Ideas For Dementia Awareness Week: Dementia-Friendly Activities to Do With Your Loved One  

Dementia Awareness Week Activities 

It’s important to keep the mind active, so we’ve compiled this list of you can do with a loved one. There’s something for everyone, like creative dementia activities at home as well as physical fun outdoors. 

Get chatting 

One of the best dementia activities for the elderly is having a friendly chat! It’s that simple. Get on the sofa, make a cup of tea and get chatting. You can talk about how they are feeling or encourage them to share some of their favourite life experiences. 

Reminisce

Another great way to get the mind working for someone with dementia is by encouraging them to reminisce about some of the happiest moments of their life. They relive cherished moments by sharing their life experiences. This can be as simple as asking about their life or you can get out photo albums and videos to talk about. Seeing the smile on their face whilst they reflect on some of the happiest moments in their life is a priceless moment. It can often be easier to talk about much earlier memories for someone with dementia, some lasting memories are particularly powerful. Read our article about the powerful effect or reminiscence therapy here.

Knitting for dementia 

Knitting is always a fun way to spend time, but it is also highly beneficial for both the mind and body, with studies cited in the New York Times suggesting the craft can slow cognitive decline and foster better mental health. Whether your loved one is an experienced crafter or it’s their first time knitting, it gets the motor skills going and reduces anxiety whilst creating something beautiful. You could even work together to create ‘twiddle muffs’, knitted hand warmers which act as sensory stimulation for someone with dementia. 

Dementia puzzles 

Another great way to keep the mind active is with a dementia puzzle! Go for smaller puzzles with fewer, larger sized pieces to ensure it’s easy enough to complete and handle for those with limited mobility. . . Puzzles offer great cognitive stimulation and are known to alleviate some of the symptoms whilst offering amazing therapeutic benefits. 

Add a personalised twist by creating your very own puzzle to complete. Print out a family photo, get it laminated (if you can’t laminate, it works fine without) and then cut it out into puzzle shapes. Then work with your loved one to put it back together. The result is guaranteed to bring a smile to their face. 

Music sessions 

Music is known to get the grey matter firing, helping to unlock memories and reaching damaged parts of the brain. Put on your elderly loved one’s favourite songs for a truly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, or maybe even encourage them to pick up an instrument if they know how to play for a truly immersive and engaging activity. Watch as their face lights up and join them in a sing-along or by playing an instrument yourself. 

Enjoy a relaxing walk 

Getting physically active is known to improve wellbeing, making it an ideal activity for you and your loved one. A gentle walk amongst nature with fresh air and greenery will make for a lovely, multi-sensory experience that encourages them to engage with the world around them, helping reduce anxiety or depression and improve mood and wellbeing.  

Finding a nearby bench or seat in an outdoor space is equally as refreshing, perfect for those with reduced mobility. Even hanging out in the garden is enjoyable, and you can still reap similar benefits by simply being surrounded by nature. You could also encourage your loved one to notice things around them and list the things you spot, like plants or animals.  

Try electronic games or puzzles 

Never has there been a better time to go digital! There are loads of great games, puzzles and apps designed to help people with dementia.  

Some apps are designed to help people communicate, whilst others are made to get the mind active. There’s something for everyone so have a look on your tablet or smartphone and get downloading.