Dementia
Finding practical and meaningful activities for people living with dementia or Alzheimer's Disease requires creative thinking. Here you will find a variety of activities suitable for early to advanced stages of dementia.
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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.
3 Comments Member Share
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How to Decrease Problem Behaviors
For any staff member, dealing with a person who has dementia, especially those with problem behaviors, can be challenging at times. How can you make the best of any situation?
4 Comments Member Share
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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.
3 Comments Member Share
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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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Things that go Together Quiz #2
How many do you remember? A fun reminiscing quiz for seniors, suitable for people living with dementia.
5 Comments
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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.
18 Comments Member Share
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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.
10 Comments
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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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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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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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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.
7 Comments Member Share
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Behavior Management for Dementia Care
Conflict and disagreement exist in all relationships. When you have a community of people with a progressive cognitive disorder such as dementia living together, it is to be expected that unpredictable and difficult to control behaviors will arise.
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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.
12 Comments
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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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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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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 dem
26 Comments Video
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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.
9 Comments Video
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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!
3 Comments Member Share
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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.
3 Comments
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15 uplifting activities for people confined to bed
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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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.
5 Comments Member Share
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Scent Guessing
Sensory stimulation with familiar scents. A fun activity for seniors and the elderly living with dementia.
11 Comments
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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.
10 Comments
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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.
5 Comments Member Share
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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.
8 Comments Member Share
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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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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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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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The Role of Leisure & Health Staff in Falls Prevention
Research indicates that over 40% of adults over the age of 65 will fall at least once a year. In long term residential care facilities the percentage is more dramatic; almost two thirds of residents fall once a year or more.
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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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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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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.
8 Comments
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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.
1 Comment Member Share
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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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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!
It is even more gratifying to see a resident who repeatedly declines to join activities walk into the recreation area for a concert, game or to participate in a trivia or discussion group. Here are a few tips that may help improve participation rates at your facility. Some you may be using already, others you may not have tried for a while.21 Comments
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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.
14 Comments
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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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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.
40 Comments
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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!10 Comments Member Share
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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!8 Comments Member Share
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Beach Reminiscing
The theme for this reminiscing session is: The Beach.
18 sample questions are provided.8 Comments
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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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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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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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How to start a Leisure & Lifestyle Program for Aged Care
Starting a Leisure and Lifestyle Program 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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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.
2 Comments
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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.
20 Comments Member Share
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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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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.
9 Comments Video
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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.
7 Comments
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Things that go Together Quiz
There are two ways to play this game.
Great for dementia patients!25 Comments
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Herbal Scent Tea Party
Try inviting relatives for this activity; it is an enjoyable occasion.
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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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Scent for Pleasure
Evocation of familiar scents to stimulate long-term memories. Ideal for sight impaired seniors.
4 Comments
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Pet Therapy - bathing a dog
Opportunity to reminisce. Focus of interest outside routine.
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Nursery Rhyme Game
Memory recall and reminiscing
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Treasure Hunt
Tactile stimulation and promote 'staying on task'.
2 Comments
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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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Comfort Activities for Dementia Care
Promote cognitive well being, provide fun and enjoyment, and establish old roles.
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Cleaning out a Drawer
Suitable to clients in first stage dementia (small objects are dangerous for later stages).
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Sensory Patchwork
Enhance memories and provide stimulation by utilising interesting textures.
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Wonderful cooking aromas
Sensorial stimulation and provision of home-like activity.
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Beauty Therapy
Provide sensory stimulation and enjoyment, ideal activity for Mother's Day
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Hand Massage & Nail Care
Make clients feel special and keep hands and nails clean.
15 Comments
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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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Footbaths
Sensory stimulation. Reduce stiffness. A good alternative if your client cannot use the bath.
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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.
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Aromatherapy Inhalations
Sensory stimulation through the use of essential oils
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Pumpkin Soup Making
Good for reminiscing about family life. Friendship and cooperation may be enhanced.
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Bucket Game
Promote friendship and stimulates physically.
7 Comments
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Bean Bag Surprise
Nice game to maintain or improve physical abilities.
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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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Guessing Game
Orientation, reminiscing and enjoyment. Socialization.
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Group singing
Promote alertness and sensory stimulation
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Reading Books Made from Newspaper Clippings
Choose positive, pleasant, interesting articles.
4 Comments Member Share
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Enjoy meaningful activity ideas that you can use with your clients straight away.
I appreciate the time and effort you put into finding and creating activities for seniors. I especially appreciate the freebies as I am a volunteer which implies I do not receive a paycheck so I really count on the free items your site offers and put them to good use at the PC and Dementia facility I volunteer at.
Merrilynn Wheeler
Executive Board Member for Friends of Pennypacker Mills
