Transportation and Travel

Virtual Destination Tour

• 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.

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.

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

DIY Activities & Games

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.