- Activity Books
- Coloring Book
Reduces anxiety, provides entertainment etc. Link is an example - any coloring book will do, as long as it does not seem childish and is large enough to keep the patient engaged. The designs must be simple and large.Activity Books
- Doodling for Seniors
Large Connect the Dots and Illustrative MathActivity Books
- Finish the Phrase Trivia bookActivity Books
- Simple Word SearchActivity Books
- Games
- Colors and Shapes Bingo GameGames
- Match the Pins
Matching activity with clothespins and color templates -- For purchaseGames
- Match the Pins
Matching activity with clothespins and color templates -- Make one at homeGames
- Qwirkle
Simple board game, similar to Dominoes but matching is done with shapes and colorsGames
- Tangle Relax Therapy
Helps keep the patient's hands occupied by increasing finger dexterityGames
- Crafts
- Crochet/Knitting loom
Perfect for former knitters or crocheters -- Read about itCrafts
- Easy-knot fleece blanket
Provides an entertaining way to stay busy while allowing patient to feel accomplished about their crafty creationCrafts
Magazines
- -Place a stack of magazines onto the table
- -Ask patient to find a variety of pictures to create a personalized page for a scrapbook or small poster board
- -Provide a theme to work with, such as 'things to do on summer day ', 'furniture you would find in a house or 'animals that are found in a barn'
- -Allow patient to look through the pages looking for objects that complete the theme
- Play dough
Encourages creativity and allows the patient to create something. Great exercise for the handsCrafts
- Roll yarn into a ball
Perfect for former knitters or crocheters -- Read about itCrafts
Stringing
- -Get jumbo buttons or large jewelry beads and allow patients to lace the beads onto string
- -Provides visual and tactile stimulation, hand exercise and hand-eye coordination
- -Perfect for a former seamstress or any patient who enjoys mixing and matching colors and shapes
- Purchase option 1Crafts
- Pruchase option 2Crafts
- Homemade Activities
Organizing and sorting activities
- -Nail polish and lipsticks, sorting by color, brand or on a scale of 1–10, in order of preference
- -Buttons, using muffin tins to sort by color, size or style
- -Coins, according to date, value or place of origin
- -The pantry, arranging cans and jars by size, brand or contents
- -Playing cards into decks that match, or into suits within a deck, or by numbers
- -Tupperware by size or color
- -M&Ms, using muffin tins to sort them by color. Choose one color to eat!
Puzzles
- -Make personalized jigsaw puzzles by cutting family photos into two or three large pieces
- -Once the patient gets used to the activity, the photo can be cut into smaller pieces to make the activity more interesting
- -Keep the pattern simple.
"Shuffle a prayer/saying"
- -Type up lines of their favorite prayer or saying on separate pieces of paper (in big letters)
- -Allow them to put the words in order
- -Keep it simple and include a few words per sheet of paper
Sorting games
- -Take objects of the same type and have the patient sort them by color, shape, or design
- -This is highly effective when you incorporate the patient's hobbies and interests
- -Ex: If the patient loved baseball, they can sort baseball cards by team or position
- -Ex: If they loved carpentry, they can sort tools by name (as long as they pose no danger to the patient)
- -Ex: Use old family photos and ask the patient to sort the photos by topic, subject, type etc.
- Online Videogames
- MindMate
Free app made specifically for patients with Dementia, includes simple, mind-stimulating games focused on memory, problem-solving, attention, and speedOnline Videogames
- Luminosity
Free limited features online or in app form (also offers paid membership). Includes many games that range from problem solving, memory, and cognitive abilities. Includes games for different interests such as mactching shapes, mathematical games, animal games etcOnline Videogames
- Jigzone
Free website that provides online jigsaw puzzles that can be as simple as 6 pieces. Great tool, allows for the selection of different puzzles based on interests and puzzle sizeOnline Videogames
- Staying Sharp Brain Games by AARP
Free website that provides a wide variety of games with varying difficulty based on age and other factors. There are many games on this site and some are very simple, however some are much more difficult. A caregiver should decide which games are appropriate for the patientOnline Videogames
- Fit Brains
Smart games and puzzles designed by neuroscientists to stimulate and exercise the brain. Full features require purchasing a membershipOnline Videogames
- Dakim
Brain fitness program with games that improve attention and concentration. Offers a free trialOnline Videogames