4 Easy Activities for Middle Stage Dementia
Are you worried about your loved one or client who is following you around, getting into things they shouldn't or worse sits around all day doing nothing? Do you already feel overwhelmed and need to give your person with dementia something to do with their day so you can get on with yours?
In this post, we are going to talk about 4 easy activities for middle stage dementia that will not only keep your person with dementia busy with items you likely have on hand with little effort for you to set up that not only keep them busy but also help prevent challenging behaviors like agitation or restlessness, giving you and them more peace and purpose in your day.
By the way, when you do get that win, comment it down below so we can celebrate you.
#1: A Small Part of a Chore or Task You are Already Doing
The mistake most caregivers make in the middle stages is they assume that because their person with dementia can no longer do things as they use to that they can no longer do anything to help
Asking your person with dementia for their help, their advice or to watch you to see if you're "doing it right" are all easy ways you can get them involved.
Once you have their attention, give them a small part of the task you know they can handle vs the entire task which may be overwhelming.
For example: one of the members in my caregiver membership asked her client to help her take out expired cans from the kitchen cabinet. All the client needed to to was put the can that was handed to her on the counter or simply hold onto it until my member was able to complete the task
By the end, my member's client who before this was pacing the house incessantly was calm and happy having actually done something of value that she likely would have done before dementia and it was no extra effort on my member's part as she would have likely done this task by herself that day anyways.
#2 Do a Craft or Project For People in Your Community
The people in your community can be kids at your local school or hospital, people in local nursing homes or whatever group of people your person with dementia cares about.
Having them work on a project for them will bring more purpose and focus to what they are doing even if it is what you happen to have that day is:
A puzzle
A pen and paper
Having them make cards, draw a picture, or assemble something
Or whatever you have on hand
are all easy ways to spice up what items you may have on hand.
#3: Sorting Items
This can be socks, papers or any safe items you have on hand that is easy to pick up and move and is useful if you need them to do an activity independently.
The way you can engage them in sorting is saying something like:
“Hey, I have a lot on my plate, would you get these (whatever items) in order.”
The goal is to make it something that is a 1 step process where they can feel successful and have it be something you don't care about the outcome of.
#4: Getting Rid of Items
This can be as simple as giving them some items:
Paper to rip up
Boxes to break down
Items to throw away
This is an activity that can give them some easy decisions they can make on their own (to keep or toss an item) or be a simple activity they could do independently with items you have on hand
A quick note is if you see them getting overwhelmed and confused, simplify the task down until they can succeed at it.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 4 easy activities for middle stage dementia
1. Involve them in tasks your doing
2. Get them to do projects for the community
3. Have them sort items
4. Have them get rid of or break down items you have on hand
Try at least 1 of these 4 activities and see if you can get yourself a win with your loved one or client.
If you do, make sure to comment that win down below and while your at it, join my facebook group and share it with our community as well by clicking the link below.
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