Recreational Therapy For Alzheimer's And Dementia

Ever wondered what you could do in your free time to make it count? Well, there is something called recreational therapy that is more than just fun and games. It is a thoughtful process where specific activities are chosen to help individuals with their challenges, including their illness or disabling condition. It is like a personalized plan to improve quality of life.¹

This constitutes activities such as arts, crafts, music, sports, swimming, movement, and community trips to support the patient. They vary according to the condition of an individual and usually focus on healing the whole person through psychological, physical and emotional healing and well-being.

Benefits of recreational therapy

• Stress management
• Improved physical health
• Cognitive stimulation
• Social connection
• Enhanced self-confidence
• Holistic well-being²

Building on our understanding of recreational therapy and its general benefits, now let us focus on its application, especially for individuals dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Since many people face these memory challenges, recreational therapy is like a special tool to give them extra support and tailored activities.

Dementia

Dementia is a condition that affects over 50 million people worldwide, thus making their daily life into a complex puzzle.³ Copious amounts of cognitive and psychological changes take place including:

• Memory loss
• Forgetting things, often noticed by others
• Issues with reasoning and problem-solving
• Difficulty planning and organizing things
• Poor coordination and control of movements⁴

Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a specific type of dementia, characterized by the decline of cognitive function and memory loss over time. It is classified as a neurodegenerative disorder which includes symptoms like disorientation, mood swings, self-neglect and behavioural issues.⁵ It is the most prevalent cause of dementia, impacting millions of people globally. Although the etiology of Alzheimer’s is still unknown, scientists believe that it may be caused due to:

• Genetic factors
• Environmental factors
• Lifestyle

While medications (for example- Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine)⁶ are available for Alzheimer’s, it’s important to highlight that recreational therapy offers a valuable complementary approach to enhance the well-being of individuals through enjoyable activities and experiences.

Recreational therapy activities designed for individuals with dementia

Music therapy

Engaging in musical activities enhances the overall well-being of an individual.⁷ It not only stimulates memory but also encourages a supportive and enjoyable environment for individuals with dementia to express themselves, and connect with others. Scientifically, it is proven that music activates neural networks which are directly linked to memory retrieval, thus prompting the recollection of personal memories and emotional experiences associated with familiar songs.^7,8

Similarly, when considering the impact on the brain, music is believed to activate some brain regions associated with emotions, such as the limbic system. Such therapy sessions stimulate memory and nurture social interaction and interpersonal communication.

Art therapy

Are you familiar with how art therapy can benefit individuals, including those who don’t have conditions like dementia?

It is a psychological therapy, thereby treating issues related to the mind and other behavioural problems. It utilizes art to express and convey thoughts and emotions effectively.⁹ It is rooted in the belief that individuals can achieve healing and improved emotional states through engaging themselves in artistic expressions. Activities usually include colouring, drawing, finger painting, working with clay and doodling.

Here are some steps to guide your loved one’s involvement in art therapy:

• Visualize and then picture the past- You can encourage an individual with dementia to promote a creative project aimed at storytelling or evoking memories. This offers an opportunity to initiate a conversation related to a particular event
• Follow the free-flow approach- Initiate by offering minimal guidance to prevent any feelings of confusion or frustration. Always support the natural progression of artwork.¹⁰ This will allow your loved ones to take the lead. Additionally, keep in mind that the artwork is considered finished when your loved one feels satisfied, respecting their unique perspective and preferences

Reminiscence therapy

Photographs have a knack of stirring up feelings of nostalgia when we look at them. This often gives us a sense of connection to the past, which ultimately evokes our emotions and memories. Thus, this therapy involves recalling and discussing past experiences with the help of photographs or objects from earlier times.

Eventually, stimulating cognitive function and memory recall for a patient with dementia. Additionally, engaging in reminiscence therapy has also proven to facilitate conversation with family members and dear ones and has resulted in improved conversation.¹¹ Revisiting past experiences can evoke a range of emotions, including joy, sadness and nostalgia. All these expressions are powerful tools for maintaining a sense of identity and self-awareness.

Physical activity

Another important component of recreational therapy includes engaging oneself in physical activities. This consists of gentle exercises, walking, gardening, yoga etc. This not only keeps an individual fit but also stimulates cognitive function by promoting blood flow and oxygen consumption, thus enhancing coordination, balance and motor skills which is helpful in individuals with dementia.¹²

Many physical activities are inherently social and serve as opportunities for individuals to connect with others, exempting them from loneliness. Physical activities can be tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of each individual which ultimately will provide therapeutic benefits and help in tackling dementia.

Therapeutic brain games and puzzles

Gaming is one of the many activities that successfully engage and fascinate the human mind. Most importantly, they keep our minds stimulated and engaged. This is particularly beneficial for individuals coping with dementia and has helped them to improve their cognitive skills and sensory stimulation.

Games and puzzles enhance memory by specifically targeting memory skills, provide a sense of accomplishment, and boost self-esteem.¹³ This ultimately promotes a sense of dignity which is essential for maintaining overall well-being.

Some examples include

• Word Puzzles
• Crosswords
• Word searches
• Card games
• Video games
• Bingo

Here are some benefits of brain-stimulating games for people with dementia:

1. Delays in onset memory loss: The above-listed activities provide regular cognitive stimulation and thus promote the maintenance of neural connections. These factors strengthen cognitive health and potentially slow down the progression of memory decline
2. An essential setting for communication and socialization: These games often provide opportunities for individuals to engage in conversations, thereby fostering a sense of connection and promoting a culture of teamwork^13,14

Pet therapy

Over the past few years, there has been a rise in interest in pet therapy for those suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer’s and other types. Interaction with animals, such as dogs, cats or rabbits can offer emotional support and decrease agitation and feelings of loneliness. Now, the question emerges: Does this actually help?

In a nutshell, the answer is yes, even if not everyone loves animals. Their presence can stimulate positive feelings and memories, encouraging social engagement and enhancing happiness and wellness.¹⁵ There’s more to it than just happiness.

Spending time with animals can also make people feel more relaxed. It’s like a kind of social magnet, drawing people together. Interacting with a pet triggers the release of natural chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine¹⁶, which makes the individual feel happy and content.

Also, spending time with pets involves moving around, like walking a dog or playing with a cat. This keeps our bodies healthy but also helps our brains by sending more oxygen and blood to them. It makes our thinking better and helps us remember things longer.

Effective strategies and tips for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s

• Tailor the activities and therapy criteria according to the individual's interests, abilities and past experiences¹⁷
• Choose activities which are easily incorporated by an individual and are easily understood. Do not overburden
• Encourage group activities to foster social engagement and meaningful connections among participants, including peers, friends and caregivers
• Provide freedom of choice to individuals and let them decide about the activities they want to indulge themselves in
• Monitor the signs such as fatigue or agitation and then modify the activities accordingly to ensure comfort¹⁸
• Recognize and celebrate the individual’s achievements, no matter how minor

Summary

In conclusion, recreational therapy provides a comprehensive strategy for improving the quality of life for people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Numerous benefits are observed including cognitive stimulation, emotional fulfilment, social connection and physical engagement through activities including art therapy, music therapy, pet therapy and therapeutic games and puzzles. These enjoyable activities allow the individuals to open up and foster a sense of autonomy to maintain their identity and dignity in the face of cognitive loss.