Activities for Seniors with Dementia
“Engagement is a key part of dementia care and can improve your loved one’s quality of life.”
— Shadi Gholizadeh, PhD, MPH, Director of Memory Care at TheKey.
At Canterfield, our Memory Care Communities engage in many sensory and creative activities several days a week. These activities build confidence and connection, bolster cognitive health, and enhance the joy and purpose a senior feels in their daily lives.
What activities are best for seniors with dementia?
A study in Gerontologist found which activities work best for different dementia levels, as well as how long engagement can be expected:
Mild dementia — fairly complex arts and crafts projects as well as activities like concentration card games that focus on cognitive activities | 30 minutes
Moderate dementia — music and entertainment activities | 25 minutes
Severe dementia — simple physical exercises and sensory or sorting activities | 15 minutes
What are examples of some of these activities and exercises?
Creative Activities: simple musical instruments, painting and drawing, building with clay, collage, gardening
Concentration Games & Activities: Solitaire, BlackJack, Rummy, Battleship, GuessWho?, reading, baking
Reminiscent Activities: classic movies, photo albums, old music
Fulfilling Activities: untying loose knots, puzzles, folding laundry, short walks, massages
Technology Based: tablet games and puzzles, exploring on Google Earth, assisted video calls
Take cues from your loved one.
It’s important to have a wealth of knowledge about your loved one’s past interests and hobbies. This will help you in choosing what activities will be best for them! You can even ask them what they’re in the mood for.
Be patient.
The activity doesn’t need to be done well for it to be enjoyable. And if it doesn’t work, try something else. It’s important to be patient and open-minded.
More activity ideas here:
It takes a lot of patience + energy to care for a senior with dementia. If you are considering Memory Care, Canterfield will be happy to guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have. Contact the nearest community to you via email or phone.
