For elderly persons with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, daily activities can become too onerous. They, like the rest of us, still want to feel successful. That’s why failure-free activities for persons with dementia are so crucial – they’ll always work out. Agitation, anxiety, despair, and rage are all reduced when you are pleasantly engaged in a gratifying task. It may potentially lessen the need for medicines by reducing problematic behaviors like sundowning. Plus, they’re either free or extremely inexpensive. Keep reading for a list of five activities for dementia patients.
Before starting any activities, remember to remove hazardous items from dementia patients’ surroundings. Sharp objects should be avoided, and only goods that are safe for your older adult should be given. Avoid string, small materials, or things that will shatter when bitten if your family members have a habit of putting things in their mouth or tying different objects together.
The Best Activity Ideas for Loved Ones with Dementia
Because each person is unique, finding activities that interest your loved one may require some trial and error or creative thinking:
- Buy an $8 Puzzle cube
This colorful puzzle cube can provide hours of stress-free entertainment for older folks who enjoy fidgeting with objects. It’s like a Rubik’s cube with fewer pieces. The goal of this game is for you to have fun turning the cube pieces and making new combinations of color on each face. Those who are able to mix the colors and return the faces to a single color may find it enjoyable.
- Create a box of fun fabrics
This is entertaining for all ages, but especially for those who previously enjoyed fabric crafts and sewing. Grab an empty cardboard box and fill it with dozens of different textiles. Obtain a range of colors and textures, such as felt, lace, velvet, silk, cotton, wool, and so on. Sorting, touching, and folding the fabrics will be enjoyable for your loved ones.
- Buy large print playing cards
Older folks will enjoy playing cards, especially if the numbers and letters are easy to read and large in size. Quick-to-learn card games like go fish, blackjack, war, or solitaire may appeal to someone with early dementia. A family member in their latter years might enjoy shuffling the cards or arranging them by suit or color. Pay attention to how much fun they’re having. If they appear overwhelmed or frustrated, take some of the cards away so they don’t have to deal with as many.
- Fold towels
Engaging your loved ones in folding laundry with you is a terrific way to keep them occupied, offer them a worthwhile occupation and make them feel like they’re contributing to the household. The only purpose is to keep them blissfully occupied. Hand towels are ideal because they are tiny and easy to fold. The point is for them to feel good about the exercise, regardless of how beautifully or horribly the towels are folded.
Join a Dementia-Friendly Living Community
At Discovery Village At Stuart, we offer our residents the SHINE® Memory Care program, which is specifically tailored to keep dementia patients actively engaged. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association®, which is the nation’s premier voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care and research, has awarded it a National Certificate of Recognition. Please get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more!
