Engaging Activities for Older Adults Living with Dementia

Friendly caregiver or nurse in the retirement home helping a senior man with puzzle games. Demented old man sitting at a desk and solving wooden alphabet puzzle. Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease concept

At any age, it’s important to do everything possible to keep the mind and spirit healthy. We know that following a nutritious diet, getting exercise, addressing hearing loss and staying connected to friends and family are keys to maintaining brain health.

Older adults benefit from engaging in enriching activities that keep them active, especially if they’re living with a dementia diagnosis. Having opportunities to connect with others and maintain a sense of identity are healthy ways to cope with aging and cognitive challenges.

Four Meaningful Ways to Engage Individuals Living with Dementia

According to dementia expert Teepa Snow, all human beings participate in four types of activities that make up our daily lives:

  1. Work. These are purposeful activities that demonstrate competence and skills, whether performed on the job, in a volunteer capacity or at home.
  2. Leisure. These are pursuits we engage in just for fun.
  3. Self-care. These are tasks done to take care of ourselves, our bodies and our homes to keep things clean, neat and functioning well.
  4. Rest. These are restorative activities that allow us to replenish our energy and relax.

Together, these four categories of activities help manage stress, create a positive sense of self and provide a feeling of control and mastery in our lives. This is true for all people, whether they have dementia or not. Yet, dementia patients can lose sight of how to manage tasks they once enjoyed or took pride in.

Bringing Comfort and Enjoyment to Everyday Life with Dementia

To help a loved one diagnosed with dementia stay engaged and active, it’s helpful to begin with an understanding of “how they’ve always been;” that is, get to know their likes and dislikes, past roles and strengths and what has been enjoyable or meaningful to them throughout their lives.

Questions to ask:

  1. What do you like to do?
  2. What are you physically able to do?
  3. What are your values and preferences about preferred activities?

For example, if the older adult always took pride in keeping their house tidy and organized, he or she may find a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and comfort in performing familiar tasks around the house with the help of a companion. On the other hand, if the senior hated housework, their energies might be better spent doing something more enjoyable for them.

Examples of vital activities for someone living with dementia:

  • Work – household chores, folding laundry, organizing clothes and belongings, gardening, yard work, sweeping, watering plants, feeding birds.
  • Leisure – going for a walk, traveling, crafting, scrapbooking, outdoor activities, dining out, playing board games and cards, puzzles, watching sports, cooking, playing an instrument, taking an exercise or yoga class.
  • Self-care – taking a relaxing shower, getting hair and nails done, spa day, catching up on doctor’s appointments, shopping for comfortable clothes and shoes, getting help around the house, hiring someone to make repairs, eating favorite foods.
  • Resttaking a nap, watching favorite shows and movies, reading, sitting on a porch, listening to music, meditating, going to a place of worship.

Helping someone who is living with dementia tap into their cherished memories is a meaningful way to connect. It’s important that those affected by dementia continue to participate in activities that are meaningful to them and that bring a sense of purpose to their lives. Family and friends may:

  • Look at photo albums and ask about family history.
  • Encourage the person to talk about subjects they enjoy or are knowledgeable about.
  • Ask the person to recall the past, such as details about their childhood, siblings, education, pets they’ve loved or their first date or first car.
  • Maintain family holiday traditions, including music, special recipes, decorating and watching home videos or movies.

Companion Care and In-Home Care for Dementia

Kadan Homecare’s compassionate caregivers serve Alzheimer’s and dementia patients with a high level of skilled nursing and advanced care. We can support those living with dementia by providing:

  • Secure transportation to outside activities and appointments.
  • Oversight and supervision of diet and medications.
  • Help participating in favorite hobbies and pastimes.
  • Assistance with bathing, dressing, and eating.

For more information or to talk with our team about care at home for seniors living with Alzheimer’s or dementia in the Atlanta area, call 770-396-8997 or email info@kadan.org.

Scroll to Top