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Goals & Objectives for Persons With Dementia

Persons with dementia have short-term memory problems that affect every aspect of their life. The rate at which their memory declines is variable. There are certain things that seem to slow the rate of mental decline. It is with this in mind that goals and objectives are created for these individuals.

  1. Remain Physically Active

    • One goal for persons with dementia is for them to remain physically active. Physical activity is good for anyone, especially those with dementia. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and strengthens the heart. It also helps people maintain a normal body weight. Exercise lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol. All these things help a person with dementia.

      Exercises that persons with dementia might enjoy that are easy to do include walking, dancing, simple exercise groups, bending, stretching and tai chi. Try to get the person with dementia to exercise at least 30 minutes a day to maximize their brain health. Reuters reports that information from a Korean study done in 2007 suggests that regular daily exercise benefits elderly women with dementia, and these benefits appear to accrue over time.

    Stay Mentally Active

    • Another goal and objective for persons with dementia is to stay mentally active. Almost any type of mental activity may be beneficial, People in the early stages of dementia may enjoy reading, listening to the radio, trips to the museum, crossword puzzles and board games.

      A game of Mahjong may be a good choice of an activity as well. According to a study in the "International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry," volume 21 issue 7, pages 611 to 617 from June 15, 2006, the game of Mahjong is a possible treatment option for dementia.

      People in the later stages of dementia need simpler mental exercises that are more to their own interests and capabilities. They may like to do simple computations, read from simpler books and tell stories about their past. Modifying and adapting an activity they used to enjoy so that it is success oriented and failure free may be beneficial to persons with dementia.

    Keep Social Ties

    • It is important for persons with dementia to remain socially active. This is another goal for persons with dementia. They should go to parties where they can engage in conversation. There are many opportunities for persons with dementia to be social. Their families can enroll them in adult day care. Here they will be with a group of their peers.

      There will be no need to feel self-conscious because everyone there will have some sort of mental impairment. Besides the social activities these places offer, they also have activities that are mentally and physically stimulating. According to a study from the University College London published in the "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry" in October 2008, the key is to keep up the social life of persons with dementia in order for them to remain happy.

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