Featured: Resources for Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia written by Elder Law Answers
Every year, 16 million people in the United States care for family and friends with dementia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Caregivers of people with dementia provide care for longer durations than those who assist individuals with other conditions. They also have comparably higher risks for anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. One-third of caregivers of elders with dementia are older adults themselves.
Although caring for people with dementia can be challenging, a variety of resources can help caregivers assist their loved ones. Apps, devices, activity subscription services, caregiver training, and online resources can aid caregivers with their responsibilities, providing valuable information, structure, and support.
Technology for Caregivers of People With Dementia
Research suggests that technology may benefit people caring for those with dementia, alleviating some of the stress associated with caregiving. Technology should be inexpensive, scalable, and user-friendly to be effective. Among the numerous mobile apps and wearable devices available today are the following:
- Carely — Carely is a free, easy-to-use smartphone app for caregivers. The app facilitates care coordination, connecting families, friends, and healthcare providers. App users can share information about the daily schedule of an older adult with dementia as well as organize appointments and activities on the app’s calendar. Fostering communication between loved ones and caregivers, Carely promotes more companionship for older adults and seeks to lessen families’ stress.
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Care Predict — Individuals with cognitive decline may wear devices that keep loved ones informed about how they are doing. Care Predict provides this kind of technology, recording wearers’ daily patterns, such as how long they spend in bed or in the kitchen and revealing possible health issues family members may otherwise miss. For instance, spending all day in bed could indicate depression or other physical health issues.
CarePredict’s Care Circle App alerts family members of changes and potential concerns. For example, when people living with dementia are at risk for falls, the technology notifies family members, and when falls occur, individuals can use the wearable device to contact family.
The service requires an initial fee for the CarePredict™ @Home device plus a monthly subscription fee.
Activities for Dementia Patients and Loved Ones
Whereas tools such as wearable devices may support the health and safety of individuals with dementia, enrichment activities can also be beneficial. Engaging individuals with dementia promotes higher life satisfaction and better connections with family, friends, and other caregivers.
Caregivers looking to find things to do with their loved ones may subscribe to Connectivities, a monthly subscription box with activities for adults with dementia. Each kit contains eight activities with written and digital instructions, as well as exercise and music therapy videos.
Information for Caregivers
When their loved ones receive a dementia diagnosis, families may feel overwhelmed. Many resources can help those caring for people with dementia learn about the disease and caregiving strategies.
- The Savvy Caregiver is a free, nationally recognized training program for family members of people with dementia. The main program has six weekly two-hour video sessions — available in person or online. Those who have completed the training course reported less depression and distress.
The course covers:
- Understanding dementia diseases
- The elements of cognition
- Confusion in dementia
- Caregiver self-care
- Dementia’s progression
- Methods for helping with daily activities
- Decision making
- Community resources
- Family support
- Individuals caring for people with dementia can make an account on the Family Caregiver Alliance website, which provides a dashboard with resources all in one place and a list of services by state.
- The Alzheimer’s Association offers information specific to Alzheimer’s disease, which 50 percent to 80 percent of adults with dementia have.
Connectivities offers simple yet powerful way to meaningfully engage seniors with dementia
Since the COVID pandemic began, lockdowns, social distancing and intermittent quarantining has made it hard for families and communities to connect. And those isolating issues are compounded for people with dementia and their caregivers.
Due to heightened medical concerns, social interactions and outings may be curtailed or canceled, leaving the caregiver and cognitively impaired individual more time “alone” together.
Filling the endless hours with meaningful, enriching activities can be a challenge both for family and professional caregivers. That’s why it’s not surprising one of the frequent questions caregivers ask geriatric specialists and neurologists is: What can we do all day?
Now, one organization hopes to provide an answer—one that arrives at your door in a brightly colored box.
Purposeful, personalized activities
In July 2022, Prairie Elder Care, a Kansas-based assisted living and dementia-care organization, launched Connectivities, a monthly subscription service for caregivers of people with dementia.
“Many times, for caretakers, the burden of planning overshadows their ability to truly engage,” said Connectivities co-founder Michala Gibson, RN. “Connectivities delivers a solution that’s simple, purposeful and personal right to caretakers’ front doorsteps.”
Each box includes eight or more seasonal activities, puzzles, games, etc., that have been tested by individuals with dementia in assisted living. While they may look simple, the materials in the box are finely curated to engage individuals with differing cognitive and physical abilities.
"While they may look simple, the materials in the box are finely curated to engage individuals with differing cognitive and physical abilities."
“We spend a lot of time testing different shapes and sizes of the same product to figure out what’s actually going to work best for that particular activity,” said Mandy Shoemaker, a former elementary school principal and the other Connectivities co-founder.
To encourage multi-generational participation, Connectivities include a step-by-step written guide with photo illustrations, so many activities can be led or completed with the assistance of elementary-aged children and teenagers.
In addition, the instructions include therapy goals and modifications to adapt the activity to the appropriate level of difficulty.
“In dementia care,” Shoemaker said, “we talk a lot about how the memory of an activity or interaction may quickly fade, but the feelings they create last.”
Each box also comes with a link to a website that features instructional videos as well as additional music therapy and exercise activities and support links to a caregiver community.
Fostering a sense of community, connection and control
As the owners of the Prairie Elder Care and Prairie Farmstead group homes in Kansas, Gibson and Shoemaker’s experiences led them to develop a philosophy of care that permeates the contents of every box.
“Connectivities really came from our engagement model, which is based on community, connection and control,” Gibson said. “People who are living with dementia need to have a feeling of control to be able to connect with people and form a community. “
During her 20 years in dementia care, Gibson has found maintaining that sense of control depends on caregivers being able to understand, anticipate and satisfy needs before the onset of frustration, confusion and anger.
The Best Dementia-Friendly Outings to Help Get Out of the House
We all need a break from our daily routines every now and then, and that’s especially true for people living with dementia. If you’re caring for a loved one living with dementia, it’s also important to take some time for yourself on a regular basis. Research shows that just thirty minutes outside in nature can be a game changer for any of us. But finding activities that are both enjoyable and safe for both of you can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best dementia-friendly outings to help you and your loved one get out of the house. Some of these outings are best suited for people living with beginning stages or milder Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Whether you’re looking for a way to spend some quality time together or you simply need a break from the regular routine, these outings are sure to please. And because they’re designed with safety in mind, you can relax and enjoy your time together without worry. So go ahead and explore our list of the best dementia-friendly outings.
- Take a stroll through a botanical garden: Most botanical gardens have plenty of benches where you can rest, and the peaceful surroundings can be very calming for someone living with dementia. Just be sure to avoid gardens with crowds or loud noises. Call ahead and see if the garden offers golf cart tours on certain days. This can be a nice way for both of you to relax.
- Visit a local farm: There’s something about being surrounded by animals that can be very therapeutic. Farm animals are always entertaining. Even if your loved one didn’t love animals before, doesn’t mean they won’t now. And because farms are typically large and open, there’s little risk of getting lost or confused. Just be sure to steer clear of any areas where machinery is in use. Animal sanctuaries or rescues are great places to check out. They are often open to the public. You might even end up volunteering at one if things go well!
- Attend a seniors-only fitness class: Exercise is great for both physical and mental health, so it’s perfect for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Look for fitness classes specifically designed for seniors, as they tend to be lower impact and have less complicated movements.
- Go fishing: Fishing is another activity that can be very calming, and it’s also great exercise. If your loved one has never fished before, consider taking a beginner’s class together. For an outing like this it is important to have an extra set of hands. With the fishing gear to juggle and being around water, you want to be sure to set everyone up for success.
- Play tourist in your own town: Even if you’ve lived in your town for years, there’s probably still plenty that you haven’t seen. Playing tourist is a great way to spend time together while exploring your surroundings. Plus, it doesn’t require any special equipment or skills—just a sense of adventure!
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter: Spending time with animals has been shown to have numerous benefits for people living with dementia, so volunteering at a local animal shelter is a great activity for animal lovers. Jobs like helping to socialize puppies and taking dogs for walks are a great option.
- Take an art or cooking class: Art classes provide opportunities for socialization and creative expression, while cooking classes offer structure and routine—two things that people with dementia often find comforting. It is common for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia to enjoy creative endeavors even if they did not enjoy them prior to diagnosis. Look for classes specifically designed for seniors or people with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.
- Go on a nature hike: Being outdoors has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being, so spending time in nature is always good idea. When choosing a hiking trail, look for ones that are well-marked and relatively level. And if possible, avoid trails with steep drop - offs or bodies water—they could present dangers if your loved one becomes confused or disoriented. Our October Connectivities Box includes a fun fall scavenger hunt! It is a great outdoor activity!
- Have lunch at a senior center: Senior centers offer activities, social events, and meals specifically tailored to seniors. Many also have day programs that provide supervised activities for people living with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. Check your local senior center’s website or give them call find out what they currently offer.
- Visit a local museum. Museums often have special tours for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Call ahead and see what the museum offers. There are so many opportunities for connections in museums!
Caring for someone living with dementia can be both challenging and rewarding. It’s important to find ways relieve stress and stay positive — you and your loved one will benefit from it. We hope our list of the best dementia-friendly outings has given some ideas help you get started! Remember, it‘s important take breaks and focus on self-care —you deserve it!