Activities for All 7 Stages of Dementia
Are you new to dementia caregiving or are you noticing that as your LOWD transitions to a new stage that the things that used to work aren't working anymore?
In this post, I'll share an activity idea that I have seen success in for every stage of dementia from the early, mid and late stages so that you can stop wasting time trying to figure out what works and more time enjoying your person with dementia.
By the way, when you do get that win, comment it down below so we can celebrate you and while you're at it, join our facebook group so a LOT of us can celebrate you.
#1: Early Stages 1-3: Keeping Up Familiar Activities (with some adjustments)
The first stage where person with dementia is not yet noticing anything different (before onset of disease), so they don’t require any activity help from you.
The second stage where the person with dementia noticing some impairments like forgetting everyday phrases or names, forgetting the location of important objects (misplacing eyeglasses or car keys) but being able to hide it from friends in family. They may need minor assistance like having their normal activity items out or needing reminders but aside from that can do activities they have done in the past without much assistance.
In stage 3, friends and family are noticing symptoms like:
Trouble with complex tasks and problem-solving
Memory loss and forgetfulness
Asking the same question repeatedly
Diminished work performance
Poor concentration and disorganization
Struggles with driving
Getting lost
Likely, stage 3 is when a diagnosis might happen if your LOWD didn't already seek it out on their own in stage 2
Stage 3 is likely where as a family member or friend, you'll likely be involved. At this stage, helping your LOWD maintain activities they have always done but with more assistance from you.
These activities could be:
Getting them setting up reminders for them around their or your home if they live with you at this time
Help them with errands
Logistics like bills or setting up care
Do physical activities with them like walking
So they can do their hobbies and everyday activities as much as possible
While doing all of this will not stop their decline, it will help them keep up with their mental and physical health
which does play an important role in how dramatically they decline physically and mentally as they move through the stages.
#2: Middle Stages 4-5: Activities According to Abilities
In the middle stages 4 & 5, you'll likely start to see
Social withdrawal
Moodiness
Non-responsive
Trouble with routine tasks
Denial
Confusion/forgetfulness
Memory loss of personal details and current events
Reduced mental acuity and problem-solving ability
Symptoms of dementia will be really obvious to everyone around you and them
This will likely be the time your LOWD will need to move in with you or in memory care if they haven't already. At this point, activities will be your main non-medical tool to manage their behavioral symptoms and keep them calm.
The best activities for middle stages are based on 3 things:
1) Activities based on things they used to do/like
2) Their needs in the moment
3) Activities according to their ability
Some examples of activities that could work for them are:
Former secretary=sort office supplies to calm agitation due to not knowing what she needs to do
Had a garden= water plants in wheelchair outside to lesson the chance of sundowning
Former musician= ask him sing along with familiar songs to calm anxiety
#3 Late Stage Activities 6-7: Activities Based on the Senses
In the late stages 6 & 7, you'll see:
an increase in the behavioral symptoms you have been seeing
Trouble sleeping
Increased paranoia or delusions
Anxiety
Difficulty recognizing loved ones
And overall, struggle to physically care for themselves
or move around freely especially in stage 7
Activities that are effective in the late stages are ones that stimulate the senses of your LO. Those are touch, taste, smell, hearing and vision. However, with vision and hearing often being in decline with aging in general is something to keep in mind.
Examples of late stage appropriate activities are:
Listening to familiar music together while holding their hand
Having them touch or smell a flower while you garden
Having them taste test a meal your in the process making
Watching a nature documentary with calming music
At these stages, keep the activities very simple and straight forward will help keep your LOWD calm and comfortable.
So there you have it, the Activity Ideas for All 7 Stages of Dementia.
Stages 1-3: Help them with activities with reminders and helping with logistics of their life.
Stages 4-5: Make sure the activity you do helps meet a need in the moment, has to do with their job or hobbies, and is reasonable for their physical ability level
Stages 6-7: Base activities off of their senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing.
Try at least 1 of these 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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