Welcome!

Having interesting and satisfying activities for the person with dementia to do while sheltering at home can be a great challenge. Watch Nancy Hendley, Dementia Care trainer at CaringKind, share some ideas on helping to keep your loved one engaged and occupied.

Thank you for all that you do! Please send your thoughts and feedback to helpline@cknyc.org. Look for more to come!

Magic Books

Magic Books This simple activity can bring comfort to the person with dementia. The Magic book gives the person with dementia hand held access to images that have meaning to them. The subject of the book is individualized- familiar places, cultural traditions, images from former hobbies, music, etc. Having images on hand can be engaging and interesting. The images provide a source of conversation for the person with dementia and for those who care for them.

You will need a computer, a printer or access to printing source, a three ring binder and plastic sleeves for the images.

Home

This activity helps the caregiver to understand and support the person with dementia, while providing a few moments of respite for the caregiver. It is difficult to understand why a person with dementia who is often in their own home insists on "going home". Simply explaining that they are home, rarely works. The person with dementia is often thinking about their original home- where they were born- grew up. In this video we explore the idea of home- what it means to us the caregiver and how that understanding can help us to accommodate the person with dementia.

You will need a notebook to record your own memories.

Books

Sorting, Cleaning, Reordering Books can be a worthwhile activity. The person with dementia is encouraged to be part of the usual household upkeep- giving him/her an opportunity to be a part of making the environment more aesthetically pleasing- a sense of purpose. Reading, whether the person is reading, being read to, or listening to an audio book can be a rich and satisfying way to spend time.

Bags & Garlands

Tidying is a useful activity and can give a person with dementia a sense of purpose. We all need to feel like we are helping out. For this activity you will need some clutter- either a drawer that needs to be straightened up or as in the video- several odds and ends bits that need to be sorted and some type of container that has divided spaces.

Sorting Beans

Sorting can be a satisfying activity for a person with dementia. Making order can help to ground the person and give them some bit of control. In this video I make a beanbag which can be used as a stress relief object or an item to toss around or a gift.

This is a sorting activity as well as a bean bag making activity. You will need several types of beans, in this one I use popcorn and black beans. (you could use buttons or other objects) You will need a container for the "mixed" beans and two other containers to put beans in once you sort them. If you want to make a bean bag you will need a small gift bag or small ziploc bags and/or sewing machine and fabric, scissors.

Take care that the person is not putting objects in his/her mouth.

Clutter

Tidying is a useful activity and can give a person with dementia a sense of purpose. We all need to feel like we are helping out. For this activity you will need some clutter- either a drawer that needs to be straightened up or as in the video- several odds and ends bits that need to be sorted and some type of container that has divided spaces.

Decorative Objects

Decoupage is a simple way to to make decorative objects. Creating beautiful containers can be an enjoyable leisure activity both for the person with dementia and the caregiver. You will need magazines, scissors, watered down glue, a paint brush and clear jars or plastic bottle, and a scissors. This is a project that may take some time and definitely one that both caregiver and person with dementia should do together.

Photo Puzzles

You may want to cut up a photo to make into a puzzle. You will need a photograph, a scissors, and an envelope to store the puzzle.

Hand Washing

Hand washing items is a familiar and repetitive activity that can be satisfying as the person with dementia is doing something that is necessary. Doing handwash is a great prompt for stories- many people did hand wash in thier younger days- or perhaps as they travelled. This simple activity requires a few small items of clothing (it is ok if the clothing is already clean) soapy and clear water, ok to do at the sink as well and maybe clothes pins or a place to dry items. This is an activity that can take place daily or any time that hands need to be washed.

Organizing Ribbons

This activity is about ordering items. Here I use a bunch of ribbons and a paper towel dowel. I mention that the person may enjoy untangling knots- think about something that needs attention- perhaps a closet that needs to be refreshed.

Sorting Silverware

Like several of the other sorting and ordering videos- this one tackles the silverware drawer. If the person enjoys the activity it can be repeated within a few days. What may seem boring or repetitive to us can be calming to the person with dementia. The ability to do any task well can be a source of pride for the person. You will need your silverware drawer, a small bowl of water, paper towel.

Remove any sharp objects to ensure the safety of the person with dementia.

Spices

This is a very straightforward project that involves arranging spices or canned goods in alphabetical order. you will need your spice rack or canned goods. Like in the Silverware video each jar or can could be wiped down with soapy water before replacing. If a person is able to place things in alphabetical order they might enjoy working on an old Rolodex or filing papers. Be imaginative, enjoy, let us know your results!

Caution make sure that lids are tightly sealed on spices.

Wrapping Packages

This idea came from a caregiver. You will need wrapping paper, scissors, tape, ribbon and something to wrap- does not have to be "real presents ok to wrap other household objects cds etc." This is a wonderful activity for those who like to work with their hands and/or enjoy giving gifts. You may want to have bits of tape already pre-cut so that the person can use the tape easily. We all like the idea of a good party and the surprise of gift giving and receiving. It is ok to throw a party just for the heck of it.