The Out-of-the-Box, Creative Dementia Care Activities You Need to Try

These unique dementia care activities will have you and the person you love enjoying life more fully!

Caring for someone with dementia is unlike any other responsibility you’ll undertake. It requires you to dig deep down into your reserves of patience, flexibility, and perhaps most importantly, creativity. You have to be ready to pivot at a moment’s notice from one strategy to another to promote a fulfilling and enriching life for the person you love, all while managing the more challenging aspects of the condition.

Our trained, skilled dementia care team is here to help with some innovative tips you can easily implement to make each day the best it can be for someone with dementia—from creative dementia care activities to ideas for making mealtime more appealing and enjoyable!

• The magic of music: Music is an incredibly effective tool you’ll likely want to turn to again and again. This can involve creating a playlist of the person’s favorite songs to sing and dance to together, playing instruments, attending concerts (in person or online), etc.
• Calming scents: Aromatherapy can work wonders in providing a calming effect to reduce anxiety and agitation. Try scents like lavender, peppermint, or vanilla.
• Reminiscence boxes: Create personalized boxes filled with meaningful objects or photos from the person’s past to spark memories and facilitate reminiscing.
• Light therapy: Exposure to natural light or specialized light therapy devices may help regulate sleep patterns and improve mood in individuals with dementia.
• Biophilic design: Incorporate elements of nature, such as plants or nature-inspired artwork, into the living environment to create a calming and familiar atmosphere.
• Red tableware: Studies suggest that using red plates and cups may increase food intake in individuals with dementia by enhancing contrast and visibility of food.
• Virtual reality: VR experiences tailored to the individual’s interests and abilities can provide immersive and therapeutic experiences, triggering memories and improving mood.
• The hand-under-hand technique: When assisting with tasks, gently place your hand under the person’s hand to guide them, promoting a sense of control and dignity.
• Montessori methods: Adapt Montessori principles to create meaningful and engaging activities that stimulate cognitive function and promote independence.
• Sensory stimulation: Engage the senses with tactile activities like gardening or fabric folding, which can soothe and ground individuals with dementia.
• Tailored storytelling: Customize familiar stories to include specifics from the individual’s past. For example, if the person loved fishing at a particular lake, weave the name of the lake into a story you’re telling to spark memories and conversations.
• Adaptive games: Modify simple games like memory matching, puzzles, and bingo to accommodate cognitive changes. For instance, use larger, easy-to-handle pieces for puzzles or brightly colored cards for bingo to enhance visibility and ease of use.
• Customized exercise routines: Incorporate gentle, guided exercises that match the person’s current physical abilities and help maintain mobility. Check with the person’s doctor for recommendations.

Partner with our dementia care specialists for additional socialization opportunities, creative activities specific to the person’s interests, and the chance for you to step away for some much-needed time to yourself. Serving Novato, Santa Rosa, Napa, and throughout the Bay Area, you can reach us any time at (866) 940-4343.