16 Enriching Activities for Dementia Patients
For patients with dementia, regular participation in thoughtfully crafted activities is a meaningful, therapeutic practice that is essential for their overall wellbeing. It can become challenging to connect and focus, especially as their condition progresses.
However, the right activities can provide cognitive stimulation, and give them a task to divert their attention towards. Creating a routine around engaging activities can also give your loved one a sense of control, productivity, and purpose. Plus, enjoying these activities with your family member is an excellent way to connect and spend quality time together.
This guide includes a range of activities for dementia patients, including creative projects, mentally stimulating tasks, calming exercises, and physical activities.
Home Activities for Dementia Patients
All of the activities listed below can be done at home by family members and friends of patients with dementia. There is no need to invest in elaborate equipment or tools to provide engaging and stimulating projects. Each of the 16 activities involves just a few (if any) items that are easy to obtain.
Of course, keep in mind your loved one’s level of dementia to choose appropriate projects. Skip activities that may be too difficult, and instead focus on incorporating engaging, simple tasks that they can successfully complete.
Also remember that, depending on the stage of dementia, they may only be able to stay engaged with a task for 10 to 15 minutes. If you ever find them resisting the activity or growing frustrated, you can always take a break or redirect their attention towards another task that may better fit their needs.
Before we dive in, note that these activities are not substitutes for medical care provided by trained professionals. Rather, they can be used as supplements to your loved one’s professional care to further build connection and enrich their life.
With all of this in mind, let’s talk through the different types of activities you can try with your family member.
Craft Activities for Dementia Patients
Crafts are a great way to get your loved one to engage their creativity and work with their hands. Plus, these creative activities also give them that feeling of accomplishment once they complete their work.
1. Create a scrapbook
Crafts are a great way to get your loved one to engage their creativity and work with their hands. Plus, these creative activities also give them that feeling of accomplishment once they complete their work.
2. Design bead jewelry or keychains
This activity improves fine motor skills while simultaneously tapping into your loved one’s creative side. When selecting materials for this craft, be sure to provide beads with large holes and thicker strings to make the process easier. You may need to assist with threading and fastening clasps, as needed.
3. Make bookmarks
This is the perfect craft for the avid reader. Provide colorful cardstock, a hole punch, and ribbons, as well as paint or colored pencils so that you can work together to create beautiful and personalized bookmarks that can be reused.
These are just a few craft ideas – the opportunities are endless! For even more inspiration, search through
Pinterest for craft activities for dementia patients.
Staying active helps seniors physically and mentally, as well as building stronger bonds with family.
Art Activities for Dementia Patients
Art projects are also fun and enriching activities that allow patients with dementia to connect to their creative instincts.
4. Paint with pastels, watercolors, or oils
Painting on canvas or art paper allows your loved one to work with their hands and create something from scratch, giving them a sense of accomplishment once they are done. The act of painting can also be incredibly therapeutic. As you set up your art space, you can lay out butcher paper or tarp for easy cleanup once you’re done.
5. Draw in an adult coloring book
For a slightly more contained creative activity, join your loved one in coloring in an adult coloring book. There are a wide range of choices available for purchase, with themes including nature, travel, animals, abstract art, and so much more. Find a theme that fits their interests to best engage them in the activity.
6. Create a collage
Collect magazines that fit the interests of your family member (such as fashion, travel, or food) to help them connect with their hobbies and memories. Help them select and cut out their favorite images, and then paste them on art paper to create fun, colorful collages.
No matter which art project you choose, be sure to engage in conversation as you create together. Talk about what they are working on and why they chose to create their specific art piece – it’s a great way to encourage connection and provide additional stimulation.
Physical Activities for Dementia Patients
Finding ways to work movement into a dementia patient’s daily routine is great for both their physical and mental wellbeing.
7. Dance
Even if they have some physical limitations, anyone can enjoy dancing. To help them engage in the activity, play some of their favorite musical artists and songs. Doing so will help them further connect with their memories and fully enjoy the activity.
8. Play balloon volleyball
A playful physical activity worth trying is balloon volleyball, which can be played one-on-one or with a group. Inflate a balloon, and work together to keep it from touching the ground by batting it with your hands or feet. It’s not only fun, but also helps improve focus, reflexes, and balance.
9. Complete household tasks together
Taking part in simple household tasks will not only encourage physical movement, but will also give your loved one a sense of accomplishment and productivity. Some simple yet captivating activities include folding laundry, vacuuming, and cleaning out a cluttered drawer or closet.
The most important thing to remember is that all of these activities should be performed together. Build connection by being an equal participant.
Brain Stimulation Activities for Dementia Patients
All of the activities we’ve covered so far provide mental stimulation, but the following tasks can further bolster cognitive health and allow your loved one to fully focus on a single task.
10. Read together (or read to them)
Help your family member stay up-to-date on what is happening in the world or in their community by reading articles from an online news source. Alternatively, pick up magazines that fit their interests to read together. If they are unable to read on their own, ask them which sections or articles they are interested in and read those aloud. Once finished, have a discussion about the piece to further engage.
11. Complete a puzzle
Doing a puzzle is enjoyable and helps provide mental stimulation. Plus, it’s a great way to work together, bond, and build connection.
12. Play card games
Another fun brain stimulating activity is a card game. This can be an especially enjoyable group activity when grandchildren or other family members are visiting. Some card games may be too complicated for dementia patients, so stick with more straightforward games like Go Fish and Uno.
Brain stimulation activities can be enjoyable, but they may also be draining. Take breaks as needed to avoid overwhelming your loved one.
Sensory Activities for Dementia Patients
Sensory activities are those that involve awakening one or more of the senses: touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. They are incredibly therapeutic and can help dementia patients bond and feel a sense of reassurance. Many also involve creative ways to help your loved one reconnect with their memories.
13. Design flower arrangements
Activate the sense of smell and sight (while also engaging in creativity) by creating flower arrangements together. Purchase or cut flowers of different varieties and colors, and work to design arrangements that can be placed around the home or given as gifts.
14. Create a beach experience in a box
This unique tactile activity brings the beach to your loved one, and is especially great for anyone who loves to spend time by the water. Take a plastic box and fill it with kinetic sand and a variety of sea shells (both of which can be purchased online or at an art store). Spend time sifting through the sand, analyzing the sea shells, and talking about memories and the experience of being at the beach.
15. Offer a hand massage
A simple hand massage can help you bond with your loved one and offer reassurance while helping them relax. Add to the sensory experience by using a scented hand lotion.
16. Make their favorite recipe
Cooking together (and of course, enjoying your creation) is a great way to bond while engaging multiple senses. By creating one of their favorite foods (such as the family chili recipe, or the birthday cake they used to always make), you can further help them connect with their memories. Bring your whole family into the activity by giving them cooking tasks that they can complete (such as mixing or measuring), and work together to bring the recipe to life.
Just like with the other activities on this list, be sure to engage with your loved one as they experience a sensory activity. This is a great way to not only provide therapeutic benefits, but also strengthen your bond.
Free Printable Activities for Dementia Patients
These 16 activities are just ideas to get you started – there are plenty of other enriching activities you can try. Here are some additional free resources to check out:
- Keeping Busy - This website has organized a long list of printable activities, including word searches, coloring pages, poetry activities, and more.
- Maria’s Place - This website has tons of printables to explore, with options including: crosswords, a split words games, easy math quizzes, journaling worksheets, and more.
- Adventures of a Caregiver Get into the spirit of the spooky season with your loved one by completing this Halloween-themed word search. You can also enjoy this Christmas-themed word search with your family member, as well as this holiday card matching game.
Creating a Routine for Your Loved One
As you start to adopt some of these activities, it’s important to be consistent and build a routine. Your loved one will benefit the most from a regular schedule featuring activities that help them engage, focus, and connect. Doing so will enrich the life of your family member and help you create a deeper, meaningful bond.
