Creative activities can have “profound positive effects” on people living with dementia. They evoke memories, offer the opportunity for self-expression, and provide a sense of identity and purpose – all in all, doing wonders to improve quality of life.
But who has hours to plan elaborate activities with expensive elements? Not us. And we’re guessing not you either. So, does that mean creativity is out of the question?
Or is there a way to enjoy meaningful activities with minimal effort?
The answer is yes! Creativity can be pleasingly simple and still provide stimulation and boost wellbeing for people with dementia.
Ready to discover your ultimate list of low-effort creative activities suitable for people with dementia?
Let’s dive in…
Art based therapeutic activities
2. Watercolour painting with simple brush strokes
3. Finger painting
4. Dot painting using cotton buds
5. Colouring mandalas
6. Painting pebbles or stones
7. Sticker art
8. Decorating pre-cut cardboard shapes
9. Making simple collages from magazines
10. Tearing coloured paper and arranging pictures.
Nature-based creative activities
11. Pressing flowers between books
12. Creating leaf rubbings with crayons
13. Arranging flowers in a vase
14. Making nature collages from leaves and petals
14. Decorating plant pots
15. Creating miniature indoor gardens in trays
16. Collecting interesting leaves during a walk
17. Making simple lavender sachets
18. Decorating pinecones with paint
19. Creating seasonal displays from natural objects.
Low-effort sensory activities
20. Playing with modelling clay or air-dry clay
21. Making textured artwork using fabric scraps
22. Exploring sensory baskets filled with different textures
23. Arranging buttons by colour or size
24. Sorting ribbons and fabrics
25. Making simple pom-poms
26. Weaving ribbons through card templates
27. Creating textured collages with wool, lace and felt
28. Rolling and shaping salt dough
29. Decorating cards with foam stickers.
Memory and nostalgia activities
30. Creating a scrapbook
31. Decorating a photo frame
32. Making a “favourite things” collage
33. Sorting old postcards and discussing memories
34. Creating a family tree poster
35. Decorating a memory box
36. Designing a poster about a favourite decade.
Simple craft activities
37. Decorating greeting cards
38. Making paper chains
39. Decorating bookmarks
40. Folding simple paper flowers
41. Stringing large beads onto cord
42. Creating colourful window displays.
General creative activities
43. Enjoying a jigsaw puzzle
44. Listening to music
45. Simple conversation games
46. Looking through photo albums
47. Seated dancing
48. Poetry readings
49. Balloon volleyball
50. Seasonal activities – like Valentine’s or Christmas card-making, Easter bonnet decorating, or autumn wreath-making.
How to plan activities for dementia patients in a care home
Whether you’re in your own home or a care home, try not to overwhelm yourself with complicated plans and opt for the simplest way to inject creativity.
The goals of your activity should be involvement and enjoyment, not the finished product or result, so don’t add any pressure to complete it or achieve a certain outcome. Even a short burst of creativity can provide a wellbeing boost and a little cognitive stimulation in dementia care, so if a new activity doesn’t last very long it’s not a failure. Leave it there and try again another day.
It may be beneficial to offer different options, but not too many. And remember to keep things familiar where you can – familiar materials, themes, and objects create comfort for people with dementia.
Above all, gently encourage participation and social interaction without any obligation – start something alongside your loved one, or start a conversation about colours or sounds to see where it leads.
Creativity and dementia: where it all began
Having lived with dementia ourselves, we know how lovely it can be to connect over a shared activity.
When our co-founder Emily’s Nana Pauline was in the later stages of dementia, she still enjoyed looking at magazine clippings of holidays in Spain to reminisce about her time living there. We couldn’t believe how much it stimulated her brain and improved her mood.
We created a range of dementia-friendly games and activities so other families could keep that connection going after a diagnosis of dementia – we hope they help you in your journey as a family member, friend or carer.