20 Practical Activities for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease

Hi

This place is brilliant! So many ideas I will try out

Chloe

It is mainly trial and error to see what the residents like to do

I think musical activities are good because people with dementia can usually sing songs even if they do not speak

There are many musical activities you can do

https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/

I like to play name that tune with songs they know instead of playing the Notes I say the first word in the Title and then if they don’t get the song say the second word and so forth

Then we sing that song

Nother thing to do is table ball using a balloon or a beach ball

I usually set up two tables and count how many hits they can get without the ball or balloon falling on the floor

It will be a lot of exercise for you but I usually have residents sitting around a table sometimes I would put a piece of yarn on the ball with tape and then tape it to the table but usually the tape fallls off but at least it will save you from having to get the ball a lot

You can have the higher functioning residents be your helpers which seems to work well if you have some who could do something

Another idea is simple trivia with residents

True and false questions are the best because you have a 50% chance of being right

https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?search_tag=Activity&search=True%20and%20false%20questions

You need to include everyone in the group you need to be enthusiastic entertaining and engaging

Oh I think of it like doing a performance

Here are some ideas about getting reluctant resident to Activities

https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-get-reluctant-residents-to-attend-activities/5980/

If you need more help let me know I have many many ideas

Hi everyone I hope your all well

I’ve recently started a job at a dementia care home and my main job in entertaining the residents, my first week I’ve been struggling a lot with everyone being so different and it being a big group to try and entertain I never no what to do with them, I feel staff look at me and think im not doing my job right as I sit abit blank just thinking what do to and trying to keep them awake and entertained, any ideas on what indoor/outdoor activities I can do with them? Most of my residents can’t walk very well and are very stiff.. I’ve tried things like coloring and puzzles ect but they don’t seem very into it and watch me do it set from getting involved.

Thanks

Chloe

Hi Lorraine

I agree that a sing-along is a good idea

There are many ways to do a sing-along

I like to play name that tune but instead of playing the Notes to a song I’ll give them words to the title and see who can guess the title of this song and then we sing that song

There are other sing-along ideas on Golden carers

https://www.goldencarers.com/themed-sing-along---songs-starting-with-im-/3715/

https://www.goldencarers.com/theres-a-hole-in-the-bucket-sing-along/7894/

There are many others as well

I work with a small group of people who have dementia and it is sometimes difficult to get them involved as a group, for different reasons, however, I have found singalong brings them together and engages each of them for half and hour to an hour. I don't usually have music so we sing songs which we all know/remember, relate to. Residents are relaxed and not agitated during this time which is usually approximately 3pm. A couple of residents are looking to go home or catching a bus about this time. Singalong distracts them.

Muchísimas gracias se me hace muy interesante todo lo que He leído voy a iniciar una escuela para adulto mayor y me gustaron todas las actividades para aplicarlas

Two years ago I made a fiddle muff for my husband who thought it was"a load of rubbish" now two years later he loves it, I think we just have to be aware of the progression of the illness. I LOVE THIS SITE. We do a quick activity every day and a big activity, about an hour, once or twice a week. There are so many ideas no-one needs to be stuck even with little or no money Thank-you so very much. Not all work but no reason to give up.

Hi everyone I joined this week and can't wait to see see what I can offer my resident am new coordinator so this is all new as I have been lifestyle assistant any help or advice would be great .

Hi everyone, I joined last Sunday, I’m just loving this site

Thanks for all your great Ideas.

I have been given a box of Lego and was wondering if you would recommend it or not?

Maybe for building and colour & shape sorting.

Cheers guys lots of info thanks.

I would take my mom to the local library and watch You Tube videos, searching for things like "babies laughing" and cute baby animals, etc. She enjoyed them, and it's nice to spend time in a public place.

Thank you for sharing these great activities for Alzheimer's patients. These activities will keep them engaged and entertained and will develop their cognitive skills.

I gave my husband a bump bag, the sort you take on holidays and tie around your waist. It had numerous sections and zippers that I filled with coins, Bali note currency, some of the smaller items that he liked as well as a bandaid, soft lollies, his own personal ID card, his old driver's licence, etc. I saved it for when we were going out and I knew that he would not have the ability to sit for too long. He loved it and it gave him something to talk about with others.

Just wondering if play dough is ok also the kinetic sand that the kids play with would be ok ? Or would that be an infection control issue thanks in advance

Hi I work in dementia care unit and trying to get residents to take part can sometimes be hard , any simple games I could do that would keep them interested please

I teach sit down Qi Gong & some Two Chi. It's amazing what residents can do. I make it fun. Other activities I do with them is nursery rhymes...I start them, they finish them, she with old songs, trivial sayings like It' raining...., Beach ball kicks, and very interesting I give them capital city & They tell me what state. Interesting is that they knew all but 5. If course laughter, hugs, just getting into their world to make it an enjoyable time

Hello Every One, There are so many great comments here. I am going to comment on one and give an idea that we do in my facility.

I am the memory care coordinator in my facility. Budget is always an issue for a small facility in a small town. There are activities that take little or no money to do. A folding box can be old towels, wash clothes or socks, a sorting game can be a deck of cards, a fiddle box can be some items that you may have at home and no longer need and an old purse make a great activity for some ladies.

In our memory care we have started a "My Story" book for each resident. we have a questionnaire we ask families to complete such as where I attended school, my favorite color, favorite food, When I married etc. We then take this information a write a story. We also ask the family for photos to go along with the story. we use our office printer to copy the photos then give the original photos back to the family. we add the photos to the story book. We ask family and friends to add stories to the book. we also add pictures we take to the book. We now have a wonderful on going story book we can reminisce with our resident and families with. We love our"My Story" book. I use a binder and plastic sleeve protectors as well as colored paper to attach pictures to and write our stores on. I use the sheet protectors so we can add more information to pictures and families can add information to pictures There is nothing fancy about our story book except for the stories inside. Many times I can find binders in the clearance section of Walmart after school starts. Our Walmart is also generous to donate items as well.

Thanks and I look forward to reading about great ideas and suggetions every day.

You activities are wonderful for those in care homes. There is however one problem. If you are an activity person, it is you who is expected to pay for all materials that you use with residents on care home.

Care homes also have mixed residents - you may have those with dementia and also those with stroke or even parkinsons. All have to have separate activities to engage them.

There was the issue of activities fatigue as well raised. Activity therapists are "at the bottom of the pile" as far as being recognised in the caring/nursing environment. There is is little support provided for activity providers and you first have to motivate yourself before you embark on an activity with residents.

Your show a very "rosy" picture of life for an activity provider but this is far from the real world of low pay and little recognition.

While sorting out my activity boxes that are used with our Special Needs residents, I found my marbles/rubber bath mat activity. Turn the bath mat over and you have lots of rubber suction cups.With the resident, I then demonstate placing a marble on several suction cups. We also talk about the different sized/coloured marbles and make patterns. It's quite a relaxing activity as they watch/focus on the marbles.Also, I purchase boxes for each activity, label them and keep track of their contents. If staff wish to use them when AO's are not working, I remind them to return to the trolley when finished with. It's a shame if your hard work is misplaced. Education is key.Cheers all!

What would you recommend fo a former printer

Great ideas! I have a few ladies that will sort and fold socks for hours. They love it. And your laundry department will love you!

I am working in a small facility and the residents with the very good cognitive skills ,want to stay in their room, there fore the residents that do come out into the activity room either have various stages of Dementia or visually Impaired .Has anybody got any ideas , as we only have 1 Therapy Assistant on at one time , the only activity that is popular is Bingo, the visually impaired residents like the quizs but the Dementia residents struggle.Kathy

Love love these ideas there great.We have found a use for old scratched Cd,s making them into photo mobiles covering only one side with there photo leaving the other side to shine in the sunlight they love these good idea to put above there room doors to.

Those are the wonderful great idea we all are sharing together I work in facility most residents have Alzimas decease but all of them participate with different type of activities,that help to stimulate senses . I love to hear more feedback from other staff who invole for lifestyle activities

What wonderful ideas.. I have been making activity blankets, and having a ball. This is a new project for me. Most people don't know how to make these things for their friends and loved ones.

I am going to make up several of these.

Thank You, for the ideas.

An activity that our residents enjoy is hitting a balloon with fly swats, they will get increased exercise as they reach out to hit the balloon, purchased alot of fly swats and labeled them for activity use only.

Love these ideas and today I am taking in my old button box to sort through with a resident. I thought I'd take in my big office pencil sharpener with the side handle to see if they would enjoy doing this too plus we get all the office pencils sharpened!

Also I am thinking of taking my shoe cleaning kit in to see if it nidges a some memories. All with me by their side of course...

Hello Carol. Don't beat yourself up over this. You will find that 1:1 is more beneficial and if they have dementia you won't be able to do group activities for any length of time. It is hard to do activities if they are asleep. As for the carers they don't understand 99% of the time. You are the Activity Officer and we think differently to others.

Can anyone offer advice please?

Our nursing home is small and most residents wheelchair bound and sleepy with medications.

I am finding it extreamly difficult to engage residents therfore facing negativity from staff who me as not doing a good job.

1-2-1 they are more engaging but very difficult to do any group work. Help

Thank you! so much for all the great ideas as I am learning, and going college to work with seniors. This really helps me a lot.

maria some where deep inside your partner will still feel when your around you will have to be his memory sing tell storys he will love that

Hi Maria,

Your husband is a very lucky man to have you. Taking care of someone with dementia is rather challenging and the most important aspect of this job you already have; love. Take one day at time and remember to look after yourself as well. Regarding activities just continue to do the usual at this early stage, and seek help when the illness progresses. I wish you all the luck!

Hi my partner he not yet in dementia the dr said he finally gonna by in that position i love him very much i so stress .he star to forget .please could you help me

Jacqui 4 August 2014

Hi Melanie, you might like to try mobile snoezelen, decorate attrolley with lights and oil burner and take from room to room,residents really enjoy and find it very stimulating

Hi Melanie,

You may try sensory blankets, individual balloon game, singing, sensory boxes, and poems reading. If your clients have severe communication deficit you may try to hang hand-made mobiles in their rooms with pictures of animals, flowers, children, scenery. Change the mobile every week. Also you could try to place a tall plant in their bedrooms in full view of the client. Good luck!

Hi guys,

I really need help, I work in a nursing home and am in a part of the nursing home on Monday where my residents are in air beds. What other activities could you suggest besides sensory, hand massage.

I have just started a new job as a therapist in a dementia ward & loving it, please help me with some ideas for the residents. Regards Paula.

I am putting together a doll therapy program and a baby reminisce program. I would appreciate any ideas and approaches.

Hi

Thanks for all you're fab ideas I am trying to do diffrent activitys and have had some great ideas. I'm going to make a memory box with memorys in and I mite also now make fiddle blankets :) please if anyone has any more ideas let me no I'm always looking for new things to do with the residents I am also applying for a social care facilitator job aswell so any advice or ideas for that would be fab thanks everyone! X

Hi Seeja,

Regarding your comment about the lady who enjoys cleaning. I wouldn't try very hard to change what the lady is doing. She obviously has done cleaning and mopping before and she enjoys it.

I would keep inviting her to other activities and hopefully one day she decides to try something else. It is better to see them doing something they like and do well than frustrated doing something they don’t think they do well.

Solange

I have table cloths that residents like folding - 'i ask if they could do me a favour first so they assume they're doing it to help out with my job' It seems to bring satisfaction, although honestly they go straight to the laundry to be washed

Thanks for your great ideas.

I have a lady coming in my day care centre.She likes sweeping and mopping.Infact she thinks that she visits the day care centre for doing cleaning jobs.she never sits except for playing cards. I have tried so many activities but i couldnt recognise anything thats suits her.Please suggest some ideas.

Thanks

sheeja

Picture puzzles are a good way to engage the residents I use old calander for this and the residents love then.

I have my first day with activities next week. Trying to find many different things to occupy their minds. Woild like themed days for special events.

I regularly play music which we all sing/hum too.The fun really starts when we bring out the musical instruments. Staff come from far and wide and join in . The residents faces are priceless!

Give it a go. I purchased cheap, good quality instruments from Aldi ( awhile back now)

Cheers

Karen

Sounds great, will use in my group assignment on activities for Alzheimer's Disease.

In the Dementia Ward where I did the Therapy the most exciting event we did was every Friday lunch when we had fish and chips. I would put servings of fish and chips with a little salt and wrap these in butchers paper. We would sit outside in our under cover area and unwrap the fish and chips and they would eat them with their fingers right down to dabbing their fingers on the salt. We would reminise holiday times at the beach which back in their time is where they used to go at holiday times. Not only for the reminiscing factor it even got the residents who wouldn't eat to eat their lunch. Occasionaly we would decorate with umbrellas and other seaside things.