In my job as a Realtor along the Denver Front Range - one who often specializes in working with senior clients or their caregiver families - I often get the honor of helping seniors with diminished memory. I see the heartache that family members experience as they struggle to deal with a parent who seems to be slowly slipping away.
But those same family members often share with me the ways that they cope and also work to motivate their parents to stay in the present. I thought I'd share with you some of their advice. - Jim
Utilizing the 5 Senses is one of the best ways to help seniors with dementia or Alzheimers enjoy activities that used to be a fun or important part of their lives.
The smells and activity of cooking or baking can bring back memories and inspire a senior. Offer them (and yourself) the Gift of Taste.
*Try encouraging them to help you bake cookies. They may not remember how, but drop some cookie dough in front of them and a senior citizen in the Denver area may just find themselves excited to spread the dough out and spoon it up. Hands often remember better than the mind.
*Sample different flavors of tea
*Sample holiday treats that can bring back warm memories, like candy canes, jelly beans, pumpkin pie, and the like.
Sound
*Very few things evoke memories like music. It's a powerful thing. Spend some time with your loved one and their favorite music. Again, holidays and special occasions typically stand out, so sing some holiday carols to them, along with Happy Birthday (insert the names of family members), Here Comes Peter Cottontail, etc.
*Grab a CD with some of their favorite music or tunes from the era in which they grew up. You can also take them to as many local concerts and performances as possible, be it a park concert in Aurora, a big show in Denver, or a school concert in Evergreen.
Again, whatever the music, it's a powerful tool that magically enlivens the mind.
Smell
Once again, the proper smells can bring life to the eyes of your Mom or Dad with dementia or Alzheimers. Stimulate their senses with the lavender sachets you know they love, or orange peels slowly simmering in a pot on the stove. As I mentioned before, holiday smells are powerful and bring back memories of their family members and special moments, so burn candles with holiday smells like peppermint, pumpkin pie, or other holiday spices.
These are just a few, simple things that have worked for other family caregivers along the Denver Front Range. If I may assist your family in the sale of a home, or advise or refer you to other senior-focused professionals that may be of help to you, please feel free to contact me at any time.
But those same family members often share with me the ways that they cope and also work to motivate their parents to stay in the present. I thought I'd share with you some of their advice. - Jim
Utilizing the 5 Senses is one of the best ways to help seniors with dementia or Alzheimers enjoy activities that used to be a fun or important part of their lives.
The smells and activity of cooking or baking can bring back memories and inspire a senior. Offer them (and yourself) the Gift of Taste.
*Try encouraging them to help you bake cookies. They may not remember how, but drop some cookie dough in front of them and a senior citizen in the Denver area may just find themselves excited to spread the dough out and spoon it up. Hands often remember better than the mind.
*Sample different flavors of tea
*Sample holiday treats that can bring back warm memories, like candy canes, jelly beans, pumpkin pie, and the like.
Sound
*Very few things evoke memories like music. It's a powerful thing. Spend some time with your loved one and their favorite music. Again, holidays and special occasions typically stand out, so sing some holiday carols to them, along with Happy Birthday (insert the names of family members), Here Comes Peter Cottontail, etc.
*Grab a CD with some of their favorite music or tunes from the era in which they grew up. You can also take them to as many local concerts and performances as possible, be it a park concert in Aurora, a big show in Denver, or a school concert in Evergreen.
Again, whatever the music, it's a powerful tool that magically enlivens the mind.
Smell
Once again, the proper smells can bring life to the eyes of your Mom or Dad with dementia or Alzheimers. Stimulate their senses with the lavender sachets you know they love, or orange peels slowly simmering in a pot on the stove. As I mentioned before, holiday smells are powerful and bring back memories of their family members and special moments, so burn candles with holiday smells like peppermint, pumpkin pie, or other holiday spices.
These are just a few, simple things that have worked for other family caregivers along the Denver Front Range. If I may assist your family in the sale of a home, or advise or refer you to other senior-focused professionals that may be of help to you, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Aurora, Colorado Home for Sale: Villas at Cherry Creek 5031 S Auckland Court, Aurora, CO, 80015-3911
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