The need for engagement and joy doesn’t disappear with a dementia diagnosis. However, as cognitive abilities change, the way we provide that stimulation must change too. Focus on “no-fail” activities (tasks with no right or wrong way to play) to give your loved one a genuine sense of accomplishment.
We’ve partnered with a geriatric nurse practitioner to bring you 10 proven recommendations that reduce agitation and bring a smile back to their face.
These types of activities can also be an effective alternative to using medications to reduce agitation, challenging behavior, and unhappy moods. We share a dozen recommendations from a geriatric nurse practitioner who's experienced in dementia care.
Ann Kositsky, a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, showed dozens of activities for seniors with dementia. For years, she’s used them to reduce anxiety, distract from challenging behavior, and bring joy to people with cognitive impairments.
These Are More Than Simple Children’s Toys
Don’t be misled or discouraged by the appearance of these activities. Some may have been made for children, but the way older adults experience them is completely different.
For example, a toy toolbox might let dad safely relive happy memories of the home repairs he made to keep the house in great shape. A Saturday Morning Post puzzle could take your spouse back to their childhood. The singing puppy gives warm hugs, and its cheerful song brings a smile to anyone’s face and will likely have you spontaneously clapping and singing along.
Even though these activities have been stereotyped and marketed as children’s toys, don’t let that stop you from offering them to your older adult. If an activity engages them, brings joy, and reduces challenging behaviors, who cares what the label says?
10 Engaging Activities for Seniors with Dementia or Alzheimer’s
Melissa & Doug 7-Piece Tool Puzzle
This isn’t just a puzzle; it’s a tactile way to engage with familiar shapes. The chunky, easy-to-grasp wooden pieces are perfect for hands that may have lost some fine motor control, allowing your loved one to feel the satisfaction of a “perfect fit” without the frustration of tiny parts.
Color and Shape Puzzle
Visual stimulation is key to maintaining cognitive pathways. This puzzle uses vibrant, high-contrast colors and recognizable shapes to provide a gentle mental workout. It’s a wonderful way to encourage conversation about colors and patterns in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.
Cat Hardcover Photo Book
Sometimes, words are too much. This book relies on beautiful, full-page photography to spark “reminiscence therapy.” The thick, sturdy pages are easy to turn, making it a soothing solo activity or a lovely way for you to sit together and share stories of past pets.
Dog Hardcover Photo Book
Similar to its feline counterpart, this book offers high-quality imagery of various dog breeds. It’s specifically designed for seniors, avoiding the busy layouts often found in children’s books, focusing instead on clear, calming visuals that can help ground someone feeling anxious.
Wooden 24-Piece Tool Box Kit
For the hands-on person who spent a lifetime fixing things, this kit is a treasure. Sorting the wooden nuts, bolts, and screws provides a “working” experience that feels productive and familiar, tapping into long-term muscle memory to provide a deep sense of purpose.
26-Pack Sensory Fidget Toys
Anxiety often manifests as “restless hands.” This curated set offers various textures and movements to keep hands busy and minds calm. These are particularly effective tools for redirecting behavior when someone is picking at clothes or feeling overwhelmed by their environment.
Deluxe Latches Board
This board turns simple mechanical tasks into a rewarding game. Opening the polished metal locks and latches provides excellent sensory feedback and a fun “reveal” behind every door, keeping the user engaged with a task that feels sophisticated rather than juvenile.
Plastic Nuts & Bolts Set (64 Pieces)
If your loved one enjoys sorting and organizing, this set is ideal. The large size makes them safe and easy to handle, and they can be used for everything from simple color-matching to more complex “assembly” work, allowing the activity to scale with their current ability level.
“My Little Puppy” Singing Plush
Music is one of the last things affected by dementia. This soft, cuddly puppy claps along to “If You're Happy and You Know It,” often triggering a spontaneous “sing-along” moment. It provides both the comfort of a stuffed animal and the joy of a familiar rhythm.
Hardwood Lock Box Memory Game
This is the “gold standard” for engagement. The high-quality craftsmanship feels substantial and age-appropriate. With three compartments and ten different latches, it offers hours of discovery—especially if you hide small, familiar keepsakes or treats inside for them to find.
Final Thoughts: Focus on the Connection, Not the Result
At the end of the day, the goal of these activities isn’t to “complete” a task or create a masterpiece, it’s to foster a moment of peace and connection. When you introduce these tools, follow your loved one’s lead. If they want to hold the puzzle pieces rather than fit them together, or simply pet the singing puppy without turning it on, let them.
There is no right or wrong way to engage. By providing these failure-free opportunities, you’re doing more than just passing the time; you’re honoring their dignity and providing a much-needed sense of accomplishment in their daily life.
Pro-Tip for Caregivers:
Don't force it. If your loved one isn't interested in a particular activity today, simply put it away and try again in a week. Moods and abilities can fluctuate, and what feels frustrating on Monday might be a source of joy by Friday.
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Recommended for you:
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About the Author
Connie is the founder of DailyCaring.com and was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also understands the importance of support, especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
thank-you so much for all of your helpful material. I am grateful for the free advice.
You’re very welcome! We’re so glad our articles are helpful.
[…] of all, bear in mind that activities “with no right or wrong” are usually most successful. This can include anything that brings gratification simply through […]
[…] and foremost, keep in mind that activities “with no right or wrong” are often most rewarding. This can consist of anything that brings pleasure simply through […]
I was hoping someone could help me. My dad likes to use his strength to try and move things like the kitchen table and the door frames plus the kitchen cupboards. I am seeking help with strength based activities please. He also loves to fiddle and my mum doesn’t like him touching her nice things that are around the house. I know it’s easier to remove them but she won’t at this stage. Thank you.
It might take some trial and error to find activities that will engage the interests that he’s currently showing. Perhaps he’s seeking more physical activities and some exercise routines would be satisfying. Or, he may like activities that are similar to fixing things around the house. Keeping him busy will hopefully help reduce his interest in your mom’s nice things.
Try to create links or activities that are similar to things he enjoyed doing in the past. Hopefully some of the suggestions in this article can help you think of and find activities that will keep him happily occupied.
Here are additional articles that may also have helpful suggestions and information:
— 6 Ways to Help Seniors with Alzheimer’s Keep Hands Busy https://dailycaring.com/6-ways-to-help-seniors-with-alzheimers-keep-hands-busy/
— 10 Activities for Seniors with Alzheimer’s: Inexpensive DIY Ideas https://dailycaring.com/activities-for-seniors-with-alzheimers-10-inexpensive-diy-ideas/
— Our section of exercise articles https://dailycaring.com/tag/exercise/
The lock box looks great but i am concerned that the other items are quite childlike.
I understand your concern. Each person with dementia is different and the most important consideration is how they feel about an activity. If they like and enjoy it, then how others may perceive it isn’t important. However, if the person doesn’t like the activity, then it’s not right for them at this stage of dementia. As dementia progresses, people’s tastes and preferences often change. It can be worthwhile to revisit things that have been tried in the past.
What if my husband, who has mild cognitive impairment, is very lazy, shows no interest in anything but TV (mostly reruns) and refuses any physical activity. Now he is oxygen which limits him even more. He was told to do minor exercises, brain puzzles on the computer, but acts like it is all too hard. ?His only interest is eating and he weighs over 300 lbs.
This is definitely a challenging situation. Sometimes it can be really tough for someone with cognitive impairment to do activities that we see as simple. It’s possible that he needs less complex puzzles or activities so he will feel successful and not feel frustrated or anxious. If he feels like he’s failing, that may be one reason why he refuses to do anything at all. Watching TV, especially shows that he’s seen before, may be easier for his brain to process. Physical activity can be difficult for someone who is overweight. Starting slowly and just doing a tiny bit of activity and building up little by little may help — even just walking around the house once or twice can be a good start. Maybe serving meals or snacks in another room would get him to walk at least a little bit.
Could also be depression. Lack of energy or desire to do anything is often a very common sign of depression in men and over eating is a way of self medicating. You should have him seen by his PCP or a psychiatrist to have him evaluated.
Great point, depression can definitely take away someone’s energy and desire to engage with the world. We’ve got more info on that here: When Depression and Dementia Collide https://dailycaring.com/when-depression-and-dementia-collide/
We’re new with this horrible disease. My Husband biggest disappointment in life is that he always has been our Designated Driver. Mainly because he loves to drive And always enjoyed taking drives just about anywhere & everywhere. He never even let me drive. I have to add that I was always put down by him if I drive with him in our car. In other words-he makes me feel like I am a teen who is about to take the Driving exam! Yes, he’s always the real Backseat Driver. I’m scared & nervous to be behind the wheel when he’s in the car yelling at me. His disease hasn’t changed his rage while I’m driving. Note: I’ve never had an accident, or complaints from anyone else concerning my driving. He truly wants to continue to drive. There’s No Way that he could drive while he’s alone in the car mainly because he’ll forget his keys, his direction, or lock himself out-or in. What can I do to get thru to him that we can drive in the car as long as I- or someone else drives!??? Thank you for any help you can give me! Barbara
I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with this 🙁 Giving up driving is a very challenging situation for everyone involved. We’ve got a couple of articles with suggestions that may help:
— http://dailycaring.com/8-ways-to-stop-an-elderly-person-from-driving-when-all-else-fails/
— http://dailycaring.com/4-tips-to-get-an-elderly-person-to-stop-driving/
Old issues of SI are handy for engaging the aging sports buff. I always enjoy hearing about the Raiders in the ’60s, the year Tommy Aaron won the Masters, etc
Great suggestion, thank you for sharing!