There's Time to Play

Interacting with a loved ones with Dementia or Alzheimer’s can be challenging, especially as their world gradually narrows. Their boredom and your own can lead to frustration, anxiety, and even agitation, making it useful to engage in stimulating activities daily. While every person’s presentation is unique, there are many activities and tools that can help bring comfort, joy, and connection at different stages of the disease.

Encouraging Active Participation

In mid stages, individuals may still enjoy many of the activities they previously loved, though they might require more structure or support. Vision and dexterity may be affected. While some hobbies may dissipate, particularly activities on cell phones, others can become new again.

• Games and Puzzles: Matching card games, jigsaw puzzles with large pieces, and word searches can help maintain cognitive function and provide a sense of accomplishment. Activity book sets are available to pull and spread across the week.

• Music and Dance: Familiar tunes can trigger memories, encourage movement, and lift spirits. Consider making a playlist of their favorite songs or attending live music events together. If there are forgotten but loved records, bring them for the turntable.

• Daily Tasks with Purpose: Folding laundry, sorting items, or baking can make them feel useful and engaged in everyday life. Utilizing a white board (magnetic on the fridge or wall hung) to plan a week's activities, even small and ordinary ones, gives the family structure.

Adapting to Changing Abilities

As dementia progresses, individuals may struggle with complex activities but still benefit from sensory engagement and simplified tasks. Timed for best times of day for attention, consider adaptive activities.

• Arts and Crafts: Less range of motion and dexterity doesn't mean it isn't fun. Reuseable watercolor is mess free.

  

  
  

• Pets and Therapy Animals: The presence of a gentle pet or therapy dog can reduce stress, provide companionship, and offer an emotional connection. Alternatively, stuffed animals can be a familiar comfort like a favorite pillow while the simple act of petting can be soothing and reassuring.

• Animatronic Pets: I do NOT recommend animatronic pets broadly available today. They move oddly and will not encourage the comfort they are intended to provide. However, in the works is Tombot. Tombot is a next level animatronic companion toy. A product of the Jim Henson's Creature Shop (muppets). The pets are waiting list only, see site to register.

• Picture Books and Memory Albums: Photo albums filled with familiar faces or themed picture books can encourage conversation and spark recognition.

• Balloon Toss: Surprisingly fun to do, keeping a balloon in the air and playing catch encourages activity and relaxation. Thicker balloons recommended. Incorporate a racket or half sized pool noodle to bat them around.

• Fidget Toys and Sensory Items: Soft fabrics, textured balls, or busy boards with zippers and buttons can provide comfort and keep hands occupied. Note that some fidget toys can be small and look edible, be alert to this. And some can be too juvenile.

• Nature and Gardening: Tending to plants, watering flowers, or simply sitting outside and observing birds and trees can be soothing and grounding.

The Power of Presence

Regardless of the stage, one of the most valuable things you can offer a loved one with dementia is your presence. Even when words fail, a warm smile, a soft touch, or sitting together in silence can provide a sense of security and love.

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