Things to do with a Person who has Alzheimer’s Disease

When I was caring for my mom, I knew it was important to keep her busy, active and feeling valued. Not just through word but also through deed. Though she was limited in one way, physically she was alright and thankfully she was mobile, but I wanted to find little jobs that she could do while  sitting down. She embraced her jobs and took pride in what I gave her like folding the towels and pillow cases and regardless if they weren’t folded evenly, I appreciated the help and she appreciated being needed.

We’d look at pictures, and movies. I got her a coloring book and even kid puzzles for her to do, which I did the with her, but it usually wasn’t her favorite. With much on my plate and as creative as I can be, I found myself at a loss as to what other “safe” activities that she could do or that I could do with her.

So once when I took her for an assessment appointment, I asked her doctor if there is a list of recommended activities that I could do with her. I was given a list of 101 Things to do with a Person who has Alzheimer’s Disease, that had been complied by the Alzheimer’s Association in 1999. After looking over the list,  I understand these are suggestions and for people at different stages of AD, yet some of the activities I still wouldn’t have wanted my mother to engage in yet. But they do spark activity ideas and room for personal interpretation.

So if you happen to be at a lost for activities or perhaps you may already have a great list and would like to expand upon your own, I have a narrowed down list of recommendations (some are my own, some from the Alzheimer’s Assoc.) to get you started. Here are 60 Things to do with a Person who has Alzheimer’s Disease:

1. Clip coupons
2. Count tickets
3. Walk the dog
4. Have a calm pet visit
5. Fold towels
6. Use the carpet sweeper
7. Sort poker chips
8. Look up names in a phone book
9. Toss a ball
10. Look at family photographs
11. Color pictures
12. Wipe off the table
13. Make homemade lemonade
14. Ask a friend/neighbor/church/acquaintance who has a baby to visit
15. Take a walk
16. Put silverware away
17. Make a Valentine/Picture collage
18. Fold clothes
19. Cut pictures out of greeting cards
20. Sort objects such as beads by shape or color
21. Wash silverware
22. Bake bread/pie + Stir the ingredients for baking
23. Say “tell me more” when they start talking
24. Read a book out loud
25. Read labels out loud
26. Take a ride
27. Make a basket of socks
28. Reminisce about the first day of school
29. Sing Christmas (Holiday) songs
30. Play favorite songs and sing together
31. Make a fresh fruit salad
32. Have afternoon tea
33. Play Pictionary
34. Make a family tree poster
35. Cut out paper dolls
36. Water outside plants
37. Water house plants
38. Sing favorite hymns
39. Dye Easter eggs
40. String Cheerios
41. Sweep the patio
42. Paint a sheet or paper
43. Finish famous sayings
44. Identify states
45. Talk about their youth and see if they remember family members
46. Dance
47. Make homemade ice cream
48. Play horse shoes
49. Sort playing cards by color
50. Name the Presidents
51. Finish Bible quotes
52. Make Christmas/Holiday cards
53. Arrange fresh flowers
54. Fold underwear
55. Wipe off patio furniture
56. Give a manicure
57. Roll yarn into a ball
58. Dress in a football team color and make decorations
59. Decorate paper place mats
60. Ask simple questions