11 Best Activities for Dementia Patients at Home

The number of people facing dementia is growing every year, and hence, it is necessary to create a comforting and stimulating environment for the ones serving with dementia. Moreover, staying active can yield many physical and cognitive health benefits for dementia patients. Exercise, music, games, and art are just a few that have helped individuals who have dementia. 

There is no doubt that patients with dementia need special care and attention, especially when it comes to engaging in activities that stimulate their minds, encourage them to interact socially, and allow them to experience various emotions. This is where True Homecare comes in. We at True Homecare understand the importance of special personalized care to individuals with dementia, helping them enjoy enriching activities from the comfort of their homes. 

In this article, we aim to uncover the 11 best activities for dementia patients at home that will improve their quality of life and overall well-being and let them enjoy an enriching experience. 

Activities for Dementia Patients at Home

Here are a variety of engaging activities for dementia patients that can be enjoyed from the comfort of their homes. These activities will not only give patients who have dementia an enjoyable experience but will also benefit their cognitive health and emotional tranquillity. 

1. Memory Lane: Evoking Memories Through Nostalgia

One of the most effective at-home activities for dementia patients is taking a trip down memory lane. Share old photos, mementoes, and familiar music to spark memories and conversations. These reminiscence memory activities for dementia are beneficial for stimulating the mind and offer patients a sense of comfort and familiarity. They let individuals suffering from dementia connect with their past and loved ones. 

The dementia care services at True Homecare help individuals with dementia retain and remember cherished memories and stories and rebuild meaningful connections with their families and loved ones.

2. Engaging the Senses for a Sensory Stimulation:

Keeping the five senses engaged is crucial for individuals with dementia, as it can help form strong and meaningful connections and evoke emotions. Activities such as gardening, cooking, and arts and crafts are things for dementia patients to do with their hands. These activities keep them busy and provide tactile, olfactory, and gustatory stimulation, improving their sensory experience and emotional well-being. 

The trained caregivers at True Homecare ensure the incorporation of sensory stimulation in daily activities for individuals requiring Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, offering holistic care that nurtures both their mind and body. 

3. Music Therapy:

One powerful and unique activity for people with dementia is Music Therapy. Music can profoundly affect individuals with dementia, triggering memories and emotions associated with various songs. Music therapy can involve both listening to favorite tunes or songs and creating your own music. It can be a powerful tool to improve mood, reduce agitation, and improve cognitive function in dementia patients. With music therapy, you can create a positive and uplifting environment for dementia patients, which can improve their overall well-being and quality of life. 

4. Remembering and Sharing Memories with Storytelling:

Storytelling is one of the activities for dementia patients to do at home. It could be a great way for individuals with dementia to share and preserve the cherished memories of their lives. Storytelling can also be a therapeutic way to promote self-expression and cultivate strong and meaningful connections with others. Whether done verbally or through writing, it gives individuals with dementia an opportunity to remember and share their memories, experiences, and wisdom. Moreover, it creates a supportive environment for the patients, making them feel valued, heard and understood. 

5. Keeping the Mind Sharp with Games and Puzzles:

Puzzles and games for dementia patients are a way to keep the mind sharp and engaged. Other than being a source of entertainment, these are excellent cognitive exercises as well. By participating in and solving puzzles and games, dementia patients can improve their memory, attention and problem-solving skills. 

Simple games, such as cards, dominoes, and puzzles, suited to the patient’s abilities, can offer hours of enjoyment while stimulating cognitive function. For example, card games like solitaire and matching games like dominoes can help improve mental ability and function. Moreover, puzzle games for dementia patients, like jigsaws, can be an excellent way to enhance problem-solving skills. 

Games for Elderly with Dementia:

Games for the elderly need to be suited to their abilities. Here is a list of games for elderly with dementia:

• Matching Games: Matching games could be a great way to improve memory and attention. Provide the individuals with a set of cards and encourage them to match ones with similar images. 
• Simple Card Games: Play simple card games like solitaire that help improve cognitive function and ability.
• Puzzle Games: Providing puzzle games with large and easy-to-handle pieces and simple designs suited for individual needs is a great way to improve problem-solving skills. 
• Trivia Games: Have individuals participate in trivia games focused on topics they are familiar with, such as music, movies from their era or history. These games are good memory stimulators and also improve social interactions.
• Word Games: Simple word games like crossword puzzles help maintain language skills and mental agility.
• Bingo Games: Organise a bingo game with large, easy-to-read and simple rules. Bingo is a fun social activity that not only gives individuals a chance to socialise but also has a positive effect on memory and cognitive function.
• Balloon Games: Organise simple balloon games such as keeping the balloon in the air for physical activity and exercise. 
• Music Games: Play music-related games; music can evoke certain memories and emotions, making it a beneficial activity for individuals with dementia. 

6. Expressing Yourself with Art & Creative Expression:

Unique activities for seniors with dementia, like art and creative expression, can offer a therapeutic outlet for self-expression and emotional release. Participating in activities like painting, drawing, and crafting lets individuals explore their creative side and find joy in the process. 

Art is a great nonverbal way for dementia patients to connect with their loved ones and communicate their feelings. Art is an outlet for everyone, even for those who suffer from verbal communication. 

Moreover, art can improve various abilities, including memory, attention and decision-making. For example,  drawing and painting from memory can improve attention and memory recall, while planning what to draw can help with cognitive functions and decision-making abilities. 

7. Improving Physical and Mental Health with Exercise and Movement:

Physical activities for dementia patients are essential to maintain overall health and well-being. Gentle exercises such as short walks and dancing can improve mobility, balance, and coordination. Physical activity releases the body’s natural feel-good hormone i.e. endorphin, which helps manage the symptoms of depression and anxiety often felt by dementia patients. 

Participating in physical activities also gives dementia patients a chance to socialise and build connections, which is essential for maintaining cognitive function and emotional health. 

Whether you want to have a walk in the park or participate in group activities, trained caregivers at True Homecare ensure that dementia patients are involved in activities that promote both physical and mental well-being.

8. Group Activities and Social Interaction:

Group Activities and Social Interactions are essential for individuals with dementia, offering them a sense of connection and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Group activities like singing, games, and discussions provide individuals with opportunities to build strong and meaningful connections and emotional support. True Homecare understands the importance of social interaction for Alzheimer’s and dementia care and hence organises activities for dementia patients that develop a feeling of companionship and community among individuals.

Through activities that promote social interaction, you can easily build a supportive environment that will enhance the overall well-being and quality of life for dementia patients. Moreover, these group activities encourage sharing experiences, reminiscing and building meaningful relationships, contributing to their cognitive and emotional health. 

9. Nature and Outdoor Activities:

Nature and outdoor activities offer a therapeutic escape to dementia patients. Here is how you can use these to keep dementia patients busy.

1. Outdoor activities and engaging with nature and surroundings offer sensory stimulation. The sights, sounds and smells provide a rich experience that evokes positive emotions. 
2. Spending time in nature has a calming effect on the mind and the body and reduces stress and anxiety. The peace in the natural environment is beneficial for dementia patients as it is relaxing and calming. 
3. Outdoor activities, such as walking, gardening, yoga, and games, are things that keep dementia patients busy. These outdoor activities improve overall health and mobility as well as strength, balance, and coordination. 
4. For many people, being in nature is a source of inner peace. Dementia patients may even find peace in nature, feeling a sense of belonging amidst the natural environment. 
5. Outdoor activities also provide an opportunity to socialise and interact with others. Dementia patients can form long-lasting relations with others by participating in group outdoor activities.

True Homecare understands the effect nature and outdoor activities can have on individuals. Hence, our caregivers ensure that such activities are a part of the daily routine for people with dementia, providing them with meaningful experiences that promote physical, emotional and cognitive well-being.

10. Reminiscence Therapy:

Reminiscence therapy plays an important role in improving the memory and cognitive function of dementia patients. With this therapy, you can stimulate memories and emotions related to past experiences. With prompts like photos, memorable objects, and conversations, reminiscence activity can be used to evoke nostalgia and connection in individuals with dementia, improving cognitive function and overall well-being.

True Homecare ensures the incorporation of reminiscence therapy so that individuals with dementia can reflect on their lives and share their stories with others. 

11. Animal Assisted Therapy:

Bring joy and comfort to the lives of dementia patients through furry friends who not only brighten the day but also uplift the spirits. Animal-assisted therapy can be incredibly beneficial for dementia patients. Animals can be a source of companionship, emotional support, a sense of comfort and well-being. Moreover, trained animals can help reduce anxiety, making the patients feel calmer and relaxed. Animals also interact with dementia patients, improving the quality of their lives. 

How to Personalise Activities for Dementia Patients:

It is important to remember that each dementia patient is unique, having their own personality, preferences, interests and hobbies. Hence, it is essential to personalise activities so that they are better suited for each patient’s needs. Here is how you can personalise various activities, ensuring that they are better suited for individual needs. 

1. As a caregiver, you need to spend time with the patient to understand their interests and hobbies. This will not only help you in making activities more enjoyable for them, but you will also be able to build a better connection with them.
2. Consider the cognitive and physical abilities of each individual before planning any activity. Ensure that the activities are suited to the individual’s skills and are not overly challenging for them. 
3. Don’t just stick to one activity; provide a variety of activities so that the patient has options to choose from based on their mood and preferences. Moreover, it is essential for the caregiver to be flexible and adjust activities according to the changing interests and abilities of the individuals. 
4. Caregivers should closely observe the response of each individual, noting what they enjoy and what they find challenging. This will help with future activity planning.

With personalised activities, patients can maintain a sense of independence. Whether it be reading, sports or spending time with pets, True Homecare tailors activities to match the preferences and abilities of each individual and provides personalised care to improve the quality of life and overall well-being.

Examples of Personalised Activities for Dementia Patients to Do at Home

Here are some examples of personalised activities that dementia patients can do at home:

• For individuals who enjoy reading, provide a collection of books on the topics they find interesting. 
• Create personalised playlists with the patient’s favourite songs. You can even encourage them to sing along or play the tunes on a musical instrument. 
• For individuals who are creative and enjoy arts and crafts, offer a variety of art supplies so that they can spend their time doing or painting what they like. 
• Go outside and let them participate in activities they like, whether it be walking, birdwatching or simply sitting outside to enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine. 
• Go down memory lane and have a look at the old photographs and family videos, or talk to them about significant events in their life. 
• If they enjoy gardening, then have them participate in simple gardening tasks such as watering the plants and planting flowers.
• If the patients are fond of animals, they should be introduced to therapy animals or friendly pets. 
• Encourage the patients to get involved in simple cooking and baking activities that they used to enjoy. Choose recipes that are easy to follow and have tasks like mixing, stirring or decorating.

Opt for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care at True Homecare:

A common reason behind depression, anxiety and withdrawal in individuals with dementia is the lack of activity. If you are experiencing emotional and behavioural challenges with the person you care for, consider incorporating activities into their daily routine. Engaging activities play an important role in improving the quality of life for dementia patients at home. 

At True Homecare, we are committed to providing the best possible care for our clients. We incorporate different activities into their daily routine to ensure they don’t feel depressed or alone. To learn more about our Alzheimer’s and dementia care services, visit our website or contact us today. 

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