Specialized memory care therapy is a key aspect of Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Seniors with these conditions need custom care plans that preserve their cognitive and mental abilities as much as possible.
Memory care providers use different types of therapies to help seniors maintain an active and fulfilling life despite their conditions. If you are looking for memory care facilities in Hixson, Tennessee — near Chattanooga — it’s vital to understand the different types of therapies they offer.
Let’s explore multiple types of therapies in memory care that may complement medication and assistance with daily tasks, plus what memory care facilities in the Chattanooga area offer seniors overall.
What is cognitive memory care therapy?
Cognitive skills are essential for daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, or cooking. For individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, these skills can decline over time, so cognitive therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on improving cognitive skills such as problem-solving, attention, and memory.
Cognitive therapy is one non-medication approach provided by licensed therapists who design a personalized plan of care for each senior based on their specific condition. Memory care facilities in Tennessee like Dominion of Hixson offer cognitive therapy integrated into fun activities to enhance seniors’ cognitive skills and help them manage their daily tasks. Our residents enjoy enriching their lives with puzzles, riddles, and other word games.
Other cognitive activities include:
- Reminiscence therapy, in which seniors recall past events and discuss them with the therapist to improve memory function.
- Reality orientation therapy; this encourages seniors with dementia to better identify their surroundings and orient themselves to their environments.
- Spaced retrieval, which works on memory recall through repetition and recall techniques.
Family members play an important role in supporting a loved one who is receiving cognitive therapy. One way is to encourage seniors to participate in mentally stimulating activities and to provide them with emotional support throughout the process. Additionally, family members can occasionally participate in these sessions with their loved one in long-term care to improve their relationship and communication.
How does physical therapy benefit the mind?
Physical therapy focuses on restoring and maintaining physical abilities. It can not only maintain bone health and promote mobility, but studies have shown that exercising triggers endorphins in the brain, which can significantly impact seniors’ overall well-being, including their mental health.
At our long-term care community, seniors receive full supervision while performing the following types of training, ensuring their security throughout sessions.
- Strength training involves the use of weights, resistance bands, and other equipment to improve their muscle tone, motor control, and prevent their muscles from weakening over time.
- Another physical technique that has shown to be effective for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia is balance training. It focuses on improving stability and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. Balance training usually involves a series of specific exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles in your legs and hips, as well as the core muscles, all of which contribute to improved stability.
- Physical therapy can also include mobility training. Mobility training for seniors with memory loss gets them to move more effortlessly, improving their overall quality of life. This type of therapy involves exercises focused on improving each senior’s range of motion — such as stretching and range of motion exercises — which have the added benefit of improving their flexibility.
Like cognitive therapy, physical therapy may be integrated into exciting games and activities such as sports, chair yoga, and gardening for seniors.
What is art therapy like for Southern Tennessee memory care residents?
Art therapy is a creative therapy that uses various art forms such as painting, drawing, and music to stimulate seniors’ cognitive and emotional abilities. Art therapy can improve seniors’ moods, memories, and self-expression.
This type of therapy is conducted by trained professionals who provide a supportive and engaging environment for seniors to express themselves. Dominion of Hixson is pleased to offer art therapy sessions to enhance seniors’ creativity and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Why is pet therapy helpful for Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Pet therapy is a growing trend in memory care facilities, and we hope it’s here to stay. Pets such as dogs, cats, or birds can provide seniors with companionship, comfort, and reduce anxiety.
In long-term care communities and memory care facilities in Tennessee, pet therapy sessions ensure the pets’ welfare along with seniors’ safety. Having furry friends promotes physical activity, social interaction, and reduces feelings of loneliness. Pet therapy is a popular therapy in memory care facilities in the Chattanooga area, as it brings immense joy to seniors’ lives.
What is sensory therapy, and how does it calm seniors with memory loss?
Sensory therapy uses sensory stimuli such as scents, sounds, or textures to engage seniors’ senses and improve their cognitive function. It is able to boost seniors’ memory, mood, and reduce anxiety.
Memory care providers like Dominion of Hixson offer sensory therapy sessions with various sensory tools and equipment to stimulate seniors’ senses and promote a sense of well-being.
Understanding The Role of Therapies Within Memory Care Facilities in Tennessee
All kinds of memory care therapies for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia help them maintain their cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Memory care facilities in Tennessee, such as those in Hixson, offer a wide range of practices to accommodate seniors’ needs and preferences, such as cognitive therapy, physical therapy, art therapy, pet therapy, and sensory therapy. Choosing the right memory care facility or community that provides comprehensive, personalized memory care programs is crucial for your loved one’s health and happiness.
If you have questions about memory care therapies and want to see them in action, schedule a tour at Dominion of Hixson to see how your loved one does not have to be defined by their diagnosis. You won’t just find a memory care facility; our care home is a welcoming community.
