How Socialization in Memory Care Enhances Quality of Life
Did you know that, according to the Mayo Clinic, socializing can sharpen a person's memory? For residents in memory care communities, this is of the utmost importance. Even better, socializing can lead to an overall sense of happiness, increasing a person's quality of life.
Residents who require memory care benefit from socializing with peers. They also benefit from socializing with caregivers as the emotional support is an added bonus. There are plenty of activities for memory care, so choosing the best ones comes down to the residents and their interests.
But how does socializing specifically enhance a person's quality of life in memory care? What are some types of activities they can enjoy? This article walks you through the ins and outs of the benefits of senior socialization in memory care.
Emotional Support
According to the Alzheimer's Association, it's reported that 40% of people living with the disease experience notable depression.
Improving senior quality of life in memory care communities can be as simple as creating meaningful bonds. These supportive relationships can be with family members, friends, other residents, caregivers, and more. So long as residents feel appreciated and their unique needs are understood, the sky's the limit with forming friendships.
When seniors are socialized with other residents in assisted living, they may have happy memories triggered. When these memories are evoked, they might feel a myriad of positive emotions.
Information from the Mayo Clinic explains that positive thinking may reduce stress, so encouraging seniors in memory care communities to recall happy events can play a positive role in their emotional well-being.
But what are the best ways to socialize with older adults? For example, memory care activities help seniors to:
- Participate in group activities, including games and fitness programs
- Enjoy group cooking classes tailored to dietary needs and restrictions
- Take local trips into town, get fresh air, and engage with other residents during the trip.
When memory care residents take part in fun activities that stimulate positive memories, their quality of life is naturally improved.
When seniors do things like cook and bake together, they're forming bonds with one another. These simple yet effective activities can even expand to family-style dinners where memory care residents eat together and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
This is also a wonderful time to practice gratitude, focusing on each resident's day and something special they did. Cooking also promotes a sense of independence for residents, helping them to retain their sense of self while doing something they love.
Cognitive Support
When older adults are afforded the opportunity to socialize with other residents in assisted living communities, they're receiving cognitive stimulation. In fact, cognitive stimulation can work to slow down the progression of cognitive decline.
Some ways residents in assisted living communities can engage in cognitive stimulation include revitalizing conversations. This might be with other residents or even caregivers. Older adults in memory care may also benefit from trivia games with other residents, sharpening their skills while enjoying the company and companionship of others.
Other cognitive games older adults can enjoy as a group include:
- Puzzles
- Bingo
- Card games
- Scrabble
- Chess
- Word games
- Board games
Find games that everyone enjoys or take turns selecting which game to play, adding to memory care socialization benefits.
Decreased Anxiety
As many as 20% of older seniors may be living with anxiety (National Council on Aging). Seniors may feel isolated, especially if they don't get to visit with family and friends too often. But memory care and assisted living communities provide plenty of opportunities for seniors to connect with others and the world around them.
These communities are filled with qualified, compassionate staff members eager to spend time with residents, learning about their lives and interests. Aside from socializing with caregivers, seniors in memory care can form friendships with other people their age, bonding over common interests while decreasing any age-related anxiety.
Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle
There are plenty of physical benefits of socializing. For example, they might partake in physical activities such as light exercise, including walking.
Not only does exercise work to prevent chronic diseases in older adults (CDC), but it can be mentally stimulating as well. When seniors exercise together, they can socialize and enjoy each other's company while encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.
Elderly adults may consider partaking in:
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Aerobics
- Cycling
- Walking
- Swimming
- Pilates
- Aqua aerobics
- Cycling
All these activities can be tailored to a person's specific physical needs, but engaging in any of these types of exercise promotes opportunities to socialize. Even better, residents may benefit from better sleep, an improved mood, and even better blood circulation.
Seniors Can Engage in Interests and Hobbies
When an elderly person in memory care engages in activities and hobbies that interest them, it can renew and restore their sense of self. Work with residents to select activities that bring them joy and encourage them to work with others.
If there is a book club, for example, look for titles that spark joy in residents. Older adults in memory care communities can also enjoy knitting and crocheting, as they're both relaxing and may be able to delay memory loss related to age.
Senior social health also includes:
- Gardening clubs
- Dance classes
- Birdwatching with others
- Group photography
- Writing classes
Any activities that allow seniors to work together are ideal for socializing and helping to boost morale among residents.
Activities for Memory Care
Older adults benefit from activities for memory care, especially socializing. There are countless ways to socialize in an assisted living community, from local outings into town and group games. The elderly also benefit from exercise, as this is an opportunity to socialize while improving their overall health and endurance.
If you have more questions about memory care or how it can benefit you or a loved one, Addington Place of Lee's Summit can help. Our dedicated staff is here to answer any questions you might have. Contact us today and one of our team members will be in touch to discuss all your assisted living needs.