When caring for those with dementia, we prioritise safety and security. This particularly becomes more important as the symptoms advance and start to become more prominent.
Although staying indoors can provide a level of security, staying outdoors and relaxing in nature has many advantages for those needing dementia care.
In this article, we will outline the benefits of outdoor activities for those living with dementia. We will explore how it adds tremendous value to their emotional well-being and health.
Sensory Stimulation
An important benefit of being outdoors for those with dementia is sensory stimulation. Studies have shown that as we grow older, there is a gradual decline in the way our senses process information, and this may result in our being separated from the world at large. Since dementia can negatively affect the occipital, temporal, insula, parietal, and frontal regions of the brain, it may cause a change in sensory experiences.
The good news is that investing your time outdoors can engage and excite the senses compared to staying outdoors.
For instance, imagine relaxing in a garden seat, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight, and feeling its radiance. You can feel how tranquil the environment is as you hear the birds sing. As you breathe in the fresh smell of flowers and plants, the serene environs offer a sense of joy and beauty. All these engage your senses and create a sense of heightened awareness and vitality. The same goes for people living with dementia.
So, take it a notch further and indulge in activities such as gardening to offer a fresh degree of sensory stimulation, which can particularly benefit those with dementia.
Lower cognitive decline
Research has revealed that outdoor activities can assist in lowering the incidence of cognitive decline, keeping the mental faculty in good shape. Spending time outdoors can also improve hippocampal volume, which can contribute to better spatial memory function.
Staying in an environment with enough light and exercising can result in increased communication, as shown in various research studies.
As a domiciliary caregiver, this should be convincing enough to integrate outdoor activities into your dementia care plan.
Better Sleep
It is not uncommon for people living with dementia to experience disrupted sleep patterns. This happens because of irregularities in the bodily circadian rhythm – which functions as a clock that tells the body when to sleep and wake.
Indulging in outdoor activities can do a good job of resetting this body clock. This ultimately energises people in the daytime and offers them a tranquil, calm, and improved quality of sleep at night.
Increases Vitamin D Intake
As we grow older, we get less vitamin D. This is known as vitamin D deficiency. One way to reverse this issue is by being exposed to sunlight. However, you should exercise caution when in the sun. This may include the use of sunscreen.
Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption, the strengthening of bones, and even protein synthesis.
Evoking positive memories
Most people living with dementia experience cognitive decline, memory loss, confusion, and behavioural changes. Thus, integrating activities that encourage relaxation and social engagement can help to evoke positive memories.
Since there is a relationship between memories and specific places, aromas, or people, spending time outside can offer a great platform for reminiscing on those good old times.
For instance, you can take a trip to familiar terrain like a lake where you spent time as a kid or even a zoo where the person living with dementia used to take their loved ones.
So you can always spend time in these types of locations and even engage in conversation with people whenever you visit these areas.
Socialisation
Loneliness is still a big issue that people living with dementia face. This particularly becomes more problematic as communication issues make it difficult to undertake social interaction and discuss with others.
However, there are a lot of different strategies you can use to facilitate socialisation, and with outdoor activities, you can achieve this in many ways. For instance, you can take your elderly loved ones on a stroll through a natural environment or on a horticultural trip.
Conclusion
Outdoor activities can benefit the emotional well-being and physical health of those with dementia. It is crucial that, as a domiciliary care provider, you find the most suitable one for your loved one.
Ensure you consider their interests and preferences when making the choice. This is the key to managing dementia symptoms and maintaining positive mental well-being.
