Caring for a loved one with dementia comes with unique challenges, including the need to maintain their cognitive functions as much as possible. Toys designed for elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s are tailored to address the needs of those experiencing cognitive decline. These toys provide stimulation to help retain memory and improve overall quality of life.
In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of these toys, explore the most effective types, and discuss how to seamlessly incorporate them into your loved one’s daily routine.
So, let’s get started!
Importance of Cognitive Stimulation for Dementia Patients
Cognitive stimulation may slow down the deterioration of brain function and the acceleration of symptoms emerging because of dementia.
For the dementia patient, remaining mentally active may be conducive to slowing up the degradation of cognitive skills like memory, decision-making, attention, and language, among others.
Dementia products1 (toys) created for engagement and problem-solving purposes would provide an accessible way to introduce cognitive challenges without overwhelming the patient.
Most researchers have proven that cognitive activities stimulate neuroplasticity, especially when such activities are easy and fun to do. Such simulations will keep a person's mental faculties longer as dementia advances, and therefore quality of life is greatly improved.
The most accessible and effective stimulation of this kind, though not in a threatening or exciting way, would be the use of dementia-friendly toys.
Types of Toys for Dementia Patients That Enhance Cognitive Function
There are many toys and activities designed especially to be used with dementia patients. These toys are designed to focus on specific areas of cognitive function, tailored to meet the individual needs and capabilities of each patient.
Let's find out the most effective types of dementia toys:
Puzzle Toys & Memory Games
Puzzle toys and memory games are excellent tools that help to increase cognitive levels in patients suffering from dementia. They test the patient's memory along with short-term recall while checking their problem-solving abilities. People who are in the early to moderate stages love pieces of jigsaw puzzles, sorting, and matching games because these tasks require constant focusing and concentration.
On the other hand, memory games for adults2, such as matching cards, also stimulate recall and recognition, both of which are important cognitive functions that are most often dysfunctional in dementia patients. Repeated interaction with these toys can strengthen their mental pathways, making for a gentle workout for the brain.
Sensory and Fidget Toys
Patients suffering from dementia will need sensory stimulation, particularly in the later stages of their condition. Sensory toys for memory care can be used to stimulate the patients' tactile senses, which helps in controlling agitation, anxiety, and restlessness.
Fidget toys, for instance, which are small handheld objects to be manipulated with the hands, have been proven to give a soothing effect. With these, you can coach the patient to channel their energy better to minimize the symptoms of anxiety or frustration.
Texture-based toys, for example, soft fabric squares or sensory balls, may offer a feeling of comfort and even grounding for people under stress who feel disoriented.
Creative Toys and Art Kits
Creative toys such as an art kit, coloring books, and clay modeling allow dementia patients to be creative. It stimulates various parts of the brain, develops cognitive flexibility, allows pent-up emotions to pour out, and achieves motor coordination, concentration, and attention to instructions, thus sustaining cognitive function.
Some creative outlets can also create reasons to smile and introduce a sense of happiness into a person's life. Most importantly, art allows patients with a history of verbal incapacity to express themselves as the medium is universally understood.
Therapy Dolls
Therapy dolls, another type of toy, have a profound positive impact on dementia patients by creating feelings of care, nurture, and companionship. Advanced dementia patients can reconnect with their nurturing instincts with therapy dolls, thus reducing anxiety and agitation.
Other than the visual, dolls can also be held or taken care of, which in itself can evoke the memory and emotion associated with being a parent or caregiver. Such sensory stimulation relieves feelings of loneliness, making the patient feel important. This study indicates the use of dolls can have a positive impact on people with dementia.
Related: Importance of Stimulating Sensory Activities for Seniors With Dementia3
Life Stations
Life stations are mimics of everyday settings, such as a kitchen or workbench, in which patients can live a busy day similar to what they would if they lived at home. The stations provide a familiar task, like folding towels or laying out tools, that can easily stimulate memories from past events and create feelings of accomplishment.
Life stations also encourage social interaction, reducing social isolation4 in care facilities. Patients engage in purposeful tasks, which can boost their confidence and independence. Moreover, these games are a great asset to individuals in memory care because they provide an organizational, meaningful pathway to staying active.
All these routine or dementia-friendly activities strengthen cognitive function, since there would be activation of muscle memory and stimulating the ability to solve problems. Life stations offer a secure and controlled environment wherein patients are encouraged to engage in purposeful tasks, which may make the patient increase their confidence level and independence.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out this Alzheiemer’s store5 to buy the best games for your loved ones!
Cognitive Benefits of Dementia Toys
The main reason for toys is to be used as cognitive stimulation, which may delay their decline and keep minds agile. Dementia toys have many cognitive benefits. Here are some:
- Enhancing Memory and Recall
The main purpose of toys, in particular, memory games and puzzles is to stimulate parts of the brain that involve recalling memory. In this regard, these toys encourage the patient to remember patterns, associations, and facts, thereby enhancing neural pathways and better retaining memory over time.
- Improving Focus and Attention
Another aspect of abilities impaired in dementia is the decreased capacity to pay attention. Some toys require sustained attention such as jigsaw puzzles, for example, or sorting games, or coloring activities. Focused activities can be long-term savers, enabling more of an attention span in a patient's daily routines.
Emotional and Social Advantages of Using Toys
While boosting cognitive functions, dementia toys provide emotional and social benefits. The poor deterioration of a patient's condition can be accompanied by anguish, restlessness, and loneliness. Toys that stimulate the senses or provide creative outlets can help soothe these feelings and provide emotional relief.
- Dementia Toys Can Reduce Anxiety
Some of the common symptoms of dementia are anxiety attacks, which generally occur during the advanced stages when the patient becomes aware of their declining intellect. Toys, especially sensory or fidget toys, help reduce anxiety attacks as these are usually soothing, repetitive activities. Tactile stimulation caused by these helps them to be grounded in the present moment as they feel less restless and anxious.
A therapy doll, or even another nurturing toy, can sometimes reduce anxiety through comfort. Holding or playing with a doll mimics the feeling of nurturing someone else which can alleviate fear and loneliness.
- Encourage Social Interaction Through Group Play
Social interaction is also very important even for dementia patients as it enhances both emotional and cognitive well-being. Play that encourages group interaction, such as large-piece puzzles or group art projects, promotes communication, cooperation, and social bonding. Such practices encourage patients to work together, share experiences, and develop a sense of community.
Group activities are very useful for care facilities that cater to memory because they reduce isolation, which most patients experience. With the means of interaction that toys and games provide, the patients remain positively and constructively occupied while their mental and emotional well-being is enhanced.
Toys for Dementia Patients in Memory Care Facilities
Memory care facilities integrate dementia toys into their daily activities so that the patients receive steady mental stimulation daily. Such toys are essential elements of some therapeutic activities aimed at improving the quality of life for patients.
In this regard, the availability of toys and games at most times is a strategy that may assure staff that there will always be an opportunity to engage patients in stimulating those minds and reducing anxiety.
Toys for dementia patients can be used in memory care facilities in several ways such as structured group activities to one-to-one sessions. Whether through memory games, fidget toys, or therapy dolls, these tools are tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient.
How Toys Are Integrated into Daily Routines?
Toys are integrated into the daily lives of dementia patients in the form of planned and unplanned activities designed to provide more or less consistent cognitive and emotional stimulation.
For example, in memory care facilities, staff typically schedule times for group activities such as puzzle-solving sessions, art therapy, or sensory play ensuring that patients engage with stimulating materials in a supportive environment. These toys also become parts for interaction with a caregiver when patients require interaction or comfort without anxiety.
On the other hand, therapy dolls might be given in the afternoon to calm agitated patients, and fidget toys or sensory balls might be available for use at different times of the day to help patients soothe their restlessness.
By using a daily routine that incorporates toys for a patient, the caregiver is creating an environment that is familiar and developed to allow the patient with dementia to acclimate to it. Such routine interaction fosters engagement, stimulates memory, and promotes socialization which enhances better well-being for the patient.
In facilities, toys play other roles than simply "play"; they're used much more as therapeutic tools that fit just as well into daily care plans, using knowledge of an individual's cognitive strengths and weaknesses to move these pieces into place. As such, therapeutic toys for seniors become part of an overall strategy in terms of stimulating mental faculties or maintaining emotional stability.
Choosing the Right Toys for Dementia Patients
When buying toys for dementia patients, it is important to consider both their cognitive abilities and preferences. Not all toys are suitable for every stage of dementia, so you should choose options that match the individual’s requirements while also offering cognitive challenges.
- Match Toys with Dementia Stage
Dementia is categorized into stages of deterioration from the loss of cognitive function to severe levels of memory loss and confusion. The toys chosen at each stage should reflect the cognitive level of the patient.
For instance, patients in the earlier stage can be amused by more complex games involving puzzles or memory games compared to patients who are in the later stages of dementia and can respond better to a sensual toy or therapy doll.
As the disease progresses, so should a decrease in the amount of cognitive stimulation because frustration can readily overcome the patient. Toys that are too complex provoke agitation, while toys that are too simple fail to engage the patient's cognitive faculty.
Also Read: Importance Of Understanding The Dementia Stages6
- Ensuring Safety and Dignity with Adult-Appropriate Toys
While toys can be beneficial for dementia patients, it’s essential to ensure they are age-appropriate and respect the dignity of the patient. Many patients suffering from dementia, especially in the initial stages will realize that their cognitive abilities are deteriorating, so they may feel embarrassed or frustrated if the toys appear childish.
One can provide them with the required cognitive stimulation for dementia without offending their dignity by selecting the right adult toys-like challenging puzzles, art kits, or sensory toys that are specifically catered for dementia patients. Safety will also be key; all toys you select should be non-toxic toys for dementia care, solid, and without parts that may easily detach and cause the patient to choke on them.
Conclusion
Dementia toys are powerful, non-pharmacological means of cognitive stimulation and emotional support. From puzzle toys that stimulate the brain or comforting sensory objects, these tools help enhance the well-being of patients with dementia.
By incorporating several toys, many caregivers and healthcare professionals can promote the preservation of cognitive function, minimize anxiety, and maximize social interaction in daily life. The role of these amazing toys would only increase with evidence that proved with even more benefits the cognitive stimulation brought to dementia care.
It is also important to consider individuals' unique needs, abilities, and preferences when purchasing toys for people with dementia. By choosing appropriate, adult-oriented play materials we can provide valuable cognitive stimulation while maintaining the dignity and respect that every person deserves, regardless of their cognitive challenges.
