10 Group Activities for Dementia Patients

group activities for dementia patients

It is of utmost importance that persons with dementia engage in meaningful group activities for dementia patients.

Persons living with the illness often withdraw from things they enjoy and they also avoid interactions with people they love.

This often leads to a myriad of health complications like depression, anxiety, anger, and so many more.

However, when suffering people take part in the various activities they enjoy, it can help to enhance the quality of life.

Such activities have been known to boost self-esteem, reduce challenging behaviors, offer structure, and slow down decline among many other benefits.

Below, you will find suggestions for group activities for dementia patients that your loved ones can have a blast with.

Best Group Activities for Dementia Patients

1. Painting

painting
Painting or art therapy is one of the creative activities that people with dementia can engage in as a group. This is not only fun, but it helps affected persons to express themselves and create dialogue through art.

The brain-stimulating activity taps into the imagination of the person with the paintbrush allowing them to feel a stronger connection with the world around them.

2. Music Sing-Alongs

music sing alongs
While listening to music can make a great idea for group activities for dementia patients, organizing sing-alongs takes this a notch higher.

Pick a popular song with the help of the group members and play it at low volume, then have everyone join in. It is usually best to work with classic tunes and songs so that you can pick options that resonate with the seniors.

You can also print out the lyrics which can be easily found online so that no one is left out when the fun begins.

If possible, you can also organize karaoke’s where people just get lost in the music for a while.

3. Gardening

gardening
People who love nature and the outdoors will have a blast with this activity. Look for a small area where the group can plant some seeds of something that will grow fast.

The beauty of this is that it is an on-going activity as they water the seeds, remove weeds, and watch as the plants grow. Be sure to identify the interests of individuals.

While some may enjoy playing around with the soil, others may only want to participate in activities like preparing vegetables, harvesting, or arranging flowers.

Another excellent alternative is a therapeutic indoor garden, which can be realized pretty much everywhere, as it does not need to take too much space.

4. Reminiscence Activities

reminiscence activities
It is wise to include a couple of reminiscence activities when planning group activities for dementia patients. This may involve working with memory boxes or story work.

Persons who spend time on such activities can benefit from better moods and well-being. Memory boxes can help friends and relatives stay connected by triggering some forgotten memories; hence, enhancing social inclusion.

As you conduct these activities, remember that you must show genuine interest in what the weak individual is telling you so that they can feel like you value and appreciate their input.

5. Physical Exercise

physical exercise for dementia is important
Working out as a group has always been a fun idea. People with dementia mustn’t sleep or sit around all day especially if they are not bed-ridden. Exercise offers multiple benefits among them better blood flow, managing weight, and regulating sleep and restlessness.

t has also been known to improve moods and keep depression at bay. Physical exercise needs not be too strenuous. It can be anything from taking a walk in the park, yoga, or water aerobics.

Remember that persons with dementia should only take part in physical activities that their bodies can handle with ease.

6. Sorting

sorting
When looking for purposeful group activities for dementia patients, sorting is an excellent choice. This is where you get a group to try and put things in the proper place.

There are plenty of items that can help with this activity.

One of them is socks.

You can give the group different pairs of socks and ask them to sort them in colors.

Colored dominoes, spoons, colored plastic cups, and large nuts and bolts are other prop ideas.

7. Cooking

dementia patients cooking
Allowing a group of persons with dementia to follow a simple recipe can offer them immense joy. This is an activity that you have to supervise all through to avoid any accidents in the kitchen.

Make sure you keep sharp things away so that the group has the space they need to do their magic in the kitchen.

The group can bake cookies or make a simple meal.

The best thing about cooking is that they get to enjoy the products they make.

8. Putting Together a Puzzle

putting together a puzzle
It is not right to mention group activities for dementia patients without including puzzles. It is a perfect in-door activity that also helps to exercise the brain.

This stimulates the right side of the brain responsible for intuitive thought and creativity as well as the left side that handles order and logic.

Be careful when choosing the puzzles so that you do not get one that will end up frustrating the participants.

Look for simple ones preferably with large pieces that they can complete without too much trouble.

9. Reading Aloud

reading aloud
Reading can also be a comforting activity for a group of people who has dementia. There can be one book that they pass around reading to each other.

Alternatively, each one can have one with a short story that they can narrate to their friends.

As time goes by, you may have to invest in picture books or tapes of books as reading becomes difficult for people with the illness. Reading to the group can also offer much-needed comfort.

10. Crafts

crafts are a group activities for dementia patients
Engaging in crafts is another therapeutic option in regards to group activities for dementia patients. There are different ideas you can work with here. One of them includes playing with dough to see who can create the most life-like characters or objects.

Another is to create a scrapbook where the elderly cut out pictures from magazines, newspapers, and catalogs and stick them on the book.

The group can also have a blast with magnetic letters as they match different colors and shapes. Stacking party paper cups is another simple craft persons with dementia can try.

Final Thoughts – Group Activities for Dementia Patients

Dementia patients gain great benefit from group activities as these activities boost cognitive function, fostering social connections, and improving overall well-being.

Such activities, ranging from art therapy to reminiscence sessions, offer people with dementia moments of joy and fulfillment.

They also provide a supportive environment that respects the dignity of people with this condition.

By group activities for dementia patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals can enhance the quality of care provided, leading to a more compassionate and fulfilling experience for everyone.

Check out our article on Day Trips For Elderly With Dementia.

Also, 15 Fun and Exciting Dementia Activities.

How Do You Make A Dementia Patient Happy?

how do you make a dementia patient happy

Getting a positive dementia diagnosis can take a toll on a person which is why it is important for caregivers to identify ways to make a dementia patient happy.

Dementia describes a group of symptoms that are associated with a progressive decline of abilities of the brain.

The illness negatively affects many aspects of a person’s life including intellect, memory, insight, language, and social skills amongst others.

Different Activities to Cheer Up Someone with Dementia

To help persons with the disease cope with the changes that are happening in their lives, there are several tips you can work with to MAKE THEM HAPPY such as:

Including them in Social Activities

identify ways to make a dementia patient happy
One of the ways to make a dementia patient happy is to identify ways in which they can have fun.

This includes planning creative activities, games, and social activities that they can enjoy.

When picking an activity, it is important to ensure that it is something that the person with dementia likes and can comfortably do.

Focus on feeling good now

Keep in mind that the idea is to have a good time without putting any pressure on the ill person.

Additionally, the chosen activity must not be too HARD or too SIMPLE.

If a person forgets the rules or makes mistakes when playing games, the carer should just let them be.

Most importantly, do not insist that the individual takes part in activities that they are not interested in.

The activities should only take place if a person is showing interest and enjoying them. Some activities to consider include:

  • Simple games such as staking colored rings
  • Painting and using crayons
  • Playing games like snakes and ladders, and Ludo
  • Antakshari

When it comes to social outings, a person with dementia may enjoy exposure to a new environment from what they are used to.

Caregivers must be very selective with the outings to avoid overstimulation, crowds, noise pollution, and constant movement.

Maintaining Strong Relationships

maintaining strong relationships
Many people with dementia will experience loneliness and social withdrawal which can make them sad.

To make them happy, their loved ones need to try and maintain STRONG BONDS so that they can feel like they belong even with everything that is happening in their lives.

This includes planning to spend quality time with the person who has dementia.

If a person still lives at home, their loved ones should visit as often as they can.

It is advisable for relatives and friends to liaise with the primary caregivers on the activities to take part in that will bring joy and laugher to the affected individuals.

Family members and friend should not forget them

At some point in the disease, a person who has dementia may have to move to a care facility.

Family members should not forget them in these new living spaces.

They should organize visits so that they can spend time with the suffering person at the facility. It helps a person feel loved and supported.

Relatives and friends should also familiarize themselves with the disease and know the changes to expect from the person in the various stages of the illness.

This gives loved ones a chance to act appropriately when they are around individuals with the disease to offer much-needed support rather than stressing them out.

During the visits, relatives and friends can bring along children, pets, photographs, letters, videos, or other items that are bound to create a pleasant experience for the individual.

Maximizing Comfort

maximizing comfort
Another suggestion on how to make a dementia patient happy is by making sure that they are as comfortable as possible at all times.

This includes ensuring that a person is not suffering from pain that may be causing a lot of discomforts.

There are times when a person with dementia CANNOT communicate properly to let caregivers know that they are in pain.

Are they in pain?

It is, therefore, the responsibility of the carers to keep an eye on them to know if anything has changed.

It is also important for the weak person to visit a doctor often.

The professionals can tell if they are having any medical conditions or pain they can treat or manage to increase the comfort levels of the person with dementia.

Maximizing comfort also has a lot to do with making sure that the areas where a person sleeps and spends most of their days are safe and comfortable.

Remove anything that can cause the person to trip and fall.

The spaces should also be kept neat and uncluttered.

Some home renovations like installing handrails in the shower may also be a welcome change.

Installation of alarms and heat sensors may enhance safety in case of emergencies.

Staying Physically Active

staying physically active
Encouraging a person with dementia to stay physically active is another step towards making a dementia patient happy.

Working out results in improved circulation, endurance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.

Additional BENEFITS of exercise include:

  • Better sleep
  • Improved mood
  • Decreased likelihood of constipation
  • Reducing the risk of falls because of enhanced balance and strength
  • Maintenance of motor skills
  • Better memory
  • Reduced rate of mental decline associated with dementia
  • Improved social and communication skills
  • Getting a sense of accomplishment
  • Improved behavior like reduced swearing, acting aggressively, and wandering

Working out also prompts the body to RELEASE ENDORPHINS that are known to trigger positive feelings in the body.

Exercise does not have to be strenuous but something fun and enjoyable.

It can be as simple as taking a walk, engaging in sit-to-stand exercises, dancing, yoga, stretching, or light household chores depending on a person’s ability.

Effective Communication

effective communication
Over time, dementia will affect the way a person communicates.

Caregivers should therefore learn how to communicate effectively with a ill person as one of the ways to make a dementia patient happy.

Being Rude, Condescending, or Aggressive will just not cut it.

This can make the person with the illness feel like they are being talked down to something that can bring up unwarranted behavior or responses.

It is best to speak slowly and clearly using short sentences. The tone used should always be calm, friendly, and positive.

Remember to give the affected individual enough time to respond.

Making EYE CONTACT when speaking can also be helpful.

Avoid creating complicated choices because persons with dementia respond to simple options.

Other ways of communication can also help when dealing with an individual with the progressive illness.

These include a gentle reassuring touch, gestures, facial expressions, and movement that can convey a message.

Closing Thoughts

When trying to figure out ways to make a dementia patient happy, it is IMPORTANT to understand that the disease does not everyone in the same manner.

This means that what makes a person happy may not work for the next.

Caregivers should therefore get to know the person they are working with to come up with the best plans that will keep them happy and safe as they move from one stage of the illness to the next.

Cognitive and Physical Exercise and Dementia

exercise and dementia

Today, we will look at the best cognitive and physical exercise and dementia correlation, and how you can reduce the risk of the disease.

Developing dementia is one of the biggest concerns for the majority of people as they grow older.

The thought of getting the disease can be quite scary, especially for someone who has seen a loved one affected by the illness.

Benefits of Cognitive and Physical Activity for Dementia

Many individuals believe that all they can do is wait for a pharmaceutical cure for dementia and hope that they do not join the growing list of seniors with the disease.

Promising research, however, indicates that it is possible to reduce the risk of dementia through several effective yet simple lifestyle adjustments.

These include taking steps such as stress management, a healthy diet, quality sleep, social engagement, mental stimulation, and regular exercise.

By identifying and then controlling personal risk factors, it is possible to prolong/ maximize lifelong brain health.

Below we will focus on physical and cognitive exercise and the role they play in mitigating or slowing down the progression of dementia.

Cognitive Exercise

cognitive exercise
In regards to cognitive exercise and dementia, it is worth noting that continuously challenging the brain and learning new things puts you at less risk of developing dementia.

What this means is that you “will lose it if you do not use it.” Keeping the mind active is essential if you do not want your thinking capacity to decline medical research discloses.

This can help you in several ways, such as:

1. Reduce brain cell damage that occurs with dementia
2. Encourage better communication between the nerve cells
3. Support the growth of new nerve cells

Note that no single exercise will keep the brain sharp. You need to indulge in different exercises that will ensure your brain remains in the highest gear.

Some of the exercises you can try out to exercise your brain include:

Acquiring a new skill

acquiring a new skill
Learning how to play a musical instrument, studying a foreign language, reading a good book, or learning how to paint, etc. can be instrumental in helping the brain remain in tip-top condition.

Look around for classes you can join and set aside some time to practice regularly.

Keep in mind that the higher the challenge, novelty, or complexity, the greater the benefit.

Playing card or board games

playing card or board games
Playing games with loved ones has two benefits.

One is that you get an opportunity to bond and the other is that it helps the brain to stay sharper by making it work harder.

In as much as games like chess are fun to play, some research shows that it can lead to better math scores on various standardized tests.

Games like monopoly have also proven to enhance decision-making skills while sharpening cognitive function.

Puzzles are a great way to keep your recalling abilities high. These effects also help to keep dementia at bay.

Practice memorization and the 5Ws

exercise and dementia practice memorization and the 5Ws
When you start memorization, it is best to practice with something short before moving on to more complex things.

For instance, you can always start with the US capital states or books of the Bible, etc.

Creating patterns and rhymes can help to make memory connections stronger

When you are watching TV shows that may involve themes like crimes or feature detective, you can keep the brain active by thinking of the “Who, Why, When, Where, and What.”

When you capture these visual details repeatedly, you will keep the brain neurons firing.

Playing with children

playing with children
This is another excellent option everyone should be aware of when curious about exercise and dementia.

The young ones have vivid and rich imaginations that directly link to memories.

When a person spends time playing with kids, you join their interesting world. This is typically a world full of unusual details the brain needs to keep remembering.

Doctors also note that adults who take time to play with kids have low-stress levels.

Additionally, heart rate, blood pressure, and high cortisol levels can drastically reduce.

Staying in good moods for longer periods helps to preserve the brain as well as its higher functions.

Read books with problem-solving mysteries

read books with problem solving mysteries
Problem solving is one of the proven ways to exercise your brain. One of the easiest ways you can do this is by solving puzzling mysteries.

You can find these online or in books. Try and tackle at least one mystery every day.

This will baffle the mind forcing you to think deeply so that you can come up with a solution. It is an entertaining way of getting the brain to work.

Gardening

gardening
If you are a person who likes to connect with nature while tending to plants, gardening should be on your list of keeping the brain sharper.

Many people not only feel better, but they also do better after gardening sessions.

Experts suspect that exposure to natural light, touching the earth, getting into contact with soil probiotics, and satisfaction of seeing things grow helps to enhance brain function and mood.

Listening to soothing music

listening to soothing music
Playing music also falls into the category of group activities to be discussed when tackling the topic of exercise and dementia. Good music tames and soothes.

Research shows that listening to Mozart can help make babies smarter.

Musicians are also said to have a lower risk of developing dementia than the rest of the people.

Music is a combination of breath control, exercise, dexterity, memory games, science, math, art, listening feelings, and a lot more.

Although more research still needs to be done, it is possible that music therapy can help combat dementia. It is not all types of music, though.

Genres like jazz, ethnic, and classical offer the most benefit.

Physical Exercise

physical exercise
The other part to highlight when talking about exercise and dementia is the physical aspect.

You cannot dispute the fact that people who exercise frequently are healthier, make better food decisions and retain their mental health longer than the people who do not exercise.

Although exercise will not work on the brain directly, it positively affects levels of blood oxygen, hormones, and the nutrient load that flows in the body.

When you have better control of your body, it benefits the brain because it receives adequate levels of blood, nutrients, and oxygen.

Aerobic exercises especially help to improve memory and thinking because they help to increase heart rate.

Staying physically active has also been known to increase flexibility, strength, and also improve the quality of sleep.

This is a move that can help to reduce the development of dementia. When you exercise daily or several times a week for about 30-60 minutes, you may:

1. Keep learning, reasoning, and thinking skills sharper.
2. Delay the onset of dementia for individuals who are at risk of developing the disease or slow down the advancement of the illness.
3. Enhance judgment, reasoning, memory, and thinking skills for persons who have mild cognitive impairment.

To benefit from physical exercise, it is important to identify safe and enjoyable activities for a person’s ability level.

Some of the ideas you can borrow from include:

Walking

walking
This is one of the best exercises that a person can take part in. You do not even have to be outdoors to enjoy a great walk. An individual can decide that walking inside their house does them justice.

Regardless of the amount of time you take engaging in this activity, it is beneficial for the mind and body.

To make walking more pleasant, you can combine it with an errand such as rushing to the grocery store or walking your pet.

Dancing

dancing
If you enjoy dancing, you will not even feel as though you are engaging in exercise.

Dancing is a fun way to let loose and get the body moving a great addition to the things you need to do when discussing exercise and dementia.

You can opt to do this freestyle. This is where you switch on the music and burst your favorite move.

You can even get together with a couple of friends and head to the disco if this is something you will enjoy.

Alternatively, take things a notch higher and sign up for a professional dance class. The goal is to have a blast while doing some good for your entire body.

Weight or resistance training

weight or resistance training
This is where you work out muscles against an external force. This type of exercise offers multiple benefits.

These include increased flexibility, bone density, tendon, muscle, and ligament strength, improving posture, and metabolic rate.

Yoga

yoga
Although yoga cannot be described exclusively as a physical exercise, it is important to mention it as the activities to try when thinking about exercise and dementia.

Experts advise that you combine yoga and medication for the best results. This can help to improve focus, de-stress, reduce anxiety, enhance mood, and increase healing among many other benefits.

Although it is still difficult to understand specialists explain that a meditating brain is different from the awake brain.

Studies are underway to help people grasp this concept more.

Regular physical and cognitive exercise is crucial for everyone to stay mentally and physically fit.

This is despite the fact that extensive research needs to be conducted to show the degree of physical and cognitive exercise that helps to improve memory or slow down the advancement of cognitive decline.

15 Fun And Exciting Dementia Activities 2023

dementia activities

With simple, fun, exciting and stimulating dementia activities, you can help reduce stress, anxiety and the development of depression.

Not only that, if a person with dementia feels scared all the time or is in anger, keeping them engaged in different activities and exercise can relieve the condition.

Besides, and most importantly, with daily movements and motions, you can also help them slower the process of going from one stage of dementia to another.

Activities and exercise not only boost mood, brain blood flow and keep one get to a better state, they also connect people.

In some cases, family and friends struggle to keep the synergy with the person with dementia, and introducing different activities might help remarkably well.

With different dementia activities, you can also help bring back memories. For instance, if they really liked to cook or bake, you can have a lot of fun with them in the kitchen.

Moreover, if their hobby was painting, get a blank canvas and turn it into a masterpiece with them. The options are endless.

Easy and practical dementia activities

1. Exercise

exercise for person with dementia
Exercise has been of great benefit to people who have dementia. This dementia activity helps seniors to sleep peacefully, makes them feel energized and reduces the extent to which they can fall into depression.

As their bodies tend to be more fragile, it is best to start with exercises that take little time, perhaps five minutes. However, add a minute every day until they can comfortably exercise for 30minutes every day.

Ensure to engage in an exercise the person loves to participate. It could be cycling, aerobics, walking or dancing.

Notice: dancing is especially rewarding. Show how it is being done and ask the person to follow your steps. If it is an exercise that involves going to a class, you could try to attend the class together to motivate him/her.

2. Introduce them to physical activities

physical activities
Physical activities help seniors feel they are useful at home. Take note of their interests or ask them what they love to do. By knowing what they want, you will be able to tailor their physical activities towards what they like.

Amongst others, one dementia activity to keep seniors happily engaged is towel folding. As it is easy to do that, seniors will feel successful.

Whether they folded it to your taste or not, they would feel good knowing more at what they do. Whatever activity they want to engage in, ensure it is one that will make them feel successful.

3. Animal/doll therapy

animal therapy
This is one of the best dementia activities that has worked for a lot of seniors. If your senior loves animals, you can buy a pet they love. Over times, pets are known to relieve owners of stress and reduce anxiety.

Incorporating pet therapy will help boost serotonin, make them feel good and secure as well as lower their blood pressure.

You can also include doll therapy. Provide the senior with a doll, a cot, baby cloth, and a basin. They will feel like they have a kid who they take care of thereby giving them the needed relief.

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4. Build a memory box

build a memory box
People who have dementia tend to lose their memory and sense of judgment more than any other person. A great way to help those with dementia is by building a memory box.

The memory box is a dementia activity that can help an older adult feel connected to activities that happened in the past. Get a box and fill it with their photos and tools that remind them of their career and their hobbies.

If the senior used to be a teacher, you could fill the box with a pen, marker, books, even jotters.

5. Loosen knots

loosen knots
Older people with dementia tend to be anxious especially when they do not have an idea of what they are doing or when they are not comfortable in their immediate environment.

You can help them feel relaxed by giving them a task that requires their patience. Telling them to untie a knot is a great dementia activity to help them manage their situation.

Get a long thick rope from your local store, tie a few knots and give it to your older adult to loosen.

Tell them to take their time with it rather than struggle to finish up. You can help by showing your older adult how the task can be calmly solved.

6. Create a picture puzzle

create a picture puzzle
Get a favorite family picture that includes every member of the family. Ensure it is a picture that your senior or older adult cherishes.

If you do not have a family picture, you can print an image of their favorite pet, favorite movie character, favorite artist or anything that calls their attention.

Laminate the picture to make it handy and cut the laminated picture into six or more puzzle shaped pieces.

Give your older adult the pieces and tell them to fix the puzzle. It is a fantastic way to help them keep a focused mind.

7. Take your older adult out

take your older adult out
Older adults get easily bored. Most of them grumble in regards to their lonely condition. Constant grumbling leads to depression. You can minimize their problems by taking them out.

Have them go out with you, take them shopping, walk around the town, take them to an amusement park or a place that will be of interest to them. Help them derive pleasure through what they see.

However, when you go out with your older adult, ensure they do not go out of sight as you may lose them. Since they might not remember anything, things may get complicated for you.

8. Let them read

let them read
Reading is a means to keep the minds of your older adult occupied. If your older adult loves to read, you can give them their favorite book and ask them to read.

You can ask them to read to people around. In a case where it seems difficult for them to read, you can read for them, as well as remind them of the focus of the book.

When you are done reading, you can ask them what they have learned. If it is a controversial topic, you can request your older adult’s opinion.

This dementia activity is a terrific way for them to be knowledgeable about a subject matter and is a better alternative to TV series.

9. Pom-Poms game

pom-poms game
A challenging game like Pom-Poms is helpful for older adults. You can make use of color cardboards for easy identification when you want to introduce this game to your older adult.

Give older adults the pom-poms and give them containers that share the same color with the pom-poms.

Afterward, instruct them to place the pom-poms in the container with the matching color. In case they are beginning to have color blindness, Pom-poms game is an excellent way of improving their ability to identify colors and differentiate them.

10. Initiate conversations

initiate conversations
It is quite common that old and lonely people keep to themselves. You can make them feel at home by initiating conversations that will be of interest to them.

It could be in sports or fashion or anything at all. Tell them what you think about the latest trend and ask for their opinion.

You can go as far as showing them YouTube videos of their favorite celebrity or club. Doing this will help them connect to their youthful days thereby boosting their mood and making them feel important.

In a case where you are unavailable, a good way to initiate and sustain conversation is by displaying insects. You can build your own home ant farm for your older adults to examine in great detail.

Ants can keep them occupied for a long time. Do not be surprised if you come back home and see them talking to the ants.

11. Music therapy

music therapy dementia activities
If you want to please your older adult, play their favorite music or popular music known to their age. Listening to music is one dementia activity that provides comfort. It can evoke emotions and help older adults regain their memories.

Introducing music therapy is one of the best ways for them to also connect with their past.

You can stay with them to listen to their favorite song together. You can also create a playlist of their favorite music genre.

Besides, you can go as far as giving them percussion instruments to play them. So, even if you are not with them, they would not feel lonely.

12. Engage them in discussions about their life

engage them in discussions about their life
While dementia causes a decrease in how the brain functions thereby creating a loss of memory, people who have dementia tend to lose information stored in their short term memory easily.

Here, you can talk to them about their lives.

It could be events that happened when they were young or a significant event that affected the life of your older adult. This act will help them talk freely and also allow you to know more about them.

It is best to get a video recorder to record whatever your older adult says. After that, you can give it to them to watch over and over again.

Older adults tend to have mood swings. So if they are not interested in what you are trying to do, leave them and try again later. Do not focus on the result but focus on the process.

Make them happy, and the result will be seen naturally.

13. Nostalgia

nostalgia
Know this, even once dementia starts progressing that does not mean that a person loses memory completely. It is the short-term memory that is affected first.

However, when it comes to long-term remembrance, a person with dementia can still recall a lot from their childhood, the time they went to high-school and even early working days.

With this in mind, getting them nostalgic about old times and reminiscing about their wedding day could be a fun and exciting dementia activity you can play at any given time of the day.

You can even create cards or read from their diary if they had one and together go back in time. Sometimes, the simplest things and exercises can have the most positive impact on a person.

14. Baking or cooking

baking or cooking
One of the easiest ways of getting a person with dementia involved in an activity is by baking or cooking delicious dishes.

Keep in mind, you do not need to go after a souffle right away. Instead, stick to simple recipes, even such that involve just one pot. Of course, it is important to know how well their motor skills are, so it does not come to injuries.

However, a simple solution would be just not to let them use a knife. They can stir soups or knead the dough, even wash vegetables, the simple tasks in the kitchen are numerous.

15. Wander through nature

wander through nature
While we already listed quite a few dementia activities here, this particular one can be one of the most rewarding ones.

Not just that, it is also one of the most simplistic. And even if the person with dementia has a hard time walking, you can put them in a wheelchair and together wander through nature.

The sights, the smells, the sounds and all just viewing nature, in general, are beneficial for the body and mind. Viewing things far away is also very good and can boost our energy almost immediately.

Even if it is a small forest that you visited hundreds of times, the next time you visit it, you might see something you have not seen before. Enjoy and feel good.

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Fidget Book for DementiaFidget Book for DementiaQuality
Helps relax
Sensory
Fidget Busy Board for Adults with DementiaFidget Busy Board for Adults with DementiaTactile sensory
Quality construction
Anxiety relief
Painting Activities for DementiaRelish Painting Activities for Seniors, Farm Memories Water Painting Toys5 vibrant images
Sparks conversations
Reusable canvas
No paint- just water
Designed for dementia
Sensory Buckle Pillow for DementiaSensory Buckle Pillow for DementiaA long activity
Eye coordination
Zips and buckles
Giant pieces jigsaw puzzles for dementia and Alzheimer's diseaseGiant pieces jigsaw puzzles for dementia and Alzheimer's disease96 pieces
16 styles
Bright colors
Reliable material
3 Pack Hexagon Wooden Puzzle for dementia3 Pack Hexagon Wooden Puzzle for dementia3 puzzles & bag
Safe & reliable
Brain teaser
Fidget blanket for dementia patientsFidget blanket for dementia patientsMulti-color
Sensory
Cozy lap blanket
Music player for dementia patientsMusic player for dementia patientsAudio books
MP3
4 GB USB
40 nostalgic hits loaded
Portable & convenient
Tech support on hand

 

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