10 No Fail Activities for People with Dementia

Engaging in meaningful activities can bring joy, reduce anxiety, and improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. In this blog post, we’ll share 10 fun, no-fail activity ideas that are easy to implement and tailored to spark connection and creativity for your loved one.

Seniors With Dementia Need Activities Where They Can Be Successful

Everyday activities can become too complex for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

But, like all of us, they still need to feel successful.

That’s why failure-free activities for people with dementia are so important – they’ll always be successful, no matter what.

Being happily engaged in a satisfying activity reduces agitation, anxiety, depression, and anger. It may even reduce challenging behaviors like sundowning or reduce the need for medication.

To help your older adult feel productive and successful, we have 10 simple activity ideas with no right or wrong way to do them. Plus, they’re free or very low cost.

10 fantastic, failure-free activities for people with dementia

Each person is different, so it might take experimenting or creative thinking to find activities that appeal to them.

Safety note: Avoid sharp objects and only give items that are safe for your older adult. For example, if they put things in their mouth or tie up body parts, avoid string, small items, or things that will break when bitten.

1) Fold towels
Asking an older adult to help you fold laundry is a great way to keep them occupied, give them an activity they can feel successful at, and help them feel like they’re contributing to the household.

The goal is to keep them happily engaged. Hand towels are best because they’re small and easily folded.

No matter how well or poorly the towels are folded, the point is that your older adult feels good about the activity.

2) Create a memory box
A memory or rummage box can help your older adult feel connected to their past career and previous hobbies.

Get any box and fill it with things they would have used at work, copies of photos, and non-important keepsakes, or objects from hobbies.

For example, for a former office worker, create a box that reminds them of their career. In the box, include paper clips, pencils, erasers, paper, letters (junk mail), a calculator, file folders, notepads, etc..

If the person used to do handy work, put nuts, bolts, PVC pipe pieces and fittings, a piece of wood (no splinters), fine-grit sandpaper, and twine in their box.

Someone who enjoys cooking or baking might enjoy measuring spoons, a whisk, a spatula, and other related items.

This can work for any job or hobby; just be creative about finding objects that are safe to handle.

3) Untie knots
Find our medium-thickness rope at the local hardware store. Loosely tie a few simple knots and ask your older adult to help you untie them.

4) Thread pasta with yarn or string
Get dry pasta with big holes and thick yarn or regular string. Make a “needle” by taping around the end of the string, making it longer than the piece of pasta.

Have your older adult string the pasta using their “needle” and thread.

5) Create a box of fun fabrics
This is fun for everyone, but especially for someone who used to enjoy sewing or fabric crafts.

Get a box and put dozens of pieces of assorted fabrics inside. Try to get different colors and textures, such as lace, felt, silk, velvet, wool, and cotton.

Your older adult can enjoy touching, folding, and sorting the fabrics.

6) Make a DIY picture puzzle
Print a copy of a favorite family photo or scenery unique to your older adult. You could also print out a photo or image they like, like a car or colorful fruit.

Laminate the photo and cut it into four (or more) puzzle-piece-shaped pieces to make a personalized DIY puzzle.

7) Cut pictures from old magazines or calendars
Older adults might like leafing through old magazines or calendars and cutting out their favorite images. It’s best to use magazines that reflect their hobbies or interests.

Those who’d enjoy it could also paste the pictures into a notebook, creating a fun “scrapbook.”

8) $7 Puzzle cube
This fun puzzle cube is brightly colored and can provide lots of no-pressure fun for older adults who like to fidget with objects. It’s like a simplified version of a Rubik’s cube.

The object of this game is to enjoy turning the cube pieces and creating different color combinations on each face.

Those who are able might enjoy mixing up the colors and returning the faces to a single color.

9) $10 Large print playing cards
Playing card games is an excellent activity for older adults, especially when the letters and numbers are large and easily read.

Someone with early dementia might enjoy simple card games like solitaire, go fish, blackjack, or war. An older adult in later stages might enjoy simply shuffling the cards or separating them by color or suit.

Please pay attention to their level of enjoyment. If they seem overwhelmed or frustrated, you may want to remove some cards so they don’t have to manage so many.

10) $16 Pattern blocks and boards
These fun shapes can be used in various ways. Seniors can use the included boards to create colorful pictures, make free-form shapes, or trace the shapes on paper.

Recommended for you:

• 6 Ways to Calm Dementia Fidgeting Hands
• Physical Activities for Seniors with Dementia: 12 Exercise Ideas
• 6 Sensory Activities for Dementia Calm and Soothe

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About the Author

Connie Chow

Connie 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 knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.