As dementia progresses, you may notice less interest in activities and more time sitting. This is often due to the changes in the brain that can cause decreased initiation, attention, sequencing, planning and problem solving skills.
How do you engage your loved one?
Care partners can help by breaking tasks down into one to two steps or setting up activities and doing activities together. Activities should provide a “Just Right” challenge and opportunity for the individual living with dementia to be successful. In the early stages of dementia, individuals may only need help with setting up an activity but as the disease progresses they will need someone to do an activity with them.
If you notice frustration with an activity or avoidance, try a different activity or break down the activity. For example, if an individual with dementia loves cooking but can no longer follow a recipe, that doesn’t mean they cannot participate in cooking tasks. Engage them by inviting them to pour pre-measured ingredients set up for them into a bowl and then mix them. You can also use pre-made cookie dough and help them place the cookies on the cookie sheet. (Care partners should provide assistance with the stove for safety)
There are many household activities that can be broken down into steps. Most people have a desire to succeed and need a purpose. With dementia, that need is still there but may require assistance.
Focus on what they can do and not on lost skills.
Additional activity ideas that can be purchased: (appropriate for moderate dementia)
Reusable Water Color Paintings