Meaningful Activities for Loved Ones with Dementia
As a first step towards acceptance of the changes in my husband [after his diagnosis] I made a phone call to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary to sign up for a course. After explaining my intent, and before anything else was said, the person on the other end of the phone asked, “How are you doing?” So unexpected, so sincere, so compassionate, so moving. We chatted for a long time.
Meaningful Activities for Loved Ones with Dementia
This sponsored article is brought to you by Right at Home Canada.
Your loved one has dementia, and sometimes you run out of meaningful things to do. You aren’t alone. Like many others, you’d like to find ways to enjoy your time together, but with an abundance of information about dementia at your fingertips, how do you choose? One idea is to consider the types of activities your loved one has enjoyed in the past and recreate them. Even the simplest activity can provide a meaningful experience that you can share together.
Here are a few ideas to help get you started.
For the homemaker:
Clip coupons
Make a fruit pie
Fold a basket of socks
Make homemade applesauce
Read aloud from labels
Ask a friend, neighbor or church acquaintance who has a baby or a young child to visit
Listen to fun music
For the craftsperson:
String Cheerios to hang outside for the birds
Make paper butterflies
Mold with Playdoh
Colour paper shamrocks green
Decorate paper placemats
Join the Right at Home Pinterest account and use the scrapbooks as conversation starters
For the history buff:
Name the Prime Ministers
Look up names in the phonebook
Identify provinces and capital cities
Reminisce about the first day of school
For the handyman/gardener:
Rake leaves
Use a carpet sweeper
Feed the ducks
Sweep the patio
Sand wood
Plant seeds indoor or out
As you can see, there are numerous activities that can contribute to making your time together memorable. Come to it with a light heart and make your moments together meaningful.
For support and information on how Right at Home can assist your loved ones with their care, please call 403-869-8294 or visit www.rightathomecanada.com/calgary
Right at Home is a leading provider of in-home companionship and assistance for elderly and disabled adults.