100 Meaningful Activities for Dementia Patients

The primary goal of a meaningful activity is to stimulate a dementia patient and not lead to frustration. 

If an activity is not stimulating and engaging, then it is not worth trying. 

So what is the first think that pops up in your mind when you are thinking of an activity to engage a person with Alzheimer disease?  

In real life situations, dementia patients, no matter their residence - be it those in assisted living, nursing home and private home care are often under-stimulated and frustrated with their environment.

For that simple reason I have carefully categories some meaningful activities you shall see as you read further.

But first remember this…

Before you choose an activity, make sure it is appropriate with the person’s age, physical ability, and interest. 

What is a meaningful activity?

This is an activity that totally grabs the person’s attention, is fully engaging and gives a sense of satisfaction to that person.  

Why are meaningful activities important? 

These activities are important because: 

• They include everything that we do in our life,
• They are more than a way to just pass time.
• These activities all provide different benefits for well-being. 

Goals to achieve:

• To maintain and improve memory.
• Boost self-esteem.
• To enhance socialization with family and friends. 
• To avoid boredom.
• To maintain verbal skills and improve social skill. 
• To promote good physical health. 

100 Meaningful Activities for Dementia Patients

Most dementia patients are often isolated and it is of your best interest if your loves ones don’t feel drag and depress.  One way of eliminating isolation is to engage them in meaningful activities. 

I have carefully categories meaningful activities into five types alongside 20 examples under each category. 

#1. Productivity Activity 

These are activities that have an economic value. Let say you carried a task that is helpful to other people and they appreciate it, you are being productive and valued because doing work makes you feel productive and valued even if it is not actually paid for. The purpose of this kind of activity is to create a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of being valued.

1. Making a craft
2. Cleaning a bathroom
3. Playing board games
4. Press flower
5. Picking vegetables
6. Cooking/baking
7. Making a Christmas present 
8. Fold laundry 
9. Making doll cloths
10. Feeding birds 
11. Read a magazine
12. Make food sculptures
13. Make a treasure map
14. Watch binoculars
15. Color
16. Pull weed
17. Play store
18. Collect seeds
19. Wash cars
20. Make a desert

#2. Leisure Activity 

These are activities to do during your pass time. The purpose of this kind of activity is to create fun. Doing this kind of activity is pleasurable and Leisure should both be passive and active.  An example here can be watching a movie which is passive and playing a game cards which is active because you are directly involve.

1. Golf 
2. Painting 
3. Reading books
4. Talking to friends
5. Photography
6. Gardening 
7. Bird watching
8. Listening to music 
9. Sightseeing
10. Go kayaking with friends
11. Tap dancing with friends
12. Attend tea parties
13. Attend concert
14. Do some home decorations
15. Go for a picnic
16. Go for a walk in the park
17. Watch movies 
18. Coin collecting 
19. Surf the internet
20. Attend sport events

#3. Self care activity 

These are activities to do when you feel overwhelmed.  The purpose of this activity is to encourage personal hygiene, body care through body exercise, taking care of your brain, grooming, showering and also care of our environment.  

1. Start a journal 
2. Read poetry 
3. Create a wall paper with photos of your love ones
4. Take a quiet nap
5. Yoga
6. Dog walking
7. Massage
8. Stretching exercises
9. Beach walking
10. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure 
11. Drink an adequate quantity of water each day
12.  Reducing stress
13. Learn Sewing 
14. Try acupuncture 
15. Do yourself a manicure and pedicure
16. Make a playlist and listen too
17. Take a shower
18. Cook yourself a meal
19. Watch funny videos 
20. Tidy your work space

#4. Rest and restoration Activity

A good life also requires you to take some times off to chill out, reasons why we have to incorporate rest and restoration into the daily routine of the elderly. The purpose of this kind of activity is to get back our energy and sleep is one way of recharging but they are more way of recharging. 

1. Hike or go camping 
2. Meditate 
3. Listening to music 
4. Sleeping 
5. Yoga
6. Take a cold Bath 
7. Bird watching
8. Pet therapy
9. Reflecting
10. Slow eating
11. Hug a friend or family member
12. Deep breathing  like you are smelling a flower or something
13. Counting
14. Blow bubbles
15. Envision a quiet place
16. Do some wall push ups
17. Roll a ball beneath your feet
18. Listen to music corresponding to your current mood
19. Ride a bike around the neighborhood 
20. Go group walking

#5. Self care cognitive wellness activity 

These are activities that involve thinking, decision making and problem solving. The purpose of this activity is to stimulate mentally. 

For example you can ask the person to put a jigsaw puzzle together – what this means is you are trying to give the person a reason of what you are asking them to do.  

In case the person can figure out the puzzle, just give them a little hand.  

With a little bit of organizational help the person uses his or her brain. After the task is accomplish applaud them for trying, it give a sense of accomplishment.  

1. Assertiveness 
2. Mindfulness
3. Healthy eating
4. Spend some time in nature (go for a forest bath)
5. Go camping 
6. Do group walking
7. Watch the sunset and sun rise 
8. Visit a museum
9. Join support groups
10. Aromatherapy
11. Watch the stars
12. Make yourself some tea
13. Go out and take some catchy pictures
14. Go shopping
15. Art and craft
16. Play memory matching game like go fish
17. Puzzles
18. Sequencing (a preschool routine also good for dementia patients).
19. Sorting and classifying (thought this may be a kinder garden game it is good for dementia patients too).
20. Play Sudoku a number placement puzzle