Dementia refers to a range of brain diseases that impact a person’s memory and their ability to think clearly and manage daily activities. For years, it was widely assumed that dementia drastically diminished the quality of life of those affected, but this is simply not true. While a dementia diagnosis does come with its challenges, it doesn’t mean your loved ones have to give up the things they enjoy.

Seniors living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can still participate in meaningful activities that bring them joy and a sense of purpose. By engaging in tasks suited to their abilities, they can express themselves emotionally, recall cherished memories, and strengthen bonds with loved ones. These activities not only provide fulfillment but also create opportunities for connection and emotional well-being.

Engaging seniors with dementia in enjoyable activities can be a meaningful way to help them feel connected and fulfilled. However, it’s essential to select activities that are both safe and suited to their abilities to prevent frustration. In this guide, we explore some of the most effective and heartwarming activities you can share with your senior loved ones at home, fostering a sense of productivity and strengthening bonds with family members.

The Importance of Involving Loved Ones with Dementia

Involving your senior loved ones with dementia in fun and engaging activities is highly beneficial for their overall well-being. Activities can help stimulate their minds and maintain cognitive function, reduce feelings of loneliness, and improve their self-esteem by giving them feelings of belonging and purpose.

The following are the benefits of involving seniors with dementia in fun activities:

• Mental stimulation: Activities like games and puzzles are mentally stimulating and involve problem solving skills that can help them maintain cognitive function. Certain activities may also stimulate old memories.
• Improved mood: Engaging in activities with loved ones can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and improve the mood for dementia patients.
• Social interaction: Interacting with family while engaging in activities helps reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• Sense of purpose: Engaging in activities helps dementia patients feel productive and gives them a sense of purpose.
• Improved physical health: Physical activities like taking a walk, dancing, and gardening help improve strength and balance which can reduce the risk of falls.
• Self-expression: Creative activities like arts and crafts allow dementia patients to express themselves.

Dementia Friendly Activities for Seniors

You can engage your senior loved ones with dementia in a wide range of activities from simple chores that give them purpose to fun activities that strengthen their bonds with loved ones. The following are dementia-friendly activities for seniors:

1. Folding Towels

Folding laundry is one of the simplest and safest activities you can share with an elderly parent. Towels are easy to fold and require just a single, repetitive motion. This consistency helps create a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. To ensure comfort, opt for soft, delicate materials, as rough or sharp edges can cause irritation or discomfort.

2. Listening to Music

Music is one of the greatest activities for dementia care. While singing and dancing, they can express their feelings, verbally and non-verbally. Soft or classical music is recommended because sometimes having a loud noise can be troublesome for them. Listening to old favorites can also help them recall memories from their past.

3. Creating a Memory Box

Memory boxes are treasured mementos that can help them recall memories from their past and reconnect with their identity. This can be filled with photographs, letters, and objects from their hobbies and work. While going through this box, they can share their stories about their life which will give them a sense of belonging, self-worth, and being heard.

4. Painting and Sketching

For seniors with dementia, art projects can be fun. It’s an activity that can reduce their stress, stimulate sensory perception, boost mood, and improve behavior. You can let them invest their time in coloring the books, DIY crafts, or just allow them paint on a blank canvas using their imagination.

5. Gardening

Gardening is often considered a perfect activity for retirees, and it’s especially beneficial for seniors coping with dementia. It encourages meaningful social interaction, providing opportunities to connect with others who share similar interests. A simple way to get started is by gifting your loved one a small pot and some seeds, allowing them to plant and water their garden each day. Embrace the messiness of the activity and let them enjoy the therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors in the sunlight.

6. Solving a Puzzle

Research highlights the importance of mentally stimulating activities in fostering cognitive development and enhancing thought processes. Puzzles, a classic choice, not only keep individuals engaged but also provide entertainment as they work towards solving challenges. For seniors with dementia, other recommended games include Bingo, crosswords, trivia, Sudoku, chess, and Uno, each offering a fun and interactive way to stimulate the mind.

7. Watching an Old Movie or Show

Watching old movies and TV shows is beneficial for seniors with dementia because the familiar shows will bring them comfort and uncover old memories. Arrange movie nights that involve the whole family to watch so of your loved ones’ old favorites. This not only gives them a chance to reminisce and get enjoyment out of watching their favorite shows and movies, but also bond with younger generations of their family.

8. Cooking

Cooking can be a therapeutic activity for seniors with dementia and give them a sense of purpose. Invite them to help you with the cooking and be sure to give them manageable tasks such as pouring ingredients and stirring food. Avoid giving them tasks that could be dangerous such as cutting or taking things out of the oven, and do not leave them alone in the kitchen.

9. Look Through Old Photo Albums

Flipping through old family photo albums is an excellent activity for seniors with dementia as seeing old familiar faces can help them recall old memories and reminisce about family members from past generations, like their parents, aunts, and uncles. Involving younger generations of your family in this activity gives them a chance to learn about family members they never met and strengthen their bonds with your senior loved ones.

10. Set Up a Tablet for Your Loved Ones

Personalize a tablet for your senior loved ones to use that includes pictures and videos of family members, online games and puzzles, and a way to video call and chat with them. These activities can keep them mentally engaged and occupied if they become restless. Make sure that their tablet is set up so it can be easily navigated.

11. Untying Knots

Buy a few pieces of rope and tie them into slightly loose knots. Then, invite your loved one to untie them. This activity is both engaging and meaningful for seniors, as it encourages problem-solving and improves focus. You can adjust the number of knots, or their tightness based on their abilities and endurance, making it as challenging or simple as needed.

12. Sorting Socks

Matching socks is an engaging and enjoyable sensory activity, perfect for individuals with dementia. Gather a variety of socks with unique patterns and encourage them to pair them up. This simple yet effective task is often met with enthusiasm, as it provides both stimulation and a sense of accomplishment. Be sure to supervise and offer assistance as needed to ensure the activity remains enjoyable and stress-free. To expand on this idea, consider introducing other pairing and sorting activities, such as matching colorful pins, patterned cards, or even screws.

13. Tai Chi

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art, is widely regarded as a beneficial practice for improving cognitive function in seniors with dementia. This gentle mind-body exercise not only reduces the risk of falls but also enhances mood and alleviates irritability in patients. Performed at a slow, deliberate pace, Tai Chi places minimal strain on the joints, making it an ideal activity for older adults seeking both physical and mental well-being.

14. Cutting Coupons

Your mailbox is likely overflowing with newspapers and coupon books. Gather these along with a pair of scissors and invite your loved ones to join you in cutting and organizing the coupons. As you work together, share how valuable these coupons are to you and let them know they’re welcome to use them for their own needs as well. This simple activity not only creates a sense of connection but also leaves everyone feeling valued, helpful, and accomplished.

15. Reading and Audio Books

You can help stimulate the minds of seniors with dementia by encouraging them to read books, magazines, or newspapers. If they have trouble reading, they can listen to audio books. Reading or listening to books can engage their minds and help improve their language skills, and choosing one of their old favorites can also recall old memories.

Tips to Consider While Performing the Above Memory Care Activities

• If your elderly loved one is not enjoying any activity, try something else. It is not necessary to complete each activity or make them feel forced to do the activity.
• Do not perform all the activities at one time, take it slow and be patient.
• Monitoring is required when your loved one is performing any kind of activity but do not make them feel that they are overly dependent on you or that they cannot do anything without you.
• Allow them to be creative and live in the moment.

Dementia Care from Assisting Hands Home Care

Caring for a loved one with dementia is a journey filled with both challenges and opportunities for connection. By engaging them in thoughtful, meaningful activities tailored to their abilities and interests, you can help them maintain a sense of purpose, express themselves, and enjoy moments of joy and clarity. Whether it’s folding towels, listening to music, gardening, or simply watching an old favorite movie together, these shared experiences can make a world of difference in their emotional and mental well-being. The key is patience, compassion, and a willingness to meet them where they are, because even the smallest activity can spark a meaningful moment and strengthen the bond between you and your loved one.

In addition to involving your senior loved ones with dementia in engaging activities, you must also ensure that they get the care they need to ensure their safety and well-being. Home care is usually the best option for dementia patients because it allows them to receive care in a familiar environment. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we provide Alzheimer’s and dementia care to ensure that your loved ones receive the proper care and assistance they need to live safely at home.

Our caregivers have experience caring for those with dementia and take a positive, compassionate approach to help stabilize their mood and ensure their comfort. We can help them stay safe when they wander and react to feelings of confusion and agitation with positive reinforcement. We will also engage them in fun, stimulating activities like those mentioned above.

You can call Assisting Hands Home Care at (725) 696-9942 to learn more about the Alzheimer’s and dementia care services we offer in Las Vegas, NV area.