Every person living with dementia deserves to experience joy, connection, and a sense of purpose, just like anyone else.
Engaging in meaningful activities is one of the most powerful ways to improve your loved one’s quality of life, support their emotional and physical well-being, and nurture their confidence, even as they navigate living with dementia.
When someone with dementia takes part in an activity and sees it through, it can create a genuine sense of accomplishment and help ease the self-esteem issues that often come with feeling limited.
Whether your loved one is in the early stages or further along in their journey, there are many ways to bring meaning and warmth into their day. If you find yourself searching “best things to do with someone with dementia
Fun Things To Do With Dementia Patients
The activities below show a range of mental, physical, and social experiences that can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors, using simple, easily accessible materials. Whether you’re exploring things to do with a parent diagnosed with dementia or supporting another family member or friend, these ideas are designed to be adaptable.
Cozy Activities to Enjoy at Home
1. Get Creative with Arts and Crafts
Creative activities can be wonderfully calming and expressive for people living with dementia. Projects such as painting, sketching, knitting, or crocheting offer a gentle way for your loved one to engage their hands and mind while enjoying the satisfaction of creativity. Arts and crafts also open the door to emotional expression, allowing your loved one to communicate in ways that go beyond words.
2. Watch Classic Shows and Nature Documentaries
Your loved one may find it difficult to follow lengthy or fast-paced programs, but short, familiar shows can bring comfort and trigger memories. Nature documentaries are another wonderful option as they tend to be slow-paced, visually calming, and informative without being overly stimulating. Watching together also creates a shared moment of quiet connection.
3. Make a Memory Collage
Gather some family photos, scrap paper, markers, and glue, and spend an afternoon creating a memory collage together. This activity is a beautiful way to revisit cherished moments and spark meaningful conversations about the past. Once it’s finished, your loved one will have something personal and heartfelt to look back on whenever they need a gentle reminder of the people and memories they hold dear.
4. Work on a Puzzle
Puzzles are an easy, low-pressure way to develop cognitive skills. They encourage your loved one to focus on shapes, colours, and images without feeling overwhelmed. Choose a simple jigsaw puzzle with a manageable number of pieces and a familiar or appealing picture, and enjoy working through it together at a comfortable pace.
5. Learn an Instrument Together
Music has a remarkable way of reaching people with dementia, even when other forms of communication become more difficult. Consider picking up a simple instrument together, such as the guitar, ukulele, hand drums, or a small keyboard. Choose familiar, nostalgic songs that your loved one already knows and loves. The goal is not perfection but connection and the joy of making music side by side.
Refreshing Activities to Enjoy Outdoors
6. Take a Walk Outside
A walk outside can be one of the most refreshing and physically gentle outdoor activities for someone with dementia. The fresh air, natural light, and change of scenery can do wonders for mood and energy. Try to make it a consistent part of your routine together, whether it’s a stroll through the neighbourhood each morning or a quiet evening walk around the block.
7. Visit a Local Park
Parks offer a peaceful setting where your loved one can take in the beauty of nature at their own pace. There’s something deeply soothing about watching birds, enjoying the foliage, and simply sitting together in a quiet, open space. Many communities also offer dementia-inclusive programs at local parks and recreation centres, which can be a wonderful way to connect with others who understand the journey.
8. Go for a Gentle Bike Ride
Depending on your loved one’s abilities, a gentle bike ride can be a fun and freeing experience. In some cases, they may need to re-learn how to ride, which can become a meaningful activity in itself. Tandem bikes or stationary options are also worth considering to keep things safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.
9. Do Some Gardening Together
Gardening offers a wonderful sense of accomplishment because your loved one can see the tangible results of their effort. Whether it’s planting flowers, watering a small herb garden, or simply tidying up a flower bed, the work can be as light or involved as you and your loved one are comfortable with. It’s a calming, grounding activity that keeps both the hands and the mind gently engaged.
Energizing Activities to Stay Active
10. Practice Gentle Yoga
Gentle yoga is a calming way to support both physical and emotional well-being. Simple chair yoga or guided breathing exercises can help your loved one feel more centred, relaxed, and present. There are many beginner-friendly routines available online, specifically designed for seniors and can be done right at home.
11. Dance to Favourite Songs
Put on your loved one’s favourite music and dance together, even if it’s just swaying gently in the living room. Dancing is a great way to stay active, and familiar songs have a beautiful way of bringing comfort and sparking memories. It’s less about the steps and more about the shared moment.
12. Walk on a Treadmill
For days when going outside isn’t an option, a treadmill set to a slow, comfortable pace can be a simple physical activity. Being nearby while your loved one walks can offer reassurance, and you can make the time more enjoyable by playing their favourite music or watching a show together.
13. Try Light Strength Exercises
Light-strength exercises using resistance bands or small hand weights can help your loved one maintain mobility and confidence in their body, especially among older adults. Keep sessions short and encouraging, focusing on movements that feel good and are within their comfort level. Family caregivers can easily guide these exercises at home.
Meaningful Activities to Stay Connected
14. Attend a Local Book Club
Communal activities, such as a book club, can provide gentle mental stimulation and social connections. Look for groups that are welcoming, relaxed, and understanding of different abilities. Even if your loved one finds it difficult to read on their own, listening to passages read aloud and joining in the conversation can be deeply rewarding.
15. Join a Dementia Support Group
Support groups offer a safe, compassionate space for both people living with dementia and their family members to share experiences, ask questions, and feel less alone. Being part of a group that truly understands what you and your loved one are going through can bring comfort, encouragement, and a meaningful sense of belonging.
16. Schedule Family Video Calls
Staying connected with family members who live far away can make a real difference in your loved one’s emotional well-being. Scheduling regular video calls gives them something to look forward to and helps maintain the bonds that matter most. Keep calls warm, familiar, and relaxed, and let your loved one share as much or as little as they’d like.
How to Plan Activities for a Person with Dementia
Finding the right activity is just as important as how you approach it. Every person’s experience with dementia is different, so it helps to plan with patience, flexibility, and your loved one’s abilities in mind.
Above all, the goal is connection, comfort, and joy. Focus on helping your loved one feel successful and enjoy the process, rather than on how well something turns out. And if your loved one seems happiest simply watching and taking it all in, that’s a meaningful form of participation too. Consider what your loved one has always enjoyed and look for ways to adapt those interests to their current stage, choosing things that work with what they’re comfortably able to do.
When it’s time to begin, offer a gentle hand in getting started. Some people living with dementia may need a little guidance at first, while others may prefer to ease into things on their own. Pay attention to how your loved one responds as the activity unfolds. If you notice signs of frustration, it’s perfectly okay to slow down, simplify, or shift to something different.
Making Aging at Home Easier with Ohana Care
Supporting a loved one with dementia is a journey that deserves to be taken gently, one step at a time. Every activity, every shared moment, and every small victory matters, and it’s important that neither your loved one nor you as a caregiver feels overwhelmed along the way.
At Ohana Care, our in-home care services are designed to provide steady, compassionate support so your loved one can continue enjoying life in the comfort of their own home. Whether it’s helping with daily routines, encouraging participation in meaningful activities, or simply being a reassuring presence throughout the day, our caregivers are here to make each moment feel easier.
Your loved one deserves care that feels gentle, dependable, and truly personal, and we’re here to walk alongside your family every step of the way. Please reach out to us to learn more about how we can support your loved one with thoughtful, personalized in-home care.
