Alzheimer's & Dementia

Orange Volcano

Orange Volcano sidents I work with all have a diagnosis of dementia, but at many different stages. This creates a challenge for getting group activities going.

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Sorting by Color - Flags of the World

This is a wonderful montessori-inspired dementia activity - sorting by color! Use the colors of a World Flag to create this game on a theme day. For example, green, white and red - for Italy's flag!

Sensory Lavender Rice & Chamomile Dough for Dementia

Here are some calming sensory activities that are particularly suitable for residents living with dementia. They include familiar scents, kneading and shaping. Chamomile Play Dough + Lavender Rice Tray.

Baking Activities: Peanut Butter Cookies and Anzac Biscuits

Cooking is one activity that engages all five senses. There are plenty of simple ways to immerse residents in a cooking activity: measuring, adding, stirring, mixing etc. is Make it safe and enjoyable for everyone.

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Sifting and Sorting Bins for Dementia Care

Sorting and sifting bins are a wonderful staple to include in easy-to-grab areas for caregivers, family members, and residents to enjoy together. Here are inspiration and instruction to get you started.

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Cozy Sensory Kits

The fall and winter seasons are ideal for creating a few sensory kits that encourage coziness and relaxation. You can keep these kits in your office and use them during 1:1 interactions or for small groups.

Wheel of Fortune or Hangman with Dice

To make word guessing easier for dementia residents, I assign a number to each blank letter in the answer using numbers 1-6. The player rolls a die and I fill in all the blanks with that number.

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Loneliness and Isolation in Nursing Homes

If a resident prefers to be alone, are they lonely? It can make us feel nervous when we don’t see residents at group activities. However, not all residents appear to want to create a social connection.

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Line Drawing for Seniors

This activity can enhance participants observation skills, and strengthen hand-eye coordination. Pablo Picasso was considered a master at this medium among others.  His animal line drawings are breathtaking in their simplicity.

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My Favorite Teacher Reminiscing

Childhood reminiscing provides validation and assurance for people living with dementia. Most people had a favourite teacher growing up and most would not have had the chance to say thank you to them.

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Who's Who in the Photo

I wanted to share an activity that I did this morning with my dementia residents. I developed about 60 pictures that I have taken over the last 2 months. We all sat in a circle and I handed them a photo and they tried to recognize themselves or a person in the group. 

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The Seven Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

Understanding the disease progression helps us recognize changes in behavior and provide the right support. Symptoms will gradually worsen over time, however there are ways we can make life better at every stage.

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5 Things We Can Learn From Dementia Villages

For those caring for seniors with dementia, successful interventions are centered on reminiscence and the person. What happens when we give the person the chance to explore an environment that feels familiar to them? Dementia villages are aiming to do just that.

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Guessing Game - Who Am I?

This is a wonderful reminiscing activity in a group setting. Guess the names of these famous people from the clues provided.

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Reading Books Made from Newspaper Clippings

Choose positive, pleasant, interesting articles. Residents that have dementia or limited reading skills will enjoy reading them.

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Group Singing with Props

This is a wonderful multi-sensory activity for residents living with dementia.

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Nursery Rhymes - Sing the Next Line

Most residents living with dementia will remember childhood rhymes. Sing these nursery rhymes together!

9 Principles of the Montessori Approach for Dementia Care

People living with dementia deserve to live to their full potential, with meaningful activities and the right support to achieve maximum engagement in social and leisure pursuits.

Name the Car Logos Visual Quiz

A visual quiz - see if you can name the car brands featured. A great activity for the men!

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Name the Carpentry Tools

Print the words and image pages, laminate and cut, then match the words with the image.

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How to Manage Aggressive Behavior

Providing care to residents with aggressive behavior can be extremely challenging. Considering the number of residents we work with and the close living quarters they live in, we will at times be faced with someone who is unhappy no matter what lengths we take to care for them.

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15 uplifting activities for people with limited mobility

Elderly people who are confined to bed for long periods of time because of diagnosis or frailty often experience severe mood swings. They get tired of sitting or lying down, become bored with life and miss social contact with others.

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5 Myths and Misconceptions About Dementia

Because so many people in care homes have dementia, many will assume that all the residents in need of care have dementia. However, this is not always the case, and leads to several common myths and misconceptions about dementia.

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Bird Types Matching Game

A matching game with trivia to stimulate conversation and cognitive functioning!

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Fads of the 1940s and 1950s

The 1940s and 1950s were decades of profound and lasting cultural change. There was plenty of trauma and upheaval but in this this article we concentrate on what was good and fun!

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Alphabet Game

Our Alzheimer's residents really love being able to remember words. It makes them feel proud that they have not forgotten everything yet!

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Wandering and Dementia

People living with dementia can display many behavioral traits that are difficult to manage, one of the most common and challenging is wandering.

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Guess the Celebrity Ages

We decided to create a guessing game for our residents and adapted it so that it could be used with a wide range of abilities. It was a really fun and easy to make activity, you can add celebrities that are well known in your area!

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Sundownder Music

Between 5pm and 6 pm in the Dementia-Specific House, Residents are agitated and restless. To help calm them down, I pull out an iPad and go to Youtube.

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How to Decrease Problem Behaviors

Working with people living with dementia, especially those with problem behaviors, can be challenging. How can you make the best of any situation?

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How to Make Sensory Blankets for Dementia Care

Sensory Mats or Fidget Blankets provide a soothing and stimulating activity for people living with dementia or recovering from strokes.

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How to make Twiddlemuffs

Twiddlemuffs (or twiddlemitts) are knitted hand-warmers that provide sensory stimulation for people living with dementia. They keep restless hands busy and soothe and comfort those who are anxious or agitated.

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Stick Figure Drawing & Storytelling

Drawing is a fun and interactive activity to pursue. Most people have done a little drawing or at least some doodling at some point in their lives. Offer clients the opportunity to revisit drawing as a pastime.

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How to motivate residents in long term care

Encouraging the elderly to participate in scheduled activities can be challenging. Lack of engagement is a common problem. It is important that you identify any barriers - whether perceived or real - that might be preventing residents from getting involved.

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Match Ups

After watching a Montessori video I decided to make my own resources. As dementia clients retain the ability to read for a long time, I use words to match with pictures.

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Reminiscing with Vintage Photos

Vintage photos from yesteryear provide wonderful reminiscing opportunities for the elderly living with dementia. Remembering the past helps the elderly affirm their lives and uncover deep-seated memories.

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Two Minute Activities for Dementia Care

During your working hours, you will see many clients outside of programmed activities; seize the opportunity and engage with them. It will only take a minute or two and can transform someone's state of mind and lift their spirits more than you can imagine.

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Finish the Sayings and Proverbs Game

This fun and simple game is great for seniors including people living with dementia. Includes well known sayings, idioms and proverbs that they will remember from their past.

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Fill out the form please

Most people have experience filling out forms and this activity is a great reminder of how to do a simple life skill. I've found this activity great for distracting those who 'want to go home', ask them to if they would mind filling out the paperwork first, sit them down, present them with a form, give them a pen, have a quick look in their care plan so you can help them with some of the info they may struggle with.

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How to Respond to Challenging Behavior

Challenging behavior is common in people living with dementia and is considered one of the most difficult issues facing staff in residential care and caregivers at home. It is important to try and understand why the person is behaving in a particular way and remember that it is the behavior that is challenging and not the person.

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Games for People Living with Dementia

Adapting and modifying games for seniors is necessary for all sorts of different reasons. As well as for those living with dementia, games need to be modified for those who use wheelchairs and those with impaired vision or sensory loss.

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Sensory Pouches for Dementia Care

These touchy-feely sensory pouches (also known as squish bags and sensory pads) are a wonderful way to explore the senses. They are also so easy to make! Making sensory pouches is a quick and inexpensive way to make an engaging and relaxing sensory activity for people living with dementia.

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How to Plan Music Activities for Dementia Care

Everyone responds instinctively to music. A person’s ability to engage in music often remains intact far into the advanced stages of dementia. Music triggers certain networks of the brain that benefit people suffering from difficulties with language, cognition, or motor control.

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Sensory Rain Sticks

Rain sticks are well loved by babies and older children. They are also particularly good for people living with dementia. They remind people of the sound of gently falling rain, which is harmonious and relaxing.

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Cue Cards for Dementia Care

Cue Cards or Communication Cards are visual tools that can be used to overcome communication difficulties with clients living with dementia. They assist and support caregivers, staff and volunteers to engage with the person in their care.

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Nursery Rhyme Quiz III

Depending on the age group, and of course personality traits, few have said they find them quite juvenile, and others love it and try to complete them... and are pleasantly surprised at , after all these years, how much they have retained!

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Memory Tray

A simple idea where a group of random objects are displayed on a tray for a limited period of time and then the clients try and recall what the items were.

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Scent Guessing

Sensory stimulation with familiar scents. A fun activity for seniors and the elderly living with dementia.

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Pet Therapy (with a dog)

Pet Therapy in Nursing Homes has been enthusiastically accepted for decades. Stroking a dogs fur may elicit positive responses and lift the spirits of many a lonely resident.

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Nursery Rhymes Quiz

Answer the questions and sing a few lines of the song.

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How to Prevent Falls in Senior Care

The risk of falls and fall-related injuries increases with age. As well as injury, a fall may lead to avoidance of daily activities, social isolation and lowered quality of life.

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10 Spiritual Activities for people with Alzheimer's Disease

Spiritual support for people with dementia in nursing homes and other care facilities is vital to their well-being and a requisite for the holistic care we strive to achieve

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Musical Bingo

Musical Bingo improves recall and provides opportunities to reminisce. It is also an enjoyable and sociable game. This game was created by a Music Therapist I worked with and it was very popular in our Dementia Care Unit. If you don't have time to put the game together, ask a volunteer to help you. All you need is a computer, a printer and a laminator. This activity includes downloadable song cards and calling cards.

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10 ways to increase activity participation

There is hardly anything more rewarding for activity coordinators than an increase in resident participation. Weeks of hard work are paid off!

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School Days Reminiscing Cards

This is a wonderful game that can be adapted to any occasion. Residents will enjoy reminiscing and sharing stories.

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Balloon Games

Gentle exercise for the arms as well as an opportunity to socialize! Great for game for the elderly. Also suitable for people living with dementia.

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Play dough crafts

I work in a secure dementia wing and I found this activity excellent, even for vision impaired.
Thank you Marina for submitting this activity!

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Beach Reminiscing

The theme for this reminiscing session is: The Beach.
18 sample questions are provided.

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Celebrating Grandparents Day

Grand-Parents Day is celebrated in many countries on different dates. The celebration is to promote the importance of grandparents to children.

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10+ Benefits of Pet Therapy

Pets can help us lead happier, healthier lives. Companionship with a pet will ease loneliness, reduce depression, stimulate movement and boost moods.

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Tips for Writing Successful Activity Programs for Senior Care

Designing activity programs for residents in nursing homes and long term care requires creative thinking and enthusiasm. Your main point of reference will be the assessment of your clients.

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The Price is Right Game

This is such a fun game! Residents will love reminiscing about the price of groceries in a social setting.

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Recycled Magazine Scrapbooks

Beautiful scrapbooks made from recycled magazines. Make them to suit the interests of individuals. A wonderful activity for seniors living with dementia.

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Sing-Along with Picture Cards

Singing is a favourite activity for many people and if movements are added with the hands and arms then singing can also become a gentle exercise actitvity.

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Dementia Program - Weekly

This sample program is for acute Dementia care. Some people like to do it weekly, others monthly. Download the form and adjust it to suit you.

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Bean bag Toss

This has always been a very popular game at all the facilities where I have worked. If you don't have a sewing machine ask a volunteer or one of your clients' relatives to do it for you.

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Things that go Together Quiz

There are two ways to play this game. Great for people living with dementia!

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Scent for Pleasure

Evocation of familiar scents to stimulate long-term memories. Ideal for sight impaired seniors.

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25 Comfort Activities for Dementia Care

The benefits of sensory activities in dementia care cannot be underestimated. It can be as simple as taking your resident to the garden or using a diffuser with some lavender and geranium essential oils in the sitting room.

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Wonderful cooking aromas

Sensorial stimulation and provision of home-like activity.

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Hand Massage & Nail Care

This is a wonderful sensory activity that can reduce anxiety, provide reassurance and a sense of comfort.

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Footbaths

Sensory stimulation. Reduce stiffness. A good alternative if your client cannot use the bath.

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Aromatherapy Inhalations

Sensory stimulation through the use of essential oils

Bucket of Bean Bags Game

This simple and fun game promotes friendships and physical activity!

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Bean Bag Surprise

This is a nice game to maintain or improve physical abilities.

Cross-out The Odd Words #1

Cross-out the odd Cross the odd word out in each row. Then add one more!word in each row!

Sort the Colours

I saved various coloured milk bottle tops until I had enough to use for this activity. Its great for visually impaired and dementia clients. The clients gain a sense of self esteem and satisfaction plus it helps with fine motor skills.

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Groups Quiz - People, Animals, Things

The following activity is a flow on from the quizzes that regularly appear in Golden Carers. I used this recently at a monthly residents' birthday party which encompasses many stages of dementia.

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Communication Strategies That Improve Client Engagement

Engagement Starts with Person-Centred Care. Place them at the center of their own care to promote independence and satisfaction. Learning about past lifestyle choices helps us to devise meaningful activity programs that improve quality of life.

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True or False Word Game

Read the sentences and decide if they are true or false. This activity is suitable for people with aphasia or dementia.

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Category Fill-ins

Sort the supplied words into their relevant categories.

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Psychosocial Interventions for Dementia Care

In dementia care, a 'psychosocial intervention' is a broad term used to describe different ways to support people with dementia to overcome challenges and maintain well-being.

Name the Fishing Equipment

Print the words and image pages, laminate and cut, then match the words with the image.

Name the Kitchen Appliances

Print the words and image pages, laminate and cut, then match the words with the image.

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Matching Activity - Name the Vehicle

This is a Montessori based activity where images are matched with the words that describe them. The theme for this activity is: Vehicles.

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Name the Fairytale Movies

BIG Memory Cards

I simply print off the pictures I want, together with a "Question Mark" for the reverse side, and slip them into the empty DVD covers.

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Matching Activity - Famous Landmarks of the World

This is a Montessori based activity where images are matched with the words that describe them. The theme for this activity is: Famous Landmarks of the World

How to Communicate with Body Language

For many people living in care facilities, the means to communicate verbally has become limited or lost due to dementia and this can significantly impact self-esteem. The good news is that over 90% of communication is non-verbal.

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The Importance of Daily Living Activities for the Elderly

Many elders leave behind a lifestyle they dearly wish to maintain when they enter a care environment. Tapping into someone's muscle memory with daily living tasks will assist in meeting their need to feel valued and purposeful.

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Things that go Together Quiz #2

How many do you remember? A fun reminiscing quiz for seniors, suitable for people living with dementia.

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13 Fun Brain Activities for Seniors

Our brains, just like our bodies need exercise! Neurobics is a type of exercise designed to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive performance. Here are 13 simple and stimulating mind activities for seniors in nursing homes.

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Dementia Care & The Physical Environment

The surrounding environment has a profound impact on people living with dementia. Along with clever architecture and design, there are many other ways in which Activity Staff can enhance the physical environment to improve the lives and reduce the daily struggles of people living with dementia.

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Charades Game

This is an adaptable game to be played by two teams. It is recommended to make cards in two or three different levels: easy, medium and if the game proves popular make an even more challenging set of cards!

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10 Communication Strategies for Dementia Care

Communication is vital to our well-being. People living with dementia slowly lose their language skills and their ensuing quality of life. Here are some tips to help communicating with people living with dementia.

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Sundowning: Symptoms, triggers & strategies

The term ‘sundowning’ or ‘sundown syndrome’ refers to an end-of-day confusion and restlessness that manifests as dusk approaches. This syndrome affects people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.

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Reminiscence - Childhood Nursery Rhymes

Nursery Rhymes from the 1930s to Sing, Discuss & Reminisce about.

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Armchair Travel: A Sensory Experience for Seniors

Armchair Travel takes people to faraway places without leaving home. It provides a sensory experience and the opportunity to learn about exotic lands and important past events in a meaningful manner. This is a wonderful activity for seniors living in nursing homes and suitable for people with dementia.

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Nursery Rhyme Quiz II

Nursery Rhymes are a good topic for conversation and reminiscing for people with dementia. Take your time when doing this quiz and encourage clients to sing and share memories.

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Mixed Media Collages for the Elderly

An engaging and stimulating Activity for Seniors! Mixed Media Collage activities are especially beneficial for people living with dementia. Dementia and creativity mix well together, producing works that are original and daintily surprising.

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Paint Stick Matching Game

I am posting this because we have tried it and we had a great response. This is a fun craft activity and bingo style game for seniors.

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Money Counting

This is something that we began doing in our Sundowning evening program for some of the male residents. The possibilities are endless and they really seem to enjoy it.

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Tips for One-on-One Visits with Seniors

It is not uncommon for seniors living in assisted-living facilities to lack mental stimulation and social contact. Recreation Therapists often use one-on-one visits to respond to the needs of those who avoid social settings. There are many enjoyable games and activities that can keep minds and bodies strong and active.

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Sensory Stimulation for Dementia Care

Sensory stimulation is the activation of one or more of the senses such as taste, smell, sight, hearing, and touch. Sensory stimulation is a key component for improving the quality of life of people living with dementia.

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The Benefits of Coloring-in for the Elderly

Coloring for seniors is a therapeutic and satisfying activity. Research into the effects of coloring activities for people living with dementia show positive outcomes, most notably a decrease in agitation and anxiety.

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15 Activities for Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease affects people in different ways. Rather than focusing on the disease and impairment, we should aim to identify each person's strengths and remaining abilities and find activities to support these. Here are 15 Activities For Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease.

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Reminiscing Activities for Seniors

Reminiscing with the elderly is a wonderful way to validate the lives of individuals and provide seniors with a sense of purpose, especially those living with dementia. Reminiscing activities also encourage social interaction and promote interpersonal skills.

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20 Practical Activities for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease

20 activities for the elderly with dementia. The following ideas may be used on a one-to-one basis and others may be suitable for small groups depending on their abilities. These dementia activities are designed to promote and maintain existing skills.

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Pet Therapy in Nursing Homes

For the elderly with dementia, depression declines after they interact with a therapy animal. As well as being wonderful companions, pets also provide significant health benefits to their owners.

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Alzheimer’s Disease Research

March 2015 Update - There are many reasons to be hopeful for a future without dementia; a disorder that affects 36 million people globally.

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Sensory Boxes & Other Ideas to Stimulate the Senses

The sensory functions of elders decline as they grow older and this can impact on their feelings of well-being. Multi-sensory stimulation is becoming increasingly popular in nursing homes based on impressive results. Sensory activities contribute to the emotional and physical health of people living with dementia. Sensory activities can be non-verbal; thereby crossing cultural boundaries.

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Doll Therapy and Dementia

Doll Therapy can provide satisfaction and comfort to people with dementia or Alzheimers. It provides them with the opportunity to nurture and satisfy an emotional need that wouldn’t be fulfilled otherwise.

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Stringing Beads

Stringing beads is a simple and affordable activity for seniors that produces beautiful and satisfying results. This activity can be adapted to suit people living with dementia.

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Sensory Salt Garden

Sensory salt Garden can assist with behaviours and also serves as a communication tool, along with making your home smell wonderful. Let the imagination run free.

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Sensory Stimulation with Wind Chimes

Wind chimes have been around for hundreds of years. They have been known to have a healing effect on the mind; reducing stress and promoting relaxation and creativity.

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What is Dementia? Alzheimer's Disease vs Dementia

Dementia is not a disease in itself, it is a collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain (like Alzheimer’s Disease). This article provides an overview of dementia and the most common causes of dementia.

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15 Sensory Activities for Late Stage Alzheimer's

Dealing with the effects of Alzheimer's Disease is a long and challenging process for the everyone involved. It is especially difficult when the late stage of the illness is reached.

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Sensory Lap Quilt

Make your own sensory quilts to ease agitated or restless clients.
Thank you Chantal for this wonderful idea!

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Snoezelen Rooms and Sensory Environments for Dementia Care

People living with dementia can benefit greatly from exposure to soothing and sensory environments.

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Pairing & Sorting

This activity is suitable for people with dementia or Alzheimers. You can use socks, playing cards, picture matching Games etc

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Picture Puzzle

Improve hand-eye coordination and enhance motor skills

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Matching Shapes

Improve dexterity and promote dimension discerning

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Matching Colours

Matching colour games can be made from coloured buttons, milk bottle tops, coloured wooden blocks, pom-poms or you can recycle incomplete games such as chess.

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Multicultural Sing-Along

If you have participants from the referred countries, encourage them to help out and perhaps to sing one verse in their native language.

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Handbag Clean-Up

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.

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Balloon Bean bags

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

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Herbal Scent Tea Party

Try inviting relatives for this activity; it is an enjoyable occasion.

Famous Pairs

Leader says the first word and the audience guesses the next

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Three of a kind

Promote cognitive alertness. Opportunity for socialization

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Pet Therapy - bathing a dog

Opportunity to reminisce. Focus of interest outside routine.

Nursery Rhyme Game

Memory recall and reminiscing

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Treasure Hunt

Tactile stimulation and promote 'staying on task'.

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Handbag Sorting (Toolbox for men)

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

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Colour Sorting

Promote recognition of colours. Develop motor skills.

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Waltzing

Fun exercise and opportunity for social interaction.

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Cleaning out a Drawer

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

Sensory Patchwork

Enhance memories and provide stimulation by utilising interesting textures.

Beauty Therapy

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

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Vaporisation

Calm the mind and cleanse the spirit with essential oils. A lovely activity for seniors.

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Compresses

Relieve muscle aches and increase circulation using essential oil compresses

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Baths or Spa Baths

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

Pumpkin Soup Making

Good for reminiscing about family life. Friendship and cooperation may be enhanced.

Daily Living Activities

Engagement of residents in tasks they used to do in their own home. A very calming activity. Ideal for people living with dementia.

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