Outdoor Activities for Dementia Patients To Enjoy This Summer

When tasked with helping to care for our elderly loved ones who suffer from dementia, the process can be a long and winding road. There are good days and bad days. When the onset of dementia takes place, the resulting loss of cognitive function will severely hamper a loved one's ability to carry out various daily tasks. That's why outdoor activities for dementia patients are crucial, especially during the summer when they can easily enjoy the outdoors.

Heading outdoors allows dementia patients to raise their Vitamin D intake and give them time to break free of routines that they may find restricting. Even something as simple as listening to the birds chip can make a big difference.

Read on and learn more about the many benefits of outdoor activities for dementia patients.

Dementia patients can enjoy many benefits of getting outside that affect multiple areas of their life:

Physical Benefits

Even something as simple as a brief walk outdoors every day can be excellent for the patient’s physical well-being. The patient can access dopamine effortlessly, as physical activity is one of the easiest ways to release this positive chemical in our brains.

Mental/Cognitive Benefits

When a dementia patient does not get enough time outdoors, the Vitamin D deficit can affect their sleep quality. A lack of sleep has a marked effect on happiness and mood, so it is vital to embrace these benefits. These benefits reduce stress and anxiety, allowing for decreased agitation and a higher level of relaxation.

Social Benefits

The more outdoor activities that the dementia patient engages in, the more likely they are to access memories that they are unable to relive regularly. Our memories are more closely linked to specific locations than we may realize. Allowing dementia patients to visit familiar places can be a big plus from a social standpoint as they can remember things smoothly and, as a result, enjoy meaningful conversations.

Quality of Life Improvements

All these benefits come together to give the patient a much higher quality of life. By taking the time and effort to choose activities close to the patient's specific needs, the overall well-being of a dementia patient significantly improves. Stress reduction and accessible memories let the patient begin living a far more healthy existence.

Preparing Outdoor Activities for Dementia Patients

Consultation With Healthcare Professionals

Consultation with a healthcare professional is an absolute must before proceeding. While preparing for outdoor activities with dementia patients may seem simple enough, you must sit down with their trusted healthcare professionals.

Let them know all about your plans. If there are any potential pitfalls that you did not consider, the healthcare professional will alert you before these problems even have the chance to take place.

Consideration of Safety Precautions and Accessibility

Are the necessary precautions being taken? You must consider the specific patient’s diminished physical capabilities. Are the chosen locations fully accessible to the patient? This question is another question that needs answering before proceeding. Don't make the mistake of choosing an outdoor activity that does not take safety and accessibility into account.

Selecting Appropriate Activities Based on the Individual's Abilities and Interests

Choose activities based on the patient's abilities and interests. Selecting the appropriate events will allow them to access their memories better and give them a greater sense of purpose. The prospect of remaining indoors all day is unhealthy for anyone, let alone a dementia patient. Tailor the selections to their specific lifestyle and past and watch how their demeanor shifts.

Recommended Outdoor Activities for Dementia Patients

Let's take a look at some activities your loved ones may find joy in this summer:

Walking & Nature Trails

Regular walks allow the patient to maintain a healthy weight, improve their fitness, enhance their sleep schedule, and place them in a better mood on a day-to-day basis. Regular walking reduces stress and anxiety immensely.

Gardening + Horticulture Therapy

Gardening taps into the patient's inner strength. Gardening makes it easier for them to tap into their long and short-term memories. You can activate their memories by engaging a dementia patient's senses of smell and touch.

Picnics in the Park or Backyard

Social activities like a backyard picnic are great for any cognitively impaired patient. It's a valuable opportunity for stimulation that the patient may not be able to enjoy otherwise.

Outdoor Art & Music Sessions

The same goes for outdoor art and music sessions. Music and art are both vital keys when it comes to unlocking memories. Music, in particular, is a powerful tool. By engaging more of the patient's senses, they can access memories they may not have access to daily.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Therapy animals are great for improving the patient's confidence and self-esteem. Animal-assisted therapy can increase the patient's independence, provide a better quality of life, and is especially crucial for a patient who has trouble communicating daily. Taking care of an animal allows them to stay more involved and engaged.

Even spending time at a petting zoo or other area where they can interact with animals has many benefits.

Important Outdoor Safety Considerations

While we highly encourage getting out and enjoying the summertime with your loved one, there are a few safety precautions to be aware of to make sure everyone has both a fun and safe time.

Sun Protection and Hydration

Sun protection and proper hydration are crucial in protection for outdoor activities, regardless of whether or not you are a dementia patient. Of course, these are safety considerations that need to take place during outdoor activities. Do not allow the patient to overexpose themselves to harmful UV rays, and ensure they remain hydrated all the time.

Managing Temperature Extremes

When you take a loved one outdoors during summer or winter, manage extreme temperatures. Do not allow the patient to overheat or become too cold, depending on their condition.

Building on previous points, one should give the patient proper footwear and clothing for the current weather conditions. The same goes for the activity you are choosing. For example, a walking patient will need a comfortable pair of shoes specifically for that purpose. Apply the same logic in every possible instance.

Supervision and Support During Activities

This should go without saying, but proper supervision and support during these activities are crucial. These patients sometimes may not possess full awareness of their surroundings. They may make choices that seem innocent at the moment but can lead to them getting hurt. Never allow a dementia patient to participate in the previously mentioned activities without supervision and support.

There is no shortage of benefits for a dementia patient to enjoy when it comes to outdoor activities. The improvements to their overall health and well-being cannot be understated. Their physical health, as well as their mental health, must both remain protected. Outdoor activities do wonders in reducing stress and anxiety while providing an outlet allowing the recovery of lost memories.

Outdoor Activity Is Important for Dementia Patients

Outdoor activity is vital in dementia care, so loved ones and caregivers should never neglect its importance. By taking the time to prioritize outdoor engagement, dementia patients can be in a much better position over both the short term and long haul.

If your loved one is need of a caregiver to help them enjoy more of these activities under professional supervision, contact Barr Private Care today! Our skilled caregivers can give your loved ones the support they need and help take some of the stress off of your shoulders.