5 Activities for Your Loved One With Dementia

Cognition

Aug 20

Written By Katie Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Anybody that has seen or personally knows dementia understands just how devastating of a disease it is. At times it can feel as if there is a completely different person in front of you, unrecognizable to your loved one. But there are ways you can continue to do meaningful activities together if you know how to adapt with the changes thrown your way. The following activities can be easily used to tap into your loved one's strengths and become something you look forward to doing together.

1. Read the Newspaper

Use the local newspaper to orient your loved one to the date, their location, and local news. Try reading brief articles, then ask them questions about the content to stimulate their mind. Repeat the articles as necessary. Pick topics of interest to them for increased engagement and to make the time spent more meaningful.

2. Listen to Music

Music and melody have the power to bring the listener back in time. Put on your loved one's favorite singer, song, or album and watch how much they will enjoy themselves. Is your loved one still able to move steadily and independently? Try dancing to the music! If not, place them in a chair and dance while seated with arm movements.

3. Look at Photo Albums

Oftentimes in dementia, the person has relatively intact long-term memory. Pull out old photo albums to help them reminisce about their family, old friends, places they have traveled to, or hobbies they enjoyed. Don’t forget to ask questions. First, start with open-ended questions such as “who is that?” and if that is too difficult to answer, move on to closed questions such as “is that you when you were in the navy?”

4. Do Simple “Chores”

Providing your loved one simple daily tasks such as folding the laundry, setting the table or sorting objects such as buttons will make your loved one feel as if they have a purpose and will keep them busy for some time. This works especially well with people who feel like they always need something to do. Set them up with a bin of buttons and ask them to sort by color. Many individuals with dementia will gladly complete the task and it's something to keep their brain stimulated.

5. Make Crafts

If your loved one used to enjoy working with their hands, this is a perfect activity to do. This can be anything from painting to pottery as long as there is someone supervising and demonstrating steps. Having a creative outlet is wonderful for every person’s mental health and well-being. Create something together and cherish it forever.

Did you know speech-language pathologists are trained and skilled to help individuals with dementia as well as their caregivers?

We can provide ways for the caregiver to communicate more efficiently and provide aides and compensatory strategies tailored to help with any challenges you may face. We can be a supportive professional as your loved one's dementia progresses.

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, reach out to us at Neuro Speech Solutions for a free phone consultation to discuss how our speech pathologists can assist you.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katie Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Katie is the owner and founder of Neuro Speech Solutions. She is passionate about providing person-centered treatment to her clients in order to meet their life participation goals. Katie is dedicated to helping other SLPs provide functional therapy through affordable materials and education courses.