10 Great Activities for People with Dementia

Finding the right activity for someone with dementia isn't about filling time; it's a powerful form of care that can reduce anxiety, spark joy, and restore a sense of purpose. But so many well-intentioned activities backfire, leading to frustration for everyone.

The secret isn't adding more stimulation; it's shifting your entire approach from achievement-based tasks to connection-centered experiences. The following “no-fail” ideas are designed to help you create moments of calm, happy engagement for you and your loved one.

Why These Activities Work for People with Dementia

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

When other hobbies fail, these ideas succeed because they focus on what remains, not what's lost. They are built on core principles that reduce anxiety and promote success:

• Engage the Senses: Scent, touch, and sound can unlock positive memories and emotions without relying on short-term memory.

• Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: There's no “right” or “wrong” way to do most of these, which eliminates the frustration of failure.

• Use Muscle Memory: Repetitive, simple motions (like folding or rocking) feel familiar and calming to the body.

• Prioritize Connection: The ultimate goal isn't a perfect product; it's a moment of shared experience and nonverbal bonding.

10 Fantastic, Failure-Free Activities for People with Dementia

Each person is unique, so it may take some experimentation 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 using string, small items, or objects that can break when bitten.

 VIDEO: Great Activities for those with Dementia

1) Fold Towels Together

Asking an older adult to help you fold laundry is a great way to keep them occupied, provide an activity they can excel at, and help them feel like they’re contributing to the household. The goal is to keep them happily engaged.

Simple, repetitive tasks like folding warm towels or matching socks can provide a profound sense of purpose and usefulness. The tactile sensation is also calming. Towels are great because they’re small and easily folded.

No matter how well or poorly the towels are folded, the point is that an adult with dementia feels good about the activity, and about themselves.

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Keep a dedicated basket with clean, simple-to-fold items like washcloths and hand towels. When restlessness strikes, you have a ready-to-go activity that feels genuinely helpful.

2) Activities for People with Dementia: Create a Memory Box

A memory box (or rummage box) can help an older adult feel connected to their past career and previous hobbies.

Acquire any box and fill it with items 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, junk mail (letters), a calculator, file folders, notepads, and other relevant items.

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 may appreciate measuring spoons, a whisk, a spatula, and other related kitchen tools.

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

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Rotate the objects every few days to keep the activity feeling new and interesting without being overwhelming.

3) Untie Knots From a Rope or String

Find a rope of medium thickness at your local hardware store. Loosely tie a few simple knots and ask an older adult to help you untie them. Simple right? You'd be surprised at how pleasing this can be for someone who desperately wants to find success at just about anything.

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Make sure that the knots aren't too difficult to untie. We're aiming for entertainment and success, not frustration.

4) Arrange Flowers Together

Provide a sturdy vase and a few fresh, fragrant flowers with the stems already cut to a safe length. The vibrant colors and gentle scent are wonderfully engaging.

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Gardenias, lavender, or roses offer intense, pleasant aromas. Guide their hands gently if they need help placing the flowers.

5) Create a Box of Fun Fabrics or other Objects

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.

An older adult can enjoy touching, folding, and sorting the fabrics, or organizing other items.

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Use items that are too large to be a choking hazard. The satisfying “clink” of buttons going into a metal tin can be part of the sensory appeal, but they can be dangerous if ingested.

6) Make a DIY Picture Puzzle

As we explore activities for people with dementia, here's a great idea: 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.

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Avoid using controversial pictures or photos that may trigger unpleasant memories. Use images that you know won't trigger your loved one.

7) Cut Pictures From Old Magazines or Calendars

Older adults may enjoy browsing through old magazines or calendars and cutting out their favorite images to keep. 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.”

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Purchase some safe scissors, such as those used in schools for children. You don't want to risk a cut while enjoying an activity like this one!

8) Purchase a $7 Puzzle Cube

This fun puzzle cube is brightly colored and can provide lots of no-pressure entertainment for older adults who enjoy fidgeting 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.

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Keep an eye on your loved one to ensure they don't become frustrated with this activity. Many adults without dementia can get frustrated with Rubik's Cubes!

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-stage 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.

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: 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 a variety of ways. Seniors can use the included boards to create colorful pictures, make free-form shapes, or trace the shapes on paper.

💡 Caregiver Pro-Tip: Make sure these pieces aren't ingested. They could be a choking hazard in a worst-case scenario.

📝 Your Caregiver Troubleshooting Guide

If an activity isn't working, don't be discouraged – Pivot! The key is to be observant and flexible.

• Are they agitated? Switch to a more calming, rhythmic activity (like listening to music or rocking).

• Are they unresponsive? Try a different sensory input, like a different texture or a familiar scent.

• Keep it short. Even 5 minutes of positive engagement is a success. The goal is a moment of connection, not a long project.

• Join in. Do the activity alongside them. Your calm presence is the most therapeutic part of the experience.

We hope these ideas help you find new ways to connect and bring peace to your days. What activities have worked for your loved one? Please share your ideas in the comments below.

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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