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Activities for Cognitively Impaired Residents

Caring for cognitively impaired individuals is never easy. Even if the impairment doesn't cause combativeness, impaired individuals may be difficult to handle due to loss of motor skills, memory issues and other cognitive problems. Fortunately, there are activities that can you can do with cognitively impaired residents to help improve their mindset and, in some cases, aid their recovery.

  1. Creative Activities

    • Creative activities, such as drawing, painting and making music, are helpful for those with cognitive impairments. According to a study published in the 2006 issue of Gerontology, creative endeavors help reduce depression and, when done in a group setting, reduce sense of isolation. The journal also reports that these activities can help residents who suffer from verbal problems express thoughts and feelings they are not able to articulate with words.

    Household Chores

    • While it might seem strange to ask cognitively impaired individuals to help with household chores, allowing residents to do as much as they safely can is good for their overall sense of well-being. The University of Kentucky Extension reports that doing chores often helps give residents a sense of purpose and sense of competence. The university recommends activities such as folding clothes or setting the table.

    Board Games

    • Simple board games, such as checkers or backgammon, help provide a sense of enjoyment. Residents with Alzheimer's-type dementia are often able to play games they enjoyed in their youth, as the disease tends to attack newer memories first. It's okay if a resident is not able to follow the game, as long as he isn't getting frustrated. Playing the game according to the rules isn't the point; fun and social connection is.

    Wii Games

    • As technology advances, some extended-care facilities, such as Columbine Health in Fort Collins, CO, are incorporating Wii games into their activities schedule. These games may be an especially good choice for stroke victims. CNET reports that the National Stroke Association has found that Wii versions of some activities, such as tennis, seem to help those recovering from strokes enhance their motor skills. These games are also helpful in that they allow even wheelchair-bound individuals to bowl, play shuffle-board and enjoy other activities once off-limits to them.

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