5 Activities to Do with a Loved One Living with Dementia
Published: 10/05/2025
At Right at Home GF ,we understand that whilst caring for a family member can be extremely rewarding, it also comes with its challenges. As memory begins to fade, your relationship with your loved one means enjoying quality time together and appreciating a shared smile, a gentle touch, or a simple activity completed together. The key is to focus on experiences and activities that feel familiar and safe to your loved one - whilst encouraging cognitive function and memory recall. Below are five meaningful activities that you can complete together, and cherish the moment:
1. Reminiscence with Photos or Music
While dementia often affects short-term memory, the long-term memories that have strong emotions attached to them often remain at the forefront of a loved ones memory recall… which is why it is so important to engage with old photo albums or music. This type of stimulation in cognitive function, unlocks those deeper but more cherished memories - here are some activities that you could do below:
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Label photos with names or dates if you can.
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Use a playlist of songs from their teens or 20s - the “reminiscence bump” period is often the most vivid.
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Watch their reactions and be ready to pause or change if something seems upsetting.
2. Gentle Arts & Crafts
Creative, hands-on activities allow for fun thinking skills! Simple crafty activities such as: finger painting, colouring pages, or drawing offer sensory stimulation, inspire self-expression, and highlight a sense of self-esteem and joy.
Ideas:
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Use easy-to-hold tools like thick crayons or paintbrushes.
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Try seasonal crafts (e.g., decorating pumpkins, making paper snowflakes).
Celebrate the effort over outcome. It’s all about the process!
3. Nature Walks or Garden Time
Spending time outside can have a calming effect and provide gentle physical activity, even just sitting in a sunny garden or watching birds and nature can make such a positive impact on your loved one.
Suggestions:
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Choose familiar or quiet paths to avoid confusion.
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Pick flowers, watch clouds, or listen to nature sounds together.
4. Cooking or Baking Together
Food is a powerful trigger for memories, especially for those living with dementia. Preparing a familiar recipe from their past can evoke cognitive function and provide comfort - it could take them back to a time in their life where they have connotations of certain foods, i.e their wedding day.
Try:
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Easy tasks like stirring, kneading, or decorating.
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Recipes they once loved to cook.
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Talking about family traditions while you work.
5. Memory Boxes
Creating a box filled with meaningful objects and cherished memories like jewellery, pictures, or special keepsakes can stimulate memory recall, and take them on a trip down memory lane.
Make it special:
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Personalise the box based on their life.
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Let them explore at their own pace.
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Ask gentle questions: “Do you remember using this?” or “This looks like something from your garden.”
Dementia may change how your loved one interacts with the world, but it doesn't erase their ability to feel love, joy, or comfort; every shared activity is a chance to connect with words or feelings.
Patience is key!
If you would like to know more about the homecare services from Right at Home GF then please call the friendly team 01252 783426
Related articles:
https://www.rightathome.co.uk/guildford-and-farnham/ https://www.rightathome.co.uk/guildford-and-farnham/the-services-we-offer/
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