By Amy Sheridan, Seasons Program Director

Dementia can affect people in different ways. Although it’s necessary to acknowledge your loved one’s disease and impairment, it’s just as important to learn about their strengths and remaining abilities and find enjoyable activities that support these. Activities help people with dementia engage with life and feel purpose. Whether it’s counting and sorting objects by shape or color, playing card games, arranging flowers, doing puzzles, or tending a small garden, entertainment and social interaction can reduce agitation, challenging behaviors, and depression as well as increase quality of life. Sharing these experiences can help build new memories, and it will give you something to talk about with your loved one.

Four reasons why activities are important for those living with dementia:

1. Slow the decline

• As the saying goes, “use it or lose it.” Even though we mean well by helping as much as we can, we may end up helping too much.
• Continuing to do as many activities and daily tasks as independently as possible benefits seniors with dementia.
• Instead of automatically helping with a task, we should adapt activities as needed to allow them to do as much as possible for as long as possible.
• That can help them retain abilities and stay active for longer.

2. Provide daily structure

• People with dementia do best with a consistent daily routine.
• Having structure to the day gives needed predictability and stability when their mind is making them feel disoriented or confused.

3. Give a feeling of productivity

• As dementia progresses, older adults may feel capable of less and often feel like a burden.
• Helping them participate in everyday tasks and activities can boost mood and improve quality of life.

4. Reduce challenging behaviors

• Activities can also reduce common behaviors, like agitation, repeated questions, and anger.
• This keeps them engaged and occupied as well as giving them a way to use their energy in a positive way.
• Spending time with a family member or friend who is living with dementia can be meaningful and fun—especially if you take your cue from the person. What do they like to do? What are they able to do? What are they in the mood for today?

Do something outside.

• Take a walk
• Plant or water flowers
• Feed the birds
• Rake leaves
• Sit on a bench or a swing
• Watch dogs at a dog park
• Play catch or toss a ball
• Sweep the porch or patio
• Set up a picnic in the backyard

Do something inside.

• Listen to the person’s favorite music
• Look at family photo albums
• Model with play dough
• Play checkers or dominos
• Identify states on a U.S. map
• Complete a puzzle together
• Read from one of their favorite books
• Ask the person about his or her past
• Play a card game

Do something personal.

• Give the person a hand massage or manicure
• Brush his or her hair
• Encourage the person to talk more about subjects they enjoy
• Make a family tree posterboard

Do something in the kitchen.

• Bake cookies or bread
• Set the table
• Wash and dry dishes
• Put silverware away

It doesn’t matter if the activity needs to be done or if it is done well. If it doesn’t work, you can always try something else. Be patient and you will figure out what works.

Seasons Adult Day Health Services is here to provide daytime engagement for your loved one living with cognitive changes. To learn more about Seasons Adult Day Health Services and how our center may be a great fit for you, contact our Family Support Manager, Christin Cardani, at 989-633-3767.