Dementia

Finding meaningful activities for people with dementia can be a very challenging task. It will always depend upon the stage of the illness they have reached.

The most important thing to remember is that activities should be related to the person's former life-style. The person's hobbies and travel experiences, family dynamics, social preferences, spiritual and cultural differences.

It is also important to have regular assessment regarding strengths and limitations in the area of daily living. As this varies from person to person it is suggested that a 'Social & Spiritual' care plan be written for each individual.

Here are some activities for people with dementia you may like to try.

Click on any listing to view full details


Gardening for Men

To maintain logic and planning skills.


Musical Bingo

Sensory stimulation and encouragement of interpersonal skills


Beauty Therapy

Provide sensory stimulation and enjoyment, ideal activity for Mother's Day


Wonderful cooking aromas

Sensorial stimulation and provision of home-like activity.


10 Comments
Individual Music Activity

Provide bed ridden clients with a feeling of enjoyment and well being


2 Comments
Group singing

This activity will elicit cognitive stimulus and social relationship


3 Comments
Outdoor Gardening

Promotion of physical activity and stimulate long term memory


4 Comments
Guessing Game

Ideal for residents with early dementia


3 Comments
Balloon Playing

Provide enjoyment and social interaction


8 Comments
Daily Living

Re-establish old roles. Provide a sense of purpose.


5 Comments
The Price is Right Game

Reminiscing, engaging in conversation, cognitive exercise


Bean Bag Surprise

Nice game to maintain or improve physical abilities.


Bucket Game

Promote friendship and stimulates physically.


Carpet Bowls

This is an excellent game for socialization.


Ladies Discussion

Reminiscing and mental stimulation through socialising


Horticultural Therapy

This is a very soothing and worthwhile activity


Baths or Spa Baths

Time out to relax and quiet the mind. A simple and effective way to use essential oils.


Sensory Patchwork

Enhance memories and provide stimulation by utilising interesting textures.


1 Comments
Taste Day

Stimulation of taste senses. Provision of enjoyment.


Sanding & Painting Birdhouses

Encourage new interests. Promote friendship. Soothe the mind.


Pot Painting

Enhance spiritual fulfillment. Improve dexterity.


Cleaning out a Drawer

Suitable to clients in first stage dementia (small objects are dangerous for later stages).


Comfort Activities

Promote cognitive well being, provide fun and enjoyment, and establish old roles.


Polishing Brass

Develops hand-eye coordination


Scent Guessing

Sensory stimulation with familiar scents.


Waltzing

Fun exercise and opportunity for social interaction.


Colour Sorting

Promote recognition of colours. Develop motor skills.


Shape Sorting

Improve dexterity and promote dimension discerning


Dementia Program - Weekly

This sample program is for acute Dementia care. Some people like to do it weekly, others monthly. I tried to have a music program at least once daily. One cannot underestimates the value of music in the lives of dementia clients. Downlod the form and adjust it to suit you. If you have an activity that works well for you I would love to hear it. A monthly program will be available shortly.


Famous Faces

Improve communication skills. Promote problem solving.


Cultural Awareness

To promote tolerance. To encourage acceptance and inclusion of cultural diversity.


Fishing Competition

Hand-eye coordination. Upper body movements (exercise).


Baseball Game

Improve upper body strength and hand-eye coordination.


1 Comments
Face Puzzle

Improve hand-eye coordination and enhance motor skills


1 Comments
Handbag Sorting (Toolbox for men)

Improve dexterity (grasping objects) and practice decision-making.


Treasure Hunt

Tactile stimulation and promote 'staying on task'.


3 Comments
Balloon Bean bags

VIDEO Instructions included! Object: maintain social skills and reinforce friendships. Sensory stimulation.


Father's Day Word Search

Here's a fun find-a-word especially for Father's Day!


Father's Day Poem

A poem especially for Dad's!


My Father's Profession Game

To engage socially and reminisce


Nursery Rhyme Game

Memory recall and reminiscing


World Animal Day Trivia

Here's some fun animal trivia for World Animal Day on the 4th of October 2009.


Fun with Salt Dough

Increase socialization. Improve ability to follow directions.


Famous Cat Lovers

Here are some interesting stories about famous cat lovers to help you celebrate World Animal Day.


All About Birds Quiz

Fun facts about birds for World Animal Day!


Oktober Fest Word Search

Celebrate Oktober Fest with this Word Search!


Pet Names

Which creature does each of the following pet names indicate?


Pet Quiz

Fill in the missing letters to reveal the animals and breeds!


2 Comments
Pot Decoration

Encourage creative expression. Improve dexterity.


1 Comments
Attire of the World

In which country would you see people wearing these?


Foods of the World Quiz

In which countries did the following foods originate from?


Remembrance Day Celebration

Observe cultural festivities. Promote sense of purpose. Download full program!


3 Comments
Melbourne Cup Horse Race Game

The Horse-Race game is a great way to spend the morning on Melbourne Cup Day!


Sweeps for Melbourne Cup Celebration

Get residents involved in Melbourne Cup celebrations!


Hat Parade for Melbourne Cup

Get in the spirit of Melbourne Cup Day with a hat parade!


How to make horses for the ‘Race Horse’ game:

Make your own game for Melbourne Cup Celebrations!


Identifying Needs

Learn how to identify the needs of residents entering aged care facilities.


3 Comments
Care Plan Goals & Interventions

Learn how to respond to the assessment of needs with the following 6 case studies.


Thanksgiving Word Search

Here is a series of word searches for thanksgiving with 3 different levels of difficulty. Choose the most appropriate for your residents!


Thanksgiving Tongue Twister Competition

Have fun and increase bonding with staff.


Christmas templates for colouring-in

Colouring-in, whether with crayons, coloured pencils or paint is therapy as well as a great way to pass the time absorbed in something creative. It may help to maintain what remains of dexterity and fine motor control. It is also likely to develop and foster friendship.


Stained Glass Window Christmas Decorations

Here is an activity that will help you with your resolve to become more ‘green’. It is fun to make and requires little skill and yet looks rather striking hanged in walls, doors, windows and shelves.


1 Comments
Pet Therapy (with a dog)

To promote socialization. Provide a sense of purpose.


Pet Therapy - bathing a dog

Opportunity to reminisce. Focus of interest outside routine.


Australia Day Damper Recipe

Damper is so easy to make - all you need is a hot oven and some very basic ingredients! Here is a recipe well worth trying!


Multicultural Food Day

Enjoy a multicultural food day to celebrate the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.


The Year of the Tiger colouring -in

Fun and enjoyment. Artistic expression.


1 Comments
Pancake Day Party

Pancakes are easy to make and the fillings can be savoury or sweet. The aroma throughout the facility will have people coming from everywhere the see what’s cooking!


2 Comments
Valentine's Day Hearts

Cultural observance. Reminiscing.


Handbag Clean-Up

Ideally, this activity should take place just before morning tea; a hot drink after a chore serves as a 'reward'. Each resident will bring her own handbag to be cleaned-up. The idea is to have them engaging in cleaning up and talking about the contents of their handbags.

  • Activity IdeasActivity ideas
  • Documentation SamplesDocumentation Samples
  • Updated WeeklyUpdated Weekly!
Register
Group membership form (PDF)

Members Login




Remember Me

Search

Newsletter Signup