Autumn, or fall, is a vibrant time in the Lehigh Valley. Fall weather patterns and an abundance of trees create a silent explosion of colors that is inescapable. This is also a good time to engage in stimulating and therapeutic activities with your loved ones who have dementia.
Simple activities can become meaningful interactions that can bring joy to people living with cognitive impairments. The sights and sounds of autumn can both evoke and create memories and foster connections with friends and family members.
Perhaps you take for granted the crunch of dry leaves under your feet as you walk down the sidewalk. If possible, take a leisurely nature walk through a park with your loved one and let the simple crunch stimulate the senses. Being outside and away from too many voices and noises can help foster a sense of calm and relaxation and improve a person’s mood. The sights, scents, and sensations of nature can help with memory recall, and simple objects like gloves and sweaters may remind your loved ones of pleasant—even childhood—times.
Before leaving the leaves behind, identifying and pressing a particularly interesting leaf is a good mental and physical exercise. It can be kept by your loved one as a souvenir.
Are your loved one’s hands flexible or in control enough to hold a brush or modeling clay or dough? Paint a pumpkin, sculpt a statue, or press a handprint!
Part of the joy of holiday cooking is the special scents of spices, the comfort of cocoa, and the tastes of teas! Cooking autumn treats together or surprising the homebound patient with a special package of edible love can trigger pleasant memories and stimulate the senses. Time in the kitchen fosters social interaction and a feeling of accomplishment when duties are shared when possible. Just a thoughtful visit with favorite treats and guided conversation makes for a happy holiday season!
Music therapy garners an almost universal reaction in people of every language and cognitive ability. There are songs and symphonies written to bring the soul of the season into the soul of the listener. Simple is sweet and may elicit a faltering yet heartfelt song from the lips of the listener!
Autumn doesn’t have to just be about raking leaves—it can be about racking up joy in the heart of a loved one with dementia. Don’t miss out on opportunities to support, engage, and value those with dementia this fall season!
South Mountain Memory Care is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their life—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing new initiatives into their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand because we care, too.