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Engagement

Staying Engaged 

In an effort to make your day a little brighter, here are activity ideas to do at home. We hope these activities will stimulate discussion, encourage reminiscing, get you moving, or simply bring joy. From links to concerts, museum tours or live dance classes; to directions for craft projects, or conversation prompts, we hope to add some fun to your day.

Engagement Types:

Click on any of the categories below to explore more!

 

Music

Radios and Playlists

  • Music has proven to be a powerful therapeutic tool in enhancing the well-being of individuals living with dementia. Care Partner Radio is an online station for individuals with dementia. The online station has a range of free 24/7 relaxing music and virtual experiences that can be viewed on their YouTube channel here.
  • BBC Music Memories provides an easy method for creating/saving a music playlist to Spotify.
  • Check out the Nostalgia Machine and pick a year from the past to listen to music from your high school days, college parties, or your first love.

Sing Alongs

  • Incorporating speaking and singing into the daily routine of individuals with aphasia (a disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate) can enhance their quality of life, providing cognitive stimulation, communication, and connection with others. Here is a short video of how your loved one can practice speaking and singing at home.
  • Songs & Smiles is a nonprofit offering Fun Songs to Sing for with those living with dementia. The singalong video includes lyrics so the whole family can join in on the fun
  • Whether you want to belt it out or listen along, you can add some music to your day with these videos from Sing Along with Susie Q.
  • Come sing with us! Click here to see former performances. Enjoy and watch them as often as you would like.

Concerts and Performances

  • Invite your loved one with dementia to a weekly musical concert right in your own home. Concerts in Motion offers free Virtual Visiting Series Concerts. All concerts are accessible by phone or internet. Click here to learn more and sign up.
  • The Choral Society of Durham shared with us their Community Outreach Concert, beautifully presented with the “hope that the music will be one small act of building bridges, linking us together arm in arm as we strive to shape the world into a more just, caring and peaceful place.” Enjoy a variety of songs including the spiritual, “There is a Balm in Gilead,” and “West Side Story’s” favorite love song, “Somewhere.”
  • Duke’s Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant leads health care professionals and students—from their homes across Durham County—in a performance of a new piece by Durham composer Steven Bryant.

Music for Seniors

Music for Seniors connects Nashville-area musicians with older adults through live and interactive music programs designed to engage, entertain and educate.

Exercising Your Body and Mind

Seated Exercises & Stretching

  • Seated cardio drumming is an enjoyable and accessible exercise beneficial for seniors with dementia. This exercise involves individuals sitting and using drumsticks or similar instruments to rhythmically tap on a fitness ball with music. Check out this video on how to do this fun exercise here.
  • Seated Line Dancing is a lively and inclusive form of physical activity designed to keep older adults moving and having fun while seated comfortably in a chair. Check out a modified version of traditional line dancing here.
  • Upbeat music combined with physical exercise provides positive social and emotional benefits for individuals with dementia. Check out this fun 10-minute seated chair exercise routine with music from the 70’s here.
  • Daily gentle stretches can be beneficial to our safety and comfort as we age. Approach each stretch with patience and adapt them based on your individual abilities and limitations. Here is video of simple Chair Stretches accompanied by relaxing music.
  • Follow along with JJ Gormley, Certified Yoga Instructor with The Center for Volunteer Caregiving as she guides you through gentle seated chair yoga. Choose between various prerecorded videos ranging from 15-30 mins here.
  • Check out these exercise videos from Alzheimer’s Support, a dementia organization in England. The videos range from very gentle movement to more active exercises.
  • Stretches help improve balance and coordination which reduce the risk of injury. Help your loved one start their day with some simple stretches before getting out of bed. View the 7-minute video here.

Balance & Falls Prevention

  • Verywell Health features this article on the common causes of falling with dementia and Eldercare Gym Senior Fitness provides exercise videos for improved balance on their Youtube page here.
  • If you’ve never tried Tai Chi, start with this short video. The instructor will guide you through gentle and relaxing movements with a beautiful body of water in the background.

Daily Movement & Simple Exercises

  • Daily exercise plays a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being of individuals with dementia. Fun and Moving is an on-demand rehab and basic movement online platform. Caregivers of individuals with dementia can stream exercise videos on their TV or computer with a subscription. Check out some of their memory care routines here.
  • Gentle walking exercises and good music is an enjoyable activitiy individuals with dementia will love. This 15-minute workout with suggested movements and familiar music is sure to get your loved one moving!
  • “Exercise is an excellent, non-drug way to improve well-being and reduce challenging behaviors in seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia.” This article has 12 ideas for exercise and ways to inspire participation.
  • Check out this 5-minute exercise from Silver Sneakers that is both fun and for good for your brain! Silver Sneakers is a great resource for finding easy exercises you can do at home or at select gyms and senior centers in your community.
  • Go4Life from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, offers workout videos to help you fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life. Great options during the pandemic or anytime!
  • The effects of dementia can impact fine motor skills such as buttoning or unbuttoning a shirt, eating with utensils, and writing. Individuals with mild to moderate dementia can try daily hand exercises to help maintain those skills. View this video here for examples.

Relaxation

  • Caregivers often seek meaningful ways to engage with their loved ones with dementia. Hand massages offer a tangible way to provide comfort, reduce anxiety, and foster connection in a world where words can sometimes fade. Here is a video of an easy 5 Minute Therapeutic Hand Massage for Seniors
  • Meditation can be a helpful tool to help reduce stress, relax the mind, and improve mood. Check out this 10-minute Guided Meditation Activity for People with Mild to Moderate dementia.
  • It has often been said that “laughter is the best medicine”. Laughter can help individuals with dementia and their care partners, reduce anxiety and tension, and produce positive feelings. Engaging in Laughter Yoga is one way get those daily giggles in. You can view an instructional 10-minute video here.

Transportation and Travel

Virtual Museum Tours

  • Museums around the world are offering virtual tours of their amazing exhibits! Just some examples include the Guggenheim Museum in New York City to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
  • Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a virtual tour of Frida Kahlo’s garden, wardrobe, and exhibits at the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico.
  • Take a step back into history and celebrate Women’s History Month with virtual tours of important sites from the Women’s Right Movement.

Virtual Destination Tours

  • Take a Virtual Vacation to Paris with a meditative audio tour. Guided audio tours can transport listeners to inspiring destinations even when you can’t be there in person. Caregivers can use guided meditations to improve mood and reduce stress for individuals with dementia. Click here to listen to Virtual Vacations via Podcast.
  • Google delivers the splendor of nature within U.S National Parks through interactive virtual tours. Experience stunning views and gorgeous landscapes in Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Florida, by clicking here.
  • Explore the United States Botanic Garden with these virtual and video tours! Or check out the audio tours for information about plants, themes throughout the garden, and more!
  • Explore North Carolina history and America’s largest home with a virtual tour of the Biltmore Estate and Gardens in Asheville, NC! All from the comfort of your own home.

All Aboard!

Experience the mesmerizing appeal of train rides on YouTube. Enjoy the locomotive ‘Drivers Eye View’ of the Brienz Rothorn Bahn railway in Switzerland, with rugged mountainsides and snow-covered peaks. 

There is also a live 24/7 train camera gives you the train driver’s view from the comfort of home.

 

All Things Nature

Fish Tanks and Dementia

Fish tanks engage multiple senses, making them an ideal sensory stimulation tool for individuals with dementia. The vibrant colors of the fish, the play of light on the water, and the gentle swaying of aquatic plants create a visually engaging experience. Watching fish can be enjoyed through a small tank, a virtual tank, or buying an artificial tank for your loved one to enjoy in their space.

Garden Visits

Visiting a garden is a great way to enjoy nature and experience the beauty of spring time. The calming environment of a garden can reduce anxiety and promote socialization for many individuals with dementia. Locations to take garden tours around the Triangle include Duke Gardens, NC Botanical Garden and the JC Raulston Arboretum.

Live Animal Feeds

Take time to enjoy a variety of live animal feeds from their natural habitats or local zoos.

  • If your loved one adores animals, they will be delighted to view these live panda cams, which show pandas cuddling and playing for hours.
  • Take time to enjoy the sounds and wonders of nature through this relaxing video featuring butterflies in a tropical garden here.
  • The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides over 20 unique bird songs that you can listen to without even opening a window. Many of the birds can even be seen in our North Carolina backyards!
  • This West Texas Bird Feeder Cam allow us to watch dozens of birds enjoying some lunch.
  • You’re watching the live cam at San Diego Zoo. Scroll below the video to be introduced to the herd.
  • It’s sockeye salmon migration time in Alaska! Watch salmon leaping up the falls, while brown bears compete with each other for the best fishing spots with this live cam from Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, Alaska.

Activities

Sensory & Reminiscing

  • Take a trip down memory lane and construct a memory box with your loved one! Memory boxes can help stimulate conversations and bring comfort to persons living with dementia. Check out this link for tips and tricks to constructing one of your own.
  • Sensory Stimulation is a simple and useful tool for caregivers to connect with individuals living with dementia at any stage. Everyday items and activities can be used to awaken the senses of touch, smell, hearing, and sight and produce a positive feeling. View this article for 10 Ways to Use Sensory Boxes & Multisensory Spaces.
  • Its back-to-school season for many kids. Reminiscing about school is a fun and social activity that children and caregivers can play with individuals with dementia to help them share stories about their past. Click here to view the activity.
  • Reminiscing can be a helpful tool to validate a loved one’s experiences and foster connections. Capture meaningful memories through conversation with the help of these questions. You can incorporate sensory prompts too, such as pictures, mementoes, and music.
  • Memory & Orientation books contain photos and mementos that can help individuals with dementia recall memories, facilitate connection with caregivers, and help remind them about their daily schedule. Click here to view how you can make your loved one their own Memory & Orientation book.
  • Dementia can cause people to lose their sense of time and place. Orientation aids can help them feel less confused. Here is a video of an Orientation board you could create with your loved one, so they can have gentle clues to help them throughout the day.
  • Discover something new with the Mindful Museum programs at the NC Museum of Art. Designed to be accessible and engaging, this series offers sensory journeys that can help soothe the mind and foster a sense of connection with art and the surrounding community. These free activities provide an opportunity for both you and your loved one to explore and enjoy the benefits of mindfulness. If visiting in person is not feasible, you can still participate by exploring the museum’s mindfulness sessions on their YouTube page here.
  • Late-stage Alzheimer’s activities should focus on sensory stimulation, reminiscence therapy, and promoting a sense of comfort and connection for your loved one. Click here to view a few ideas you can incorporate into your caregiving routine.
  • Now watching TV can be a positive and enjoyable experience for individuals living with dementia with new streaming services like Zinnia TV. Zinnia TV provides pleasant stress-free videos for people living with mid- to late-stage memory loss or dementia. Learn more about Zinnia TV here.

DIY Activities & Games

  • Preserve a beautiful, gifted bouquet or homegrown flowers with these dried flower crafts!
  • Brush up on your golf game with this fun DIY activity! Click here for examples; this golf game can be played seated or standing, indoors or outdoors!
  • The Chapel Hill Public Library introduces a unique collection of sensory kits, specially crafted for neurodiverse individuals, especially those with dementia and their caregivers. Each kit revolves around a nature-inspired theme, featuring items that stimulate the senses. To learn more, view this article.
  • Create bonding moments with your grandchildren using Homemade Play Dough. Children and grandparents with dementia can mold, sculpt, and share stories, transforming malleable dough into imaginative masterpieces.
  • Did you know you can pick up a simple craft kit from any dollar store to engage with your loved one? Crafts, like painting a suncatcher, are a relaxing activity that anyone, especially kids, can do with seniors who have dementia. Click here for ways to engage with a craft kit.
  • Making a Coffee Cup Bird Feeder is a way care partners can engage their loved ones and get closer to nature. In the winter, the bird feeder can attract local birds to your yard and your loved one will enjoy birdwatching from a window.
  • Non-slip sock activities offer a wonderful opportunity for both creativity and practicality, especially for individuals with dementia. Rather than purchasing pre-made non-slip socks, consider making them together as a fun and engaging activity. Check out this fun activity here.
  • Let’s celebrate National Caregivers Day with a fun and simple activity! When thinking of activities for persons living with dementia, don’t overlook options that can create a sense of purpose. Focus on activities that they can do, that help them feel productive, that promote independence and that foster social interactions.
  • One caregiver has complied a large list of dementia activity ideas. Think about pulling out old Duplos (large Legos), trying the Famous Duo Cards, or singing along with this Karaoke playlist of hymns and patriotic songs.
  • Sorting Junk mail is a simple yet effective task that helps organize the mailbox and provides a sense of accomplishment and routine. Click here to find out how you can do this activity with your loved one.
  • Visiting a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility can be emotionally challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to create moments of joy and connection. Engaging in activities can improve the quality of your visits. Here is an exhaustive list of 101 Ideas for In-Room & 1-to-1 Activity Programs, from the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals.
  • Check out this list of 50 different word puzzles and brain games including tips on how to modify activities for different ability levels.
  • If you’re a flower lover but don’t want to get your hands dirty in the soil, check out this fun craft for Flower Pens! They make great presents so your loved ones can share their creations.

NC Reading Service

Reading the newspaper or a magazine is a part of many people’s daily routine, but this becomes a hard task for individuals with dementia, as they lose cognitive functions such as the ability to read. The NC Reading Service is a resource that offers daily live broadcasts of newspapers and magazines for people with cognitive and vision impairments. Click here to learn how to access this free service.

Adapting to their Abilities

Helping your loved one with dementia still enjoy old hobbies or routines can be implemented in creative ways. Check out this 2-minute video on Adapting to their Abilities from the blog Being in the Moment.

Nutrition and Dementia

March is National Nutrition Awareness Month, and for individuals with dementia nutrition is important for optimizing cognitive health. View this article from Brain & Life featuring Cooking Tips and Simple Recipes for Alzheimer’s Patients.

 

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