Recommended recreational activities for older adults with dementia
In senior care facilities and day service centers, there are people with a wide range of needs.
Therefore, it’s important to plan recreational activities that match each older adult’s condition.
This time, we’ll introduce recommended recreational activities for seniors with dementia.
For older adults with dementia, emotional support—such as helping them “feel enjoyment” and “find their place”—is essential.
Activities that are easy to try and encourage interaction among participants are also recommended.
Use this article as a reference when planning recreation for seniors with dementia.
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Recommended Recreational Activities for Older Adults with Dementia (1–10)
craft; handiwork; fabrication; maneuvering (scheming)
Craft-based recreation not only exercises your hands through making things, but also gives you a sense of fulfillment.
It’s said to have a stabilizing effect on both mind and body because you don’t just think about what to make—you also enjoy the process of creating.
In addition, since many nerves in the fingertips connect to the brain, it can provide beneficial stimulation for the brain.
It’s recommended to start by trying simple, easy-to-make crafts.
Recreation using a whiteboard
Let’s use a whiteboard to do whiteboard recreation activities.
Because these are group activities, communication naturally emerges as people participate together.
As a result, relationships among the elderly deepen naturally.
Moreover, associating various ideas can lead to new discoveries, providing good stimulation for the brain.
Shiritori
Shiritori, a word game many of us have played since childhood, is also a recommended recreation for people with dementia.
One of its strengths is how easy it is—no materials or preparation required.
It’s handy for filling small pockets of time, like on the bus when going out to the suburbs.
Another plus is that you can adjust the difficulty to match the person’s cognitive level.
You can customize freely with rules like “three-letter words only” or “food items only.” You could also set a goal, such as “finish after connecting 50 words.”
Recommended Recreational Activities for Older Adults with Dementia (11–20)
beanbags
Otedama is a recommended recreational activity because it’s easy to get started.
It’s enjoyable not only for older adults with dementia but also for small children, so it’s a staple when kindergarteners or preschoolers visit senior facilities.
There are many ways to play, so let’s begin with simple ones.
Because it uses fine motor skills, it can provide good stimulation for the brain.
Coloring book
In recent years, coloring books have become popular among adults as well.
You can even find sophisticated coloring books aimed at adults in bookstores.
Coloring is also recommended as a recreational activity for people with dementia.
The three main reasons are that it stimulates the brain, rehabilitates the hands and fingers, and helps relieve stress.
Activating the brain can help prevent the progression of dementia, and it’s a fun way to improve dexterity.
Plus, the sense of accomplishment after finishing a piece can help reduce stress, so it’s highly recommended!
playing rock-paper-scissors after seeing the opponent’s move (i.e., acting with hindsight/cheating)
If you’re looking for recreational activities that train the brain, such as for dementia prevention, how about “After-the-fact Rock-Paper-Scissors”? Everyone knows rock-paper-scissors, so older adults can start right away.
In this game, the leader shows their hand first, and then participants show theirs, trying to either win or lose according to the instruction.
It’s especially easy to make mistakes when the instruction is to lose, so it’s perfect as a mental workout.
Cooking and baking
Cooking and baking activities are very popular at our facility, so we highly recommend them! When you cook while thinking about steps and efficiency, it stimulates and activates the brain.
It also helps train fine motor skills through detailed tasks.
Food and sweets you enjoy with the sense of accomplishment of having made them yourself taste exceptionally good! Breads and cakes made with seasonal ingredients are especially recommended!
