to ensure all of our residents living with dementia live the greatest quality of life, benefiting from living with like minded individuals, without having to worry about running a household. Within our home, residents have enhanced their self confidence and independence as well as having an improved mental health, overall health and social life. If you have any questions further to dementia care in Ayr or any further information on our care home please don’t hesitate to get in touch.