Engaging Divisions for Individuals with Dementia: Top 30 Entertaining Pursuits
Dementia, a decline in cognitive ability, can be a challenging condition for both the affected individuals and their caregivers. However, there are various activities that can help improve the quality of life for those living with dementia, offering cognitive, physical, and social benefits.
Indoor Activities
Creative Arts
Activities like painting, music therapy, and crafts invite participation without requiring memory or logic, helping reduce confusion and offering emotional comfort. Simple cognitive games and puzzles encourage mental stimulation, promote social interaction, and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Reminiscence Therapy
Sharing memories triggered by familiar objects or music can enhance cognitive function and emotional connection. Interactive video games, tailored to cognitive abilities, improve memory recall, problem-solving, and hand-eye coordination while fostering social bonds.
Other Indoor Activities
Doing arts and crafts can be a way for a person with dementia to express themselves and give them a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Writing cards or letters may gently remind a person with dementia who certain family members are and bring up memories of that person. Dementia support groups may provide social and emotional benefits, allowing them to cope better with their condition.
Outdoor Activities
Gardening
Engaging in planting, digging, or weeding offers physical exercise and sensory stimulation. Familiar plants can evoke memories and conversation, supporting cognitive function and emotional well-being.
Walking
Outdoor walks provide gentle exercise, mental stimulation through varied natural sights and sounds, and opportunities for relaxed social interaction. Planning for fatigue with benches and snacks is beneficial.
Nature Exposure
Fresh air, natural light, and sensory experiences help reduce stress, improve mood, boost Vitamin D for bone and immune health, and trigger positive memories and emotions.
Additional Activities
Feeding or watching birds can provide people with stress reduction, improved mental health, a connection to nature, and reduced anxiety. Playing instruments may help a person with dementia reminisce and feel more connected with themselves. Card games may help a person with dementia improve their memory, cognition, and social communication skills.
Technology-Assisted Activities
Video calls can help a person with dementia stay connected to their family from the safety of a familiar environment and help with feelings of isolation or loneliness. Finger painting can provide sensory stimulation for a person with dementia and be a fun way for a child and a person with dementia to bond.
Therapeutic Approach
When planning activities for a person with dementia, it's essential to ensure the activities are safe and beneficial for that individual. Try to do things at a similar time each day, match the activity to the person's ability, choose activities that are fun for everyone, help the person get started, decide if the person can do the activity alone or if they need help, watch to see if the person gets frustrated, ensure the person has fun and feels successful, and let them watch the activity if they prefer.
These activities contribute to dignity, a sense of purpose, emotional connection, and improved quality of life for individuals with dementia by addressing cognitive, physical, and social needs in a supportive way.
- Retargeting the activities for individuals with dementia during specific times each day can create a routine that is beneficial and reduces confusion.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, engaging in technology-assisted activities such as video calls can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation associated with the condition.
- In addition to artistic endeavors like painting, music therapy, or finger painting, playing instruments may also stimulate mental-health and aid in reminiscence for those dealing with dementia.
