Spending time with a family member or friend in the middle or late stages of Alzheimer’s can be meaningful and fun, and it's something that children, parents and grandparents can do together. Take your cue from the person living with dementia: What do they like to do? What are they able to do? What are they in the mood for today? And always consider safety before starting an activity.
It doesn’t matter if the activity needs to be done or if it is done well. Even activities that seem like tasks or chores — sweeping or putting away silverware — may bring a comforting sense of familiarity or routine. If it doesn’t work, you can always try something else. Browse this list of activities to do with someone living with Alzheimer's or another dementia.
Outdoor activities
- Take a walk
- Plant flowers
- Water plants
- Feed the birds
- Rake leaves
- Go to the park
- Sit on a bench or a swing
- Watch dogs at a dog park
- Play catch or toss a ball
- Play cornhole
- Visit a beach or forest preserve
- Sweep the porch or patio
- Set up a picnic on the lawn or in the backyard
- Sit on the porch and drink coffee, hot chocolate or lemonade
Indoor activities
- Listen to the person’s favorite music
- Look at family photo albums
- Make a family tree posterboard
- Take photos of the person and make a collage
- Encourage the person to talk more about subjects they enjoy
- Ask the person about their childhood, siblings, school, pets or first car
- Watch a favorite sport on television
- Model with play dough
- Play checkers or dominos
- Name the presidents
- Look at photos in a photography book or magazine
- Identify states on a U.S. map
- Complete a puzzle together
- Read from one of their favorite books
- Watch a favorite movie or sitcom
- Read the newspaper together or read it to them
- Play a card game
- Prepare afternoon tea
- Bake cookies or bread
- Set the table
- Make the person's favorite lunch or snack
- Wash and dry dishes
- Put silverware away
- Fold clothes or towels
- Give the person a hand massage with lotion
- Brush his or her hair
- Give the person a manicure
Family and holiday traditions
- Listen to favorite holiday music
- Make a traditional family recipe
- Bake holiday desserts
- Create holiday greeting cards
- Watch a favorite holiday movie
- Play a piano or guitar and sing holiday songs
- Decorate for a holiday your family celebrates
- Make handmade gifts
- Watch home videos of past family birthdays, weddings, holidays and other special occasions