Visiting a loved one in memory care can be a rewarding experience. It’s full of opportunities to strengthen your connection and promote cognitive stimulation. Your loved one deserves a life of support and compassion, and these activities help make every moment matter. However, it’s also easy to run out of ideas for your visit.
8 engaging activities for seniors in memory care include:
- Art and craft sessions
- Music therapy
- Storytelling and reminiscing
- Gardening activities
- Gentle exercise and movement
- Puzzles and game time
- Cooking and baking together
- Nature walks and outdoor time
Art & Craft Sessions
Arts and crafts offer significant benefits for older adults. These sessions are wonderful opportunities for self-expression, creativity, and stress reduction. Encourage your loved one to try simple projects involving:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Collages
- Origami
These activities help seniors in memory care stay engaged. It makes every day interesting and encourages them to showcase their unique personality. Arts and crafts also promote cognitive abilities and hand-eye coordination!
Music Therapy
Music has the ability to evoke emotions and memories. It’s a profound activity for older adults living with cognitive conditions. When you visit your loved one, try engaging in music-related activities like singing, dancing, or even just tapping your feet along to a favorite tune.
It can be particularly helpful to:
- Create a personalized playlist filled with their favorite songs
- Encourage them to try playing simple musical instruments
- Share a memory associated with a particular song to spark discussion
- Attend a live music performance together, or watch a concert online
This is a heartwarming way to connect with your loved one. You get to enjoy the moment and bring comfort to their day.
Storytelling & Reminiscing
Sharing stories from the past is more than a way to hear a tale. It’s an opportunity to keep the mind active and engage in meaningful conversations. Encourage your loved one to share their memories and reminisce about the past.
It helps to bring along visual cues, like photo albums or mementos, to prompt the story. Ask questions and practice active listening. This helps them feel heard and supported while reliving their fondest memories. Meanwhile, you can learn more about your loved one’s unique past.
Gardening Activities
Gardening activities help your loved one connect with nature. These bring joy to older adults in memory care along with plenty of benefits. Simple tasks, like planting flowers or tending a small garden, are immensely rewarding.
Gardening offers a sense of purpose and accomplishment to your loved one’s everyday life. You don’t need much space—if there’s no access to outdoor gardens, indoor plants are just as easy to manage.
While visiting, work with your loved one and share stories about their garden. Talk about their favorite plants or techniques and focus on the feelings behind the words. This simple activity can be heartwarming and rewarding.
Gentle Exercise & Movement
Physical activity is an important part of mental and physical health. When you’re visiting a loved one in memory care, try planning for gentle exercise and movement. It’s excellent for the body and mind.
You don’t need to plan out an elaborate workout. Instead, try:
- Chair yoga
- Tai chi
- Walking
- Stretching
- Light dancing
These exercises may be simple, but they’re an excellent way to slow down. Regular exercise is linked with improved cognitive abilities, making it an ideal activity for older adults in memory care.
Puzzle & Game Time
Participating in puzzles and games is a delightful way to spend your visit. These promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and they’re extremely entertaining. These activities can range from jigsaw puzzles to simple card games.
There are plenty of games designed for older adults. These have simple rules, large fonts, and basic interaction to make them senior-friendly. Remember—don’t rush the process. Celebrate the small victories and just be present. This shows love and understanding to your loved one to make the visit more meaningful.
Cooking & Baking Together
Cooking and baking can be opportunities for an engaging experience. You and your loved one can work together to perfect a delicious recipe. This promotes teamwork and gives opportunities for stimulating conversation. If you’re new to cooking, you can find plenty of recipes online.
Ask them about their favorite foods or recipes from their childhood and try to make them together. Try starting with something simple, like cookies or a nice stew, to work on the basics. Make sure you’re including your loved one in the process, and you can enjoy creating memories with your loved one.
How Memory Care Can Help
These activities all provide joy and stimulation during your visit. It’s an excellent way to help your loved one feel loved, valued, and respected—and the importance of this can’t be overstated.At Somerby Lake Nona, we’re happy to offer a community where your loved one is loved every day. Here, we work hard to strengthen connections between residents, and we love to show our support. Contact our team today and schedule a visit—we’re here to help.
