10 Memory Care Activities That Keep Older Adults With Dementia Engaged
Everyone likes to feel productive. Keeping your loved one with dementia engaged helps maintain their life quality and can be fun for all involved. While finding the right activities can sometimes be challenging, it’s easier if you consider their needs first. What did they enjoy doing before dementia? Are there new activities they like now?
Just as you’re not in the mood to do the same thing every day, your loved one may not be, either. Having a variety of activities planned can increase your chances of sparking their interest. Even doing a common task together, like sweeping or washing dishes, can help them connect.
Whether your parent is aging in place or in a mental care center, here are 10 activities to keep them feeling engaged and productive.
- Take a Walk
- Host a Game Night or Movie Night
- Cook Together
- Try Scrapbooking
- Practice Life Skills
- Volunteer
- Read Together
- Watch an Immersive Tour
- Celebrate Holidays
- Listen to Music
Take a Walk
Walking provides essential physical activity, and it can provide a sense of connection. Turn a basic walk into an event by including bird watching or collecting items for nature-inspired crafting projects. If your loved one enjoys looking at art, take a walk downtown and visit galleries, or stop in a bakery for their favorite treat.
Host a Game Night or Movie Night
Living with dementia doesn’t mean you don’t still enjoy simple social engagement. Invite family members or a few of your loved ones’ close friends over for game night or to watch a movie together.
Remember, the goal is not for them to play a board game successfully or watch an entire movie. The goal is to help them engage with others and enjoy the experience.
Cook Together
There’s nothing like preparing a favorite family recipe to stimulate the appetite and bring back old memories. Even the scent of familiar foods can elicit memories.
Depending on your loved one’s abilities, they can participate by reading the recipe, cleaning or chopping vegetables, rolling out pie crusts, or supervising. If possible, consider joining your loved one in a cooking class developed for seniors.
Try Scrapbooking
Whether using pictures from old magazines or copies of family photos, scrapbooking is a fun way to get seniors reminiscing about “the good old days.” You don’t have to be an artistic person to enjoy making a memory scrapbook, or even a single page.
Ask your loved one for stories about the people in the pictures, and share your own memories. Not only does scrapbooking make an effective memory preservation technique, but it’s also a great way to learn more about your family history.
Practice Life Skills
Simple skills like wiping a counter or setting the table may not seem like fun activities to you, but these types of simple actions help those with dementia feel useful and connected.
Activities that require routine, such as watering the houseplants every Saturday or sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner, can be calming and may help your loved one stay more aware of the present day.
Volunteer
Any senior can be at risk of feeling lonely and isolated, and people with dementia may have even more difficulty connecting with their peers. Volunteering provides an opportunity for seniors to do something important while getting a chance to socialize.
Older adults who enjoy knitting, sewing, or quilting could make items to donate to hospitals or homeless shelters. Volunteering at the food bank or helping out at church are just two of many possibilities.
Read Together
Read a favorite book with your loved one. You can take turns reading aloud if your loved one is up to it, or you can read to them. Sharing even a few pages at a time could elicit memories or inspire conversation. If they are able, encourage them to read to their grandchildren. Sharing a love of reading benefits all generations.
Watch an Immersive Tour
They may not be able to travel or visit zoos and museums like they once did, but people living with dementia can still enjoy some of those activities by watching immersive tours. The internet makes it possible to “tour” the world’s most famous sites, go birdwatching in exotic locations, or visit magnificent botanical gardens.
Celebrate Holidays
Holiday celebrations like Christmas or Valentine’s Day can encourage socialization, and they bring fun and color into everyday life. As they are able, involve your loved one in the holiday planning. Are there favorite foods or traditions they’d like to include?
Listen to Music
Music has the ability to conjure memories and make people feel young again. Playing music from your loved one’s teen years could start some interesting conversations. Try listening to a variety of musical genres, including their favorites. If listening to music leads to singing or dancing, that’s even better.
Remember Your Goal
When you’re the caregiver, friend, or relative of a person with dementia, there can be a lot of pressure to do things “right.” Keep in mind that the most important thing is spending time with your loved one.
It’s okay if the jigsaw puzzle never gets finished or the floor isn’t mopped correctly. Your goal is to engage your loved one and help them remember they are part of a loving family.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
