People with Alzheimer’s need to be active and do things they enjoy. However, activities they used to enjoy may become challenging for them as the disease worsens. They may have trouble deciding what to do or starting tasks. As a caregiver, you can learn how to adapt activities to make them easier and more enjoyable.
General tips
Here are some ways to make activities easier and more enjoyable for a person with Alzheimer’s:
- Match the activity with what the person with Alzheimer’s can do.
- Choose activities that can be fun for everyone.
- Help the person get started with the activity.
- Decide if they can do the activity alone or need help.
- Watch to see if the person gets frustrated.
- Make sure they feel successful and have fun.
- Let them simply watch if they seem to enjoy that more.
At home
To help keep days interesting and engaging for people with Alzheimer’s, try coming up with different activities to do each day. Here are some daily activities people with Alzheimer’s may enjoy:
- Cooking and baking: Gather materials, measure ingredients, mix and pour, or tell someone else how to prepare a recipe.
- Exercise: Take a walk together, use a stationary bike, use stretching bands, throw a soft ball or balloon back and forth, lift weights or household items such as soup cans, or follow along with exercise videos or programs for older adults.
- Music and dancing: Play music, talk about the music and the artist, ask what the person with Alzheimer’s was doing when the song was popular, sing or dance to well-known songs, or attend a concert or musical program in the community.
- Pets: Feed, groom, walk, or sit and hold a pet.
- Gardening: Take care of indoor or outdoor plants, plant flowers and vegetables, water the plants when needed, or talk about how much the plants are growing.
- Household chores: Wash dishes, set the table, prepare food, sweep the floor, dust, sort mail and clip coupons, sort socks and fold laundry, or sort recycling materials or other items.
- Visiting with children: Play a simple board game, read stories or books, visit family members who have small children, walk in the park or near schools, or go to school events. If you don’t have children to visit, talk about fond memories from childhood.
Going out
Early in the disease, people with Alzheimer’s may still enjoy the same kinds of outings they enjoyed in the past. Keep going out as long as you both are comfortable. Plan outings for the time of day when the person is at their best. Keep your time away from home from becoming too long so the person with Alzheimer’s doesn’t get too tired. Some places your loved one might enjoy visiting include a:
- Favorite restaurant
- Zoo or aquarium
- Park or nature trail
- Shopping mall
- Swimming pool (during a slow time of day at the pool)
- Museum, theater, or art exhibits for short trips
The person with Alzheimer’s may also enjoy going to a senior center. This type of “going out” could also be considered a form of respite care because it provides an activity for the person with Alzheimer’s and gives the caregiver a break.
Eating at a restaurant
Going out to eat can be a welcome change, but it also poses some challenges. Below are some tips for eating out with a person who has Alzheimer’s:
- Choose a restaurant that the person likes, is quiet, and has quick service and an understanding staff.
- Visit restaurants during “off hours” when they’re less likely to be crowded.
- Consider going to the restaurant earlier in the day so the person is not too tired. Bring supplies such as utensils, a towel, and wipes that the person uses at home.
- At the restaurant, ask for a table near the bathroom.
- Help the person choose their meal, if needed. Read parts of the menu or show the person a picture of the food. Suggest food you know the person likes.
- Ask the server to fill glasses half full or leave the drinks for you to serve.
- Order some finger food or appetizers before the main meal to hold the attention of the person with Alzheimer’s.
Traveling
Taking a person with Alzheimer’s on a trip can be a challenge because it may make the person more worried and confused. Below are some tips that you may find helpful.
- Before you leave, talk with the person’s doctor about medicines to calm someone who gets upset while traveling.
- Think about the person’s unique needs and preferences when choosing transportation, such as a plane, train, or car. Go with the option that provides the most comfort and least anxiety.
- Pack an extra set of clothing and items they enjoy looking at or holding in a carry-on bag.
- Talk to the person about travel plans in advance, but not too far ahead if traveling makes them feel anxious.
- Do not plan too many activities, and plan rest periods.
- During the trip, follow a routine like the one you use at home. Try to have the person eat, rest, and go to bed at the same time as usual.
- Be prepared to cut your visit short if necessary.
- In case the person with Alzheimer’s gets lost, make sure they wear or have something with them that tells who they are, such as an ID bracelet.
Spiritual activities
Being part of a faith community may help someone with Alzheimer’s feel connected to others and remember pleasant times. Here are some ideas to help:
- Involve the person in spiritual activities that they have known well. These might include worship services, religious or other readings, sacred music, prayer, meditation, and holiday rituals.
- Tell people in the preferred faith community about the person’s Alzheimer’s. Encourage them to talk with the person and show they still care.
- Find worship services or readings online if the person is more comfortable at home.
Holidays
Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s may worry about the extra demands that holidays make on their time and energy. Here are some suggestions to make holidays easier:
- Understand that things will be different, and be realistic about what you can do.
- Incorporate the holiday traditions of the person with Alzheimer’s.
- Create a quiet space in case the person with Alzheimer’s needs a break. Have their favorite activities or calming music in that space.
- Ask friends and family to visit. Limit the number of visitors at any one time.
- Avoid crowds, changes in routine, and strange places that may make the person with Alzheimer’s feel confused or nervous.
- Remember to enjoy yourself. Find time for the holiday activities you like to do. Ask a friend or family member to spend time with the person while you’re out.
To learn more, please visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving/adapting-activities-people-alzheimers-disease.