EEngaging individuals with dementia – it’s probably one of my favorite topics to speak to!
I will never forget the first time I visited a memory care and the impact it had on me. Individuals were sleeping in wheelchairs, slumped on tables with their heads in their arms – or staring at a blank wall. I remember thinking to myself, “there has to be a better way.”
And there is!
Simply parking an individual in front of the television is not engagement. And while it may seem “easier” to do that, in the long term it can actually make the life of the caregiver much more difficult.
Engagement – a meaningful and purposeful day – is SO important for someone with dementia, and for many reasons.
Engagement helps maintain function. Both cognitively and physically, studies have shown benefits to maintaining abilities longer through activities. The longer someone with dementia can maintain abilities, the better it will be for them and their caregivers.
Engagement helps decrease challenging behaviors. Activity plays a significant role in reducing anxiety and stress, therefore managing challenging behaviors. A person with dementia who is engaged in meaningful, enjoyable, and purposeful activities throughout the day will be less likely to express themselves in ways that are difficult for the caregiver. Pair this with a structured routine and dementia aware environment and life will be much easier for everyone involved.
Engagement encourages better rest at night. Someone who is engaged and active throughout the day will be far more likely to get (and need) a good night’s rest.
Engagement can help boost the self esteem of the person living with dementia. When someone does things they enjoy, things that make them feel successful, accomplished, or needed, the experience tremendous feelings of well being.
Types of Activities
- Physical exercise
Physical exercise should be a part of each day for someone living with dementia – and many exercises can be adapted for someone in a wheelchair. One of the first questions I always ask when consulting in behavior management is this: “Are they exercising and being active every day?” If not, try one of these:
- Going for a walk
- Chair exercises (youtube is a GREAT option for this!)
- Chair (or standing) dancing
- Chair yoga
- Stretches
- Stationary bike (consult your physician)
2. Cognitive activities
Just as we work our bodies, we should work our brain. Consider some of these activities for your loved one:
- Large print word search
- Simplified crossword
- Paging through the daily newspaper
- Play checkers or dominoes
- Uno or “war” with large print cards
- Read a book or read aloud
- Identify states on a map, or states and capitals
- Page through a magazine
- Match items or matching games
- Play Finish the Phrase
- Say prayers or read the bible together
3. Outdoor activities
- Gardening
- Plant flowers
- Go to a park
- Feed the birds
- Rake leaves
- Watch dogs at a dog park
- Drink a beverage on the porch
- Toss a ball
- Play cornhole or horseshoes
4. Music and art. Don’t be afraid to try something new. A daughter once said to me, “Oh my dad will never paint – he’s not into that sort of thing.” I watched later that morning as her father meticulously painted a sunset scene, mesmerized by the colors.
- Listen to music
- Play Name That Tune
- Attend a free virtual music event together
- Sing
- Paint
- Color
- Take photos together
- Knit, crochet, or simply roll yarn into a ball
- Page through old pattern books with someone who enjoyed sewing
- Modeling clay
- Use magazines or colored paper to make collage art
- Make cards
- Make jewelry with large beads
5. Sensory and personal care
- Smell essential oils
- Give the person a hand massage with lotion
- Have a “mini-makeover”
- Brush his or her hair
- Give the person a manicure
- Create a “rummage box” filled with safe items for the person to go through
6. Purposeful activities
- Bake something in the kitchen
- Snap beans or shuck corn
- Set the table
- Wash or dry dishes
- Fold laundry
- Sort socks or buttons
- Shelve books
- Clip coupons
In all activity and engagement here are some best practices:
Invite via “its time to” vs “do you want to.” Someone with dementia may struggle to understand what you are saying and simply default to “no” because they are unsure. Sometimes an invite is unnecessary. Simply start doing the activity and ask them for their help.
Keep the end goal in mind. The goal is not that the individual does something with perfection, the goal is that they have a good experience. Encourage them to try and praise their work. Never re-do their work in front of them.
Keep it brief. 20-30 minutes is plenty of time for someone with dementia.
If something doesn’t work, try something else – or try again later. Something may not work the first time, but it will the next time.
Keep it safe. Know your person and the safety concerns. Someone who tends to put non-food items in their mouth should not make jewelry or use modeling clay unsupervised. Use common sense.
Adapt activities. Nearly every activity can be adapted to match the remaining abilities of the individual. I often us the example of baking cookies and adapting it to the stages of dementia:
- Early stage: they may help set out supplies, read the recipe, measure, etc.
- Middle stage: they may likely pour, stir, roll, etc.
- Late/End stage: they may likely experience the activity through their senses – smell, touch, taste, see, and hear the experience.
Download our free guide to planning a daily routine and activities for your loved one.
