The Ultimate Guide to Montessori Activities for Dementia

Did you know the Montessori method of teaching can be applied to dementia activities?

In fact, person-centred activities inspired by the Montessori approach are proven to promote independence and self-worth, as well as reducing agitation and anxiety in people with dementia. Not only that, but they can be adapted for all stages to significantly improve memory and motor skills.

If you’re a carer for someone with dementia or you work in a memory care setting, this one’s for you.

Learn more about the benefits of Montessori-based activities for people living with dementia and discover how easy it is to organise them for your loved one or residents.

What is the Montessori method?

The Montessori method was created in the 1900s by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori.

Developed as an antidote to strict Catholic teaching styles that focused on reward and punishment, the Montessori method instead centred on following children’s natural instincts and interests, allowing them to explore and learn at their own pace.

And while it still has its roots firmly in education, its principles are now used for people with dementia to maintain their independence and enjoy a sense of accomplishment by taking part in purposeful group activities.

Dr Cameron Camp, an expert in gerontology – the scientific study of old age – is thought to be the first person to adapt the concepts of Montessori teaching for individuals with dementia in the late 1990s.

What are the benefits of the Montessori approach for people with dementia?

In dementia aged care environments, using the Montessori approach to create a programme of person-centered activities comes with a host of benefits.

• Enhanced engagement – the Montessori method encourages active participation through activities that cater to individual needs and abilities, so it can increase engagement or allow higher participation in care settings.
• Reduced anxiety – by providing structured routines and meaningful tasks, the Montessori approach can help reduce some of the stress and anxiety that can be experienced by people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions.
• Improved cognitive function – sensory-friendly, engaging activities could boost cognitive function and even memory in people with dementia.
• Increased independence – activities that focus on self-sufficiency and choice empower people with dementia to feel more independent. 
• Better wellbeing and quality of life – meaningful activities and increased social interaction can boost self-esteem and reduce isolation. 
• Reduced medication use – some studies suggest Montessori-based activities can contribute to a decrease in the use of medications. 
• Improved functional abilities – activities can help maintain and even improve motor skills, making everyday activities like eating and getting dressed easier.

And the good news? 

You don’t need to be an expert to use Montessori for dementia activities – read on to find out how you can start planning your own and reap the benefits in your dementia care setting or home.

Key elements of the Montessori method for dementia

Montessori-based activities for persons with dementia tend to be: 

• Person-centred
• Hands-on
• In a structured environment
• Incorporating movement
• Promoting independence, respect, and autonomy
• Sensory-driven.

Montessori activity ideas 

So, now you have an idea of the principles and benefits, let’s explore some activity ideas you can try for yourself. 

We’ve separated these into different categories so you can decide which area you’d like to focus on, and plan a varied programme.

1. Sensory activities

• Folding towels
• Matching scent jars (lavender, mint, etc.)
• Sorting textured fabrics or materials
• Sound matching with small shakers.

2. Memory and cognitive activities

• Picture matching (family photos, vintage adverts, animals)
• Sorting items by category (e.g. fruit vs veg, summer vs winter items)
• Reminiscence cards and games
• Scrapbooking.

3. Motor skills and coordination

• Peg boards or bead threading
• Sorting buttons, coins, or pom poms
• Puzzle boards with knobs
• Screwing/unscrewing items (nuts and bolts, jar lids)

4. Daily living activities

• Folding napkins or pairing socks
• Putting laundry away
• Sweeping with a handheld brush
• Setting a table with plastic utensils
• Watering plants or flower arranging.

5. Creative activities

• Painting with water on coloured paper
• Colouring with stencils
• Mindful colouring books
• Play dough or modelling clay
• Simple collaging with magazines or items found in nature.

Discover more free activities for dementia, meaningful dementia activities, and care home activity ideas for people with dementia.

Who are these activities for?

All of the activities we’ve shared here are designed for older adults with dementia to enjoy when organised by:

• Family caregivers at home
• Staff and residents in a memory care environment
• Occupational therapists
• Day centre volunteers.

Tips for planning Montessori activities for dementia

Here are some general guidelines for planning Montessori activities for a loved one or group of people living with dementia.

• Use familiar materials to prevent confusion and anxiety
• Break each task down into simple steps to avoid overwhelm
• Set everyone up for success based on what they can do, rather than what they can’t – there are no right or wrong answers!
• Be patient – take it as slowly as you need to
• Use visual cues, labels, and dementia-friendly colours 
• Stay safe – no sharp or dangerous objects, and use safety scissors for scrapbooking and crafting.

Adapting activities to different stages of dementia

Of course, abilities and comprehension levels change as people progress through the different stages of dementia.

So, it’s important to adapt activities for different individuals, tailoring your programme to suit the person or people taking part.

A quick guide below:

• Early stage dementia: you can allow for lots of independence and choice in activities, being led by their interests and capabilities.
• Middle stage: think about incorporating visual prompts and reducing the amount of steps to keep it simple and effective.
• Advanced dementia: focus on sensory stimulation, emotional connection, and using music to evoke positive emotions. 

Implementing Montessori ideas as a caregiver or care home employee

Interestingly, it’s not just pre-planned activities that can benefit from a Montessori-inspired touch. You can actually incorporate the principles into your physical environment (whether that’s your home or care setting) to help extend those benefits to other areas of everyday life.

For example:

• Use labels and open shelving to encourage independence and choice.
• Provide choices in daily living (being mindful about avoiding too many choices that could cause overwhelm).
• Reduce clutter and distractions from your environment to promote feelings of calm and wellbeing.
• Encourage aspects of movement and flow in everyday life to boost physical and mental health. 

Supporting positive engagement and connection in memory care

A Good Day was created to help improve the quality of life for people with dementia.

Having experienced life with dementia ourselves, we know the importance of connection and compassion, and we create dementia-friendly games and activities to help you find those pockets of sunshine in each and every day.

We know small efforts make a big difference to wellbeing in dementia, so we hope these activity ideas inspire you to try something new.

If you do, please get in touch and let us know!