What activities can you do with someone with dementia? A comprehensive guide for caregivers

According to the Alzheimer's Association, engaging in meaningful activities can improve mood and reduce anxiety for people with dementia. When considering what activities can you do with someone with dementia?, the key is to focus on personal interests and remaining abilities to foster connection and a sense of purpose.

Quick Summary

Tailored activities for people with dementia are vital for maintaining well-being, slowing cognitive decline, and strengthening connections. Effective engagement requires adapting tasks to their stage of dementia, focusing on sensory, creative, physical, and reminiscence-based pursuits that prioritize process over perfect results.

Key Points

• Prioritize Personal Interests: Tailor activities to the individual's history, hobbies, and past passions for maximum engagement.

• Adapt to Their Stage: Simplify tasks as dementia progresses, moving from cognitive stimulation to more sensory-based comfort.

• Embrace the Process: Focus on the joy of participation and connection rather than the final outcome or perfection of the task.

• Engage Multiple Senses: Use music, aromatherapy, and textured objects to stimulate senses and evoke positive emotional responses.

• Ensure Safety and Comfort: Plan activities for a time of day when the individual is at their best, and ensure the environment is safe and familiar.

• Be Patient and Flexible: If an activity causes frustration, gently redirect or take a break. Never force engagement.

Understanding the Importance of Meaningful Engagement

For individuals with dementia, maintaining engagement is crucial for a fulfilling quality of life. Activities provide more than just a way to pass the time; they offer emotional comfort, cognitive stimulation, and a sense of purpose. Carefully chosen activities can reduce agitation, lessen anxiety, and foster meaningful interaction between a person with dementia and their caregiver or family. The goal isn't to achieve perfection, but rather to enjoy the process and the shared experience.

General Principles for Planning Activities

Successful engagement strategies are built on a few core principles:

• Prioritize Past Interests: Think about the individual's former hobbies, work, and passions. A lifelong gardener might enjoy tending to a few potted plants, while a former office worker may find comfort in sorting papers or counting coins.
• Keep it Simple: Activities should be broken down into small, manageable steps to prevent frustration. Offer one instruction at a time and allow plenty of time for completion.
• Adjust to Ability: As dementia progresses, capabilities change. An activity that was once engaging might become too difficult. Remain flexible and be prepared to adapt or try something new.
• Focus on the Senses: Many people with dementia respond well to sensory stimulation. Engage sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to create a calming or uplifting experience.

Activities for Different Stages of Dementia

Activities can be adapted to suit the individual's cognitive and physical capabilities as the disease progresses.

Early Stage Dementia

In the early stages, cognitive abilities are often still strong, and individuals can participate in more complex tasks. Activities can include:

• Cognitive Stimulation: Playing card games like Uno, working on jigsaw puzzles, or engaging with memory-based apps on a tablet.
• Social Activities: Attending social clubs, joining walking groups, or dining out at a favorite restaurant during off-peak hours.
• Creative Pursuits: Painting, drawing, writing, or cooking favorite recipes with minimal assistance.

Middle Stage Dementia

As dementia progresses, focus on simpler, more repetitive tasks that evoke a sense of familiarity and purpose.

• Household Tasks: Simple chores like folding laundry, sorting socks, or sweeping the porch can feel familiar and useful.
• Music and Reminiscence: Listening to favorite music, singing along, or looking through photo albums together can spark memories and improve mood.
• Gardening: Potting seeds indoors, watering plants, or tending to a simple window box offers a connection to nature.

Late Stage Dementia

In the later stages, engagement often shifts to providing comfort and sensory enjoyment rather than task completion.

• Sensory Stimulation: Give a gentle hand massage with scented lotion, listen to calming music, or offer items with different textures to touch.
• Gentle Movement: Gentle, seated stretches or simple hand-and-foot exercises can help maintain mobility.
• Pet Therapy: Stroking a gentle, calm animal can be incredibly soothing and provide a connection.

A Comparison of Activity Types

Activity Type	Early Stage	Late Stage	Core Benefit
Creative Arts	Painting, drawing, complex crafts	Adult coloring books, tactile free-style art	Self-expression, mood enhancement
Reminiscence	Creating scrapbooks, writing memoirs	Flipping through photo albums, watching home videos	Connection to past identity, mood boost
Physical	Walking, dancing, light gardening	Gentle chair exercises, scarf dancing, hand-and-foot movements	Mobility, restlessness reduction, mood
Sensory	Enjoying favorite foods, listening to music	Aromatherapy, hand massage, textured object play	Comfort, relaxation, reduced agitation
Household	Cooking a meal together, setting the table	Sorting laundry, wiping tables	Sense of purpose, routine

Practical Tips for Caregivers

• Create a Safe Environment: Remove hazards and ensure good lighting, especially for outdoor activities or exercises.
• Choose the Right Time: Plan activities for the time of day when the person is typically most alert and in a good mood.
• Manage Frustration: If the individual becomes frustrated, gently redirect their attention or suggest a break. Never force an activity.
• Embrace Imperfection: The finished product is not the point. The value comes from the engagement and the feeling of accomplishment.
• Encourage Independence: Allow the person to do as much as they can on their own. Step in only when necessary to offer support, not to take over.
• Seek Support: Remember that you are not alone. Caregivers can find support through online forums or local support groups. The Alzheimer's Association offers valuable resources and guidance for caregivers.

Conclusion

Finding the right activities to do with someone with dementia is a deeply personal and evolving process. By observing their reactions, understanding their history, and adapting your approach with patience and compassion, you can create meaningful moments of connection. The time spent together is a gift, and focusing on the simple joys that remain can enrich both your lives. These activities can help manage symptoms, reduce behavioral challenges, and provide a greater sense of well-being for your loved one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start an activity with a person who has dementia?

To begin, approach them calmly and make eye contact. Present the idea in a simple, straightforward way, and have the materials ready. For example, instead of asking, 'Do you want to draw?', you could say, 'Let's draw together,' while placing paper and pencils on the table.

What if they get frustrated with an activity?

If they show signs of frustration, gently change the subject or the activity. It's best to stop before agitation escalates. The goal is enjoyment, not completion. You can always try again another time or in a different way.

Are there activities that help with sundowning or evening restlessness?

Yes, for evening restlessness, try calming, sensory-focused activities. Listening to familiar, soothing music, giving a hand massage, or looking at a photo album can provide comfort. Avoid stimulating activities and caffeine later in the day.

How can I involve a person with advanced dementia in activities?

With advanced dementia, focus on simple sensory experiences. Gentle hand massage, listening to music from their past, watching home videos, or simply holding hands and talking can be powerful ways to connect. Tactile activities, like handling soft blankets, can also be soothing.

Can household chores be considered activities for dementia?

Absolutely. Simple, repetitive household tasks like folding laundry, sorting silverware, or watering houseplants can provide a comforting sense of routine and purpose. The key is to make them feel useful and valued, not pressured to do it perfectly.

What kind of creative activities work best?

Music is often very effective, as musical memories are often retained. Try painting, drawing, or using adult coloring books. Focus on the creative expression itself, not the finished artwork. This helps foster a sense of freedom and accomplishment.

How do you know what interests them now?

Observe their reactions to different stimuli. Notice what brings a smile, a laugh, or a moment of calm. Reflect on their past life and use that as a starting point, but always be open to new or adapted interests that emerge. Flexibility is essential.