One of the key elements in the treatment of Alzheimer's patients is keeping their minds active in order to slow down the normal progression of the disease. Although it is incurable, these people can still enjoy many different types of activities. If you are a caregiver or have a loved one who suffers from Alzheimer's, you not only need to look after the patient's physical needs and safety, but you also need to provide them with stimulating material to keep their minds engaged. Some great activities for Alzheimer's patients are listed in this article.

Word puzzles are a wonderful way to keep a mind active. No matter whether the patient prefers crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or word searches, there are hundreds of them available. You will even be able to find some that have to do with subjects that interests the person, such as fishing, golf, or traveling. Word games do not challenge a patient's mobility issues; instead they offer intellectual stimulus. When done on a daily basis, they have been proven to help decrease memory loss and slow the pace of dementia, of which Alzheimer's is the most common type.

Reading is another excellent way to promote an active mind. It doesn't really matter whether you read to them or they read to you. Discussing what's been read will also stimulate thinking and comprehension skills. If the patient is past the point of being able to comprehend only printed material, you can use books with pictures, because the visual stimulation will also help them understand and remember. Pleasurable activities such as these will let the patient get to know you better which will foster recognition later on.

There are tons of craft ideas online that can be used with dementia patients. You can start simple, such as with a collage of pictures of their favorite things, and go on to other types of crafts if they are interested and able. Maintaining craft skills that they have enjoyed previously is a good therapy, too. Such activities as scrapbooking, knitting, card making, and drawing encourage thinking processes. Just don't give them anything that will frustrate them too much and bring on extended fits of anger.

Always remember that while the patient has problems, he or she isn't sick. They should still be allowed to do cleaning, cooking, gardening, or other daily chores as long as they are able. They also aren't vegetables incapable of feeling, and if you don't give them plenty to do, they will experience boredom and depression just like anyone else.