Living well - Quality of life - Adapting leisure interests to meet new abilities

Leisure means different things to different people, but leisure experiences that are individually meaningful can help you to live life to the fullest. Meaningful leisure can help you to:

• Find balance between relaxation and keeping busy
• Provide a sense of freedom to escape the stresses of everyday life
• Allow room for individual expression
• Provide an opportunity to laugh, have fun and enjoy life
• Connect with family and friends
• Provide an opportunity to grow and develop
• Contribute to your community and make a difference

Personal challenges to leisure participation may include cognitive changes (such as changes in memory and concentration, difficulty following directions and making plans), physical changes (such as lower energy, fatigue), motivational levels (such as lack of motivation to get involved with activities you once found valuable) and emotional responses (such as lower confidence, fear, anxiety, uncertainty). But there are things you can do to deal with personal challenges to leisure participation.

• For cognitive challenges, consider making a routine and being repetitive with your leisure choices. If you enjoy watching television, you can record your favourite shows and the channels they are on so you are able to watch them when you want and several times should you desire. As abilities change, consider adapting the activity so you can still enjoy it.
• When dealing with physical changes that may impact your leisure participation, make sure to get enough sleep each night and maintain a healthy diet. Reduce the amount of time you spend on an activity so you don’t get overtired. If concerned about balance, consider purchasing walking poles.
• To stay motivated, participate in leisure activities you like to do. Try to remain optimistic. Engage in positive self-talk and try to take each day one at a time.
• When dealing with emotional responses, think about using leisure as an outlet to express feelings through art, poetry or writing. Believe in yourself, and try not to worry about what others might think.

Source: Compiled with permission from Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP). (2011). Living and Celebrating Life Through Leisure: A 'By Us For Us" Guide. Waterloo, Canada, University of Waterloo: MAREP.

Social challenges to leisure participation may include isolation, lack of support and changes in relationships. There are ways you can deal with social challenges to leisure participation.

• Social situations can be overwhelming and confusing, which can make you want to withdraw, avoid or isolate yourself from these situations. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, try to stay in quieter places when in social situations. Stay to the outside of the room. Try not to turn down invitations to social gatherings. Instead, think of ways you can make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable.
• Be honest and open with others about how they can support you in maintaining your valued activities
• To get the support you need, contact a local support group through the Alzheimer Society
• Stay open to new friendships
• Relationships shift and change overtime. Make sure to talk to close friends and family about how you are feeling. Make decisions together.

Source: Compiled with permission from Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP). (2011). Living and Celebrating Life Through Leisure: A 'By Us For Us" Guide. Waterloo, Canada, University of Waterloo: MAREP.

System and societal challenges include lack of accessible and affordable transportation, stigma and misunderstanding, being silenced and a lack of meaningful opportunities. These challenges can affect your participation in valued leisure activities. But there are a number of options you can consider to deal with these challenges.

• When it comes to transportation, make sure to explore your options for public transportation. You can prioritize your trips to make them cost effective, ask friends and family for help, or explore volunteer driver options in your community. Some taxis and car services in communities offer reduced rates for older adults and those living with dementia.
• Appreciate your own uniqueness and stay open to new opportunities. Look into volunteer opportunities in your community as a way to get involved.
• To avoid feelings of being silenced, make sure to take the time to put your thoughts together, speak up and remember your input is valuable
• If you feel there is a lack of meaningful opportunities in your community, speak up. Starting the conversation can be one way to open up and begin building new opportunities.

Source: Compiled with permission from Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP). (2011). Living and Celebrating Life Through Leisure: A 'By Us For Us" Guide. Waterloo, Canada, University of Waterloo: MAREP.

Below are some ways to help you participate in meaningful leisure activities.

• Be intentional. Be honest with yourself and others about your health and what works for you
• Surround yourself with positive and supportive companions. Recognize when you need support and make sure to talk to family and friends about the support you need. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good.
• Be open to new experiences. Consider different options to your valued leisure activities for variety.
• Be an advocate for yourself and the respect and dignity you deserve. Feel like you can make a difference and do not undervalue the difference you can make. Keep up to date with supportive technology like computers programs, helpful websites, virtual communities and technological aids.
• Celebrate your accomplishments

Source: Compiled with permission from Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP). (2011). Living and Celebrating Life Through Leisure: A 'By Us For Us" Guide. Waterloo, Canada, University of Waterloo: MAREP.

Below are ways others can support "me", a person living with dementia, in participating in meaningful leisure activities.

• Think broadly, be knowledgeable and open minded
• Be observant and really listen to me and ask me what is meaningful to me
• Try to understand what leisure choices I prefer and encourage my participation in these activities
• Believe in me and my potential. Encourage and support me.
• Enable me to find new ways of adapting my current leisure activities so I can continue to participate and enjoy them
• Partner with me to create programs made specifically for me

Source: Compiled with permission from Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP). (2011). Living and Celebrating Life Through Leisure: A 'By Us For Us" Guide. Waterloo, Canada, University of Waterloo: MAREP.