Activities Alzheimer

Activities for people with Alzheimer

Alzheimer’s is one disease that people dread to be diagnosed with. Who can blame them?

It is one of the most debilitating diseases known to man and it affects not only one area or one system but all. Of course, since it is a progressive disease, effects on the various systems of the body does not happen at one time. With the progression of the disease, so the effects become more wide-ranging.

Alzheimer’s Disease is perhaps the most insidious disorder of the brain resulting in a progressive decline leading to eventual senility. It is characterised by a progressive loss of memory which may lead to inattention and an inability to focus properly on a task, speech and language problems and behavioural changes.

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease for instance may initially find themselves at a loss for words or unable to remember some bits of facts that happened the day before. But as the days progress, they will find themselves starting to forget important things like their address, their age and sometimes even their name or the names of their loved ones.

Patients who are in the later stages of Alzheimer’s will start to forget how to do routine things like brushing their teeth, taking a bath or using their utensils. Some may refuse to speak because they have forgotten the words that they should be using and this is embarrassing to them. This can lead to intense frustration at not being able to do those things they were once able to do. Often times, patients in the later stages will become totally dependant,acting like children who do not know what to do with themselves.

Although there are medicines that can slow down the progress of the disease, especially if discovered early on, there is no cure for the problem. Once alzheimer has inflicted the patient, it they are destined to be affected for life with no chance of a cure unless a miracle discover creates more hope for sufferers.

There are certain mental activities that, according to medical experts, can slow down the progression. These would include

Reading the newspaper each day and keeping your mind informed with the current news is is one way that can slow the onset of the disease. Make it a point to use your brain. Be an analytical reader and ask questions about the happenings going on. Don't just read the text and then forget about it. Being an active reader and allowing your imagination free reign will go a long way toward the all important exercising of the brain. In fact, studies have shown that people who regularly read are more likely to avoid or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Another wonderful mental exercise for people showing early signs of Alzheimer’s can do to help slow down the process is to solve puzzles. Crosswords are a favourite and solving Sudoku is an excellent exercise, particularly as the are supplied ith different levels of difficulty. The more that you use your brain, the better prospects you mare likely to have. Playing word games will also help and enable you to regularly use your vocabulary, and allow you to develop an automatic response with your words and language.

Taking up the opportunity to learn something new is another great excercise for the brain. Patients potentially suffering with Alzheimer’s should try to make that effort.

There are many classes available today covering a myriad of subjects from cooking to book reading and discussion to art appreciation etc. etc. Any of these courses that suits the interest of the individual makes an excellent choice.

Creative tasks such as arts and crafts is another way to tap into the brain’s resources without tiring them out. Learning something new also gives people facing Alzheimer’s the sense of purpose they may well have lost since they were diagnosed with the disease.