Although receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be frightening for seniors and their families, developing resilience can significantly enhance the quality of life for those who are struggling with the disease. Resilience is the capacity to adjust and overcome hardships, and it is essential for coping with Alzheimer’s disease. Seniors with the disease can rely on support from loved ones and tips they receive through Alzheimer’s home care to learn how to develop the needed resiliency.

Understanding the Connection Between Alzheimer’s and Adaptability

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition that worsens with time and affects thinking, behavior, and memory. The disease progresses differently for each senior, yet it always significantly changes their lives. In this situation, resilience is about adjusting to these changes in a way that upholds relationships, promotes well-being, and protects dignity rather than fighting against them.

Ways to build this resilience are suggested below.

Establishing a Helpful Environment

Resilience development starts with a supportive environment. In other words, it’s essential to ensure seniors’ homes are cozy and safe places to live. Additionally, the home should be easy to navigate, which might require removing obstacles and labeling things to alleviate confusion.

Loved ones can lean on Alzheimer’s home care tips and resources to learn what changes should be made to help seniors feel more confident in their homes, which ultimately leads to increased resilience.

Promote Physical Exercise

Frequent exercise can enhance resilience by lowering anxiety, elevating mood, and fostering better sleep. Even when seniors struggle with mobility issues, they can still do activities that increase their physical activity throughout the day. For instance, there are a variety of chair exercises, such as yoga, that seniors can try.

Seniors without mobility issues might enjoy dancing, swimming, or walking around the neighborhood. Loved ones can also help seniors consider other ways to get exercise that don’t actually look like exercise, such as gardening.

Cognitive Activities and Mental Stimulation

Building and maintaining resilience is also connected to having an active mind. Puzzles, memory games, and other cognitive activities are good ways to keep the brain active. Seniors might also work on achieving new skills, such as mastering a new device or doing basic crafts.

Engaging in these activities with the help of Alzheimer’s home care providers can provide seniors with a sense of accomplishment and a confidence boost.

Creating Social Networks

Strong social ties are also essential for resilience and emotional well-being. As loved ones of a senior receiving Alzheimer’s home care, promoting frequent get-togethers and visits is key. Even in small groups, social events can foster a feeling of support and belonging.

Also, Alzheimer’s home care and loved ones can encourage seniors to attend community events, join support groups, and more to promote a sense of community and fight loneliness.

If possible, seniors can also build resilience through volunteering. Loved ones and Alzheimer’s home care professionals can help them find a possible placement that understands their condition and offers opportunities that meet their abilities.

Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from activities that help them find a purpose, which ultimately increases their resilience and allows them to work through the challenges of their diagnosis. It’s important for both loved ones and seniors to lean on the support they get from Alzheimer’s home care as well.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Orinda, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care today at (415) 463-1400

Aviva In-Home Care provides exceptional senior home care in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Burlingame, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Lafayette, Orinda, and surrounding areas.

Sources:

• https://www.mentalhealthandaging.com/how-to-build-resilience-in-older-adults/
• https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/articles/role-resilience-in-alzheimer-s-5466
• https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/resilience-and-healthy-aging

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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