5 hobbies and activities for loved ones with dementia
Finding activities and hobbies for people with dementia can be difficult, as it’s not always clear which days are good, and which are bad. Depending upon your loved one’s progression and abilities, there are a number of things you can try to keep them entertained and interacting with the world. Something to remember is that dementia will rob some people of their initiative, so it’s a good idea to sit down with your loved one and encourage them to get started on some of these more interactive activities.
1. Building blocks
Building blocks that snap together and apart, like Lego and Duplo are a great way to stimulate problem solving and creativity. This one is dependent upon your loved one’s fine motor skills and small-muscle coordination. The word free instruction booklets on some of the sets are easy to follow, though they might just like to build freely.
2. Listen to the radio
With so many digital radio stations now readily available, finding one that plays the music of your loved one’s youth is a great way to keep them entertained. If you don’t have a digital radio, you can create your own playlist of music on a streaming service like Spotify, Apple Music, or even YouTube.
3. Simple sorting projects
Sorting objects into categories, or some kind of simple order is a great way to keep your loved one thinking and problem-solving. If you have drawers full of coloured pencils, textas, and crayons, then you could try putting them into a box, and asking your loved one to separate them for you. Telling them that it’s a special task for a local preschool or kindergarten class might make the task more interesting. You could also have them sort things like picture books, magazines, or spices. Tailor this task to your loved one’s ability.
4. Safe kitchen activities
If your loved one enjoyed cooking, or you have trouble convincing them to eat, having them help out in the kitchen can be a great way for them to pass the time. You will need to supervise carefully, and ensure you have safe utensils for them to use. If cooking isn’t their thing, but they still like to help, then asking them to set the table or wash the dishes is another good way to get them involved at meal times – you might want to pick up a set of melamine dishes, though.
5. Simple activity boards
If some of the more involved activities are too complicated for your loved one, then you might want to search online for a dementia activity board. There are a variety of these available, but most consist of a board that features simple activities like zippers, buttons, and Velcro.
Do you have any suggestions for things dementia patients can do for fun?