Finding dementia friendly activities can be key to enhancing the life of your loved one living with dementia, although we know it can be challenging to stay engaged and active during the winter months.
We’re sharing some of our favourite dementia-friendly activities that you and your loved one can do at home.
Enjoying music
Music can remain long after other memories begin to fade and can be a source of constant comfort during general cognitive decline. Listening to old favourites, singing familiar songs, or even gentle movement to music can evoke memories and uplift spirits.
If you’re comfortable taking your loved one out of the house, consider taking them to a local music event or concert that you think they might enjoy.
Tailored playlists based on personal preferences or cultural background are especially effective. Here at Ambridge Rose we often invite local musicians in to play live music for our residents, which our residents enjoy singing and dancing along to.
Arts, crafts and puzzles
Simple, adaptable arts and crafts like watercolour painting, decorating cards, painting nails or macaroni art are great ways to encourage self-expression without the pressure of making something perfect. The movement of creating art can be soothing and stimulating, with the ability to start and stop at any time, making it a perfect wintertime activity.
Adapted board games, large-piece puzzles, or matching card games can also be enjoyable if they’re easy to follow and don’t rely on short-term memory or complex instructions. Our residents love to break out the board games on a rainy day.
Arts, crafts and puzzles are great dementia friendly activities that promote light mental stimulation, which can help maintain cognitive skills and provide fun in a structured setting.
Reminiscence activities
Using old photos, vintage magazines, or themed memory boxes can stimulate memories and promote storytelling, which is a form of Reminiscence Therapy (RT).
Pairing these with guided conversations encourages gentle cognitive engagement, which can promote lucidity and improve recognition. Reminiscence Therapy in its various forms is an excellent way of helping your loved one retain their sense of identity through their journey with dementia.
Gardening and nature
Whether it’s watering plants, potting herbs, or sitting outside to watch birds, engaging in nature-based activities offer sensory and emotional benefits. Even arranging artificial flowers can be a calming and familiar dementia friendly activity.
Getting out in nature has its own benefits and therapeutic effects, and gardening can tap into the long-term memory while promoting movement, relaxation and cognitive stimulation. We know it can be tough to find weather suitable for gardening, so consider a small indoor herb garden with basil, rosemary or thyme that can be pruned at the kitchen table.
Movement and gentle exercise
Chair yoga, light stretching, or walking with support are excellent ways to stay active. Simple routines with music or videos tailored for people with dementia can be highly effective. Physical activity boosts mood, circulation, and can help manage behaviours related to dementia.
Sensory stimulation
Dementia friendly activities like aromatherapy, textured fabric touch boards, or simply holding a warm, soft blanket can provide comfort. Sensory boxes filled with familiar objects (like lavender sachets, smooth stones, or old keys) can prompt conversation and recognition.
How do I know what activity is right for my loved one?
Not every activity will suit every person as each depends on where they are in their own journey with dementia. But most importantly, what matters most is the love, support and patience you can show them.
Dementia Care at Ambridge Rose
At Ambridge Rose, we specialise in compassionate dementia care. With programmes led by our diversional therapist, residents can enjoy a variety of daily dementia-friendly activities designed to encourage memory recall and reflect their many different interests.
Looking for dementia care for your loved one? Get in touch.