Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Dementia Activities

You never really know how it will go when visiting a family member with dementia.

They might recognize you and reach out in love and appreciation that you came to see them. Or they might withdraw or lash out in frustration, seemingly angry at the world for being so confusing.

And you love them all the same.

Anyone who has served as a caretaker for a person with dementia knows that “challenging” doesn’t begin to describe what it is like to experience the mood swings, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes in your loved one.

Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally taxing. Part of the challenge is helping your loved one manage the frequent confusion, frustration, and mood swings that often accompany such neurodegenerative diseases.

A life without meaningful activities is an unfulfilling life. From daily household chores to hobbies, activities give the day structure while simultaneously defining who we are. For seniors living with dementia, an inability to participate in previously enjoyable, purposeful activities can cause restlessness and depression. But though the physical capabilities of dementia patients will decline, it’s still possible to provide them with meaningful everyday activities.

Caregivers of the elderly often refer to the SLUMS Exam and the GDS in evaluating the health and condition of their patients. The SLUMS Examination is a screening tool for dementia developed by Saint Louis University geriatricians that identifies mild cognitive problems, and the GDS is a 30-item self-report assessment used to identify depression. Both are designed for use with the elderly.

There is no single, definitive test to determine whether an individual is suffering from dementia. Rather, the healthcare team considers all potential causes while conducting a comprehensive assessment of the patient. Doctors often use the SLUMS Examination in order to determine whether further testing might be necessary. Let's take a closer look at this widely used, clinician-administered diagnostic tool.