You can still do a lot together
When you think of dementia, you’re probably not thinking about enjoying great moments or having fun… yet so many people are defying that stereotype and living life to its fullest. Here’s how.
Whether a person likes to read, run, paint, cycle or more, most activities can be adjusted to suit the person as their symptoms progress. Here’s how:
Why are activities so important?
For people living with dementia, active minds and bodies can help delay the progression of their symptoms, helping them live well, for longer. Get quick tips to reduce your risk or find even more on risk reduction.
People with dementia can still...
Getting groceries is an experience full of so many sights, smells and tastes. It can spark great memories of growing up, too.
One community member shared how much their Mum loved rediscovering Costco. “She couldn’t remember having gone before, but each time she went, she thought it was the best place ever!”
“My Dad loved the produce section. He enjoyed picking out the perfect mangoes and coconuts because they reminded him of the markets back home. And he would chat with everyone who was shopping. He actually made new friends there.”
And can we say, ‘hello, free samples.’
It’s always fun to tantalize the taste buds, even if tastes are changing.
Stay local for your favourite flavours, or check out a shop you haven’t been to yet.
Recreate that ice cream treat or float from when you were a kid.
Grown-ups often love the add-ons, like cherries, sprinkles and fudge sauce, too.
Create a bucket list of ice cream treats or shops to explore together.
Try gelato, or some of the latest concoctions that will tempt your tastebuds.
Even if they have memory challenges, there are many games that can be played.
“My uncle can’t always tell me what he was up to yesterday. But man, he can beat me every time at checkers!”
“My Dad loves playing games like UNO, Bingo, Qwirkle, or crazy eights.”
Classic toy shops (e.g., Heritage Park): Reminisce with Slinkies and sock dolls as conversation starters.
Antique stores: Pick out things you recognize, or discover things you never even knew were ‘a thing.’
Vinyl record shops: Immerse yourself in the stacks of treasure troves, maybe even take home a real find.
Thrift stores: Browse retro styles and put together outfits worn way back when.
Comics and collector shops: Revisit favourites. You can also try chatting with the shop owner (they sometimes have the best stories).
Can’t leave the house? Find old shows on YouTube. It’s your chance to re-watch Fonzie from Happy Days and more great throwbacks.
Create a reason to celebrate. And it doesn't have to be totally 'accurate' either. Can you celebrate a birthday three times in the same week? Of course you can😉.
For a list of reasons to celebrate coming up, click here.
Search YouTube for a playlist (try searching ‘oldies’ or those legendary artists you love).
Make a toast with tasty beverages. Find easy-to-make mocktail recipes or pick up a conveniently canned version.
It doesn’t need to be a big reason to celebrate, or totally ‘accurate.’
Improvise, have fun, and just go with it. Donna’s example is spot on.
I went to visit my mom on my 37th birthday. She looked surprised, and asked me "Really? You're 37 now?"
I responded, "Yes."
And Mom said, "So am I!" I smiled, and said, "Cool, let's celebrate!"
I gave her a hug and we went on our way.
Sometimes doing 'nothing' outside is actually doing something.
We can overlook the benefits of just enjoying the fresh air with a friend and soaking in the moment.
“My aunt loves to watch the kids playing street hockey in her neighbourhood.”
“It’s OK to just sit and look out from a park bench. And breathe.”
What you see as a regular, everyday activity might be an excellent outing for a person with dementia
- Coming along to childrens’ activities, games or practices
- Picking out paint samples
- Shopping for food, clothes, furniture, bedding, pet needs and more
- Picking out fresh flowers
- Visiting a garden centre
- Walking around the mall
- Picking up library books
Cook, bake or grill a favourite recipe, or try making something new together.
Need inspiration? Here are some easy, fun baking ideas to tempt your tastebuds.
Break the activity down into small steps. For example, if you’re making cupcakes, you could bake them one day and frost them the next.
Taste the ingredients and sample the results (this is often the best part).
Enable them to be a sous chef. Ask for help with stirring, assembling a salad, washing ingredients, and more.
Cooking can create great conversations. Chat about favourite memories and bloopers. Think about future recipes you’d like to try, or ways to make a recipe your own.
Most activities can be adapted in fun ways to suit the person. People with dementia are
- Playing pickleball
- Doing yoga
- Walking the outdoor paths
- Swimming
- Dancing
- And more!
Kevin, a marathon runner, adjusted his running route to a shorter, more familiar loop. He now runs the loop repeatedly to create similar distances.
See how Aimee makes it work for her Dad here.
Download favourite tunes or songs you haven’t heard in years.
Search YouTube for a fun playlist (try searching ‘oldies’ or those legendary artists you love).
Create playlists that can go on repeat.
Dust off old record and cassette players and bring them back into the mix.
Bust out the dance moves when inspiration strikes!
Read a story, even a short story, a brief article or a book chapter
Find free short stories online. Here are a few to try.
Try podcasts or audiobooks, which can offer hours of entertainment. Here are a few podcasts that baby boomers might like.
Visit a local bookstore.
Take in a museum.
Attend a play or show.
Check out a local fair, outdoor event or market.
Visit one of the local attractions.
Try a walking tour around a neighbourhood you haven’t been to in a while.
Many people with dementia can enjoy artistic activities, even if they have never done them before. Offer simple choices (e.g., instead of 10 paint colours, offer 2 at a time).
Dollar stores often stock most of your supplies
- Painting (Easy paint pouring)
- Photography
- Collages, scrapbooking
- Drawing (Simple teddy bear drawing)
Colouring books (Download free adult colouring pages )
Stories are the best – even on repeat. If a person has memory issues, they may still enjoy the same story next week or next month. The same goes for anyone… sometimes our favourite stories are the ‘oldies but goodies.’
Try a joke book, comic book (who doesn’t love the old Archie comics?) or some of these options:
Around the house:
- Folding laundry
- Setting the table
- Helping in the kitchen (stirring ingredients, washing fruit, assembling a salad, putting things in the pot)
- Organizing items, putting things away
- Vacuuming
- Dusting
- Putting away groceries
- Feeding a pet
- Filling a bird feeder
- Watering flowers
- Putting up decorations
- Raking leaves
- Making a snowman
- Pulling weeds, planting flowers
Visit with a neighbour’s pet, or join someone for a walk with their pet.
Visit a local dog park. Many of the owners are happy to talk about their fur babies.
Grab a bench along a pathway. You’d be surprised how often people are out with their pets, and happy to share cuddle time with their animals.
Volunteer with a local animal rescue or shelter. Many welcome volunteers to come and play or walk with the animals.
Google funny cat or dog videos if you don’t want to venture outside?
You can visit famous museums, zoos, aquariums and more, around the world. Try some of these...
Museums: https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/virtual-museum-tours
National parks: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/national-park-service
Famous landmarks: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/street-view
Virtual hikes: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/rouge/activ/visite-tour
Take a short road trip. Here are a bunch within an hour of Calgary .
Ever played 'what does that cloud remind you of?'
Stop at a spot that brings back memories.
Take a snack and a blanket to enjoy at a great spot (even if it’s just a quick sandwich and drink from the drive thru).
Try tailgating if you find a scenic view.
Watch the sun come up (or go down). Our skies are legendary for dreamy vistas.
Add in some fun tunes for background music.
Aimee is caring for her Dad
Known for her tenacity, creativity and heart, Aimee finds ways to make the everyday 'extraordinary.'
It’s more about the “activity” than the “results”
Success in doing activities together is about being open-minded and flexible. This is because challenges with memory, communication and other abilities can vary daily for people with dementia. For instance, does it really matter if…
Our walk gets shorter because we stopped to take in the view?
We don’t finish reading the entire story?
Our PBJ sandwich has three slices of bread and no jelly?
We spend more time tasting the ingredients and telling stories than truly cooking?
This family decided not to do a road trip after all, but still had their picnic lunch in the car.
