A hand massage using a little lotion with a favorite or relaxing scent is a simple way to connect and reduce tension.
Hand lotion. (An example of a complete Hand and Foot Lotion kit.)
Gently rub your loved one's hands. Be sure to be very soft in your pressure. Hand lotion can help.
Putting something familiar or meaningful in the hands of someone with dementia can provide a great deal of comfort and help soothe restless energy.
Pick objects that are sentimental to your loved one. Have them hold the object, and describe to you what it means to them or why it's important.
Using music as a means of relaxation is a great way to distract someone who may be distressed. Music can be used in a variety of ways, but it is most important to choose music that your love one connects to and is familiar with. While jazz may soothe one person it could agitate another.
Choose music that is tailored to the person. Ideally, something that the person has heard in their youth. Songs that were popular when the person was in their youth, teens, or early twenties would be a good place to start. To discover the best music, ask questions like these:
Did the loved one grow up with ethnic music and have favorites?
Favorite movie musical, if any?
Favorite Broadway musical, if any?
Is there a favorite WW2 or other war-related song?
Is there a favorite opera? Classical score?
Does/did the loved one attend religious services? What denomination? Do they have any favorite hymns?
You can also find lists of the most popular songs from each decade at Acclaimed Music.
Have a playlist of at least five songs that are soothing. Sit in a comfortable chair and listen
Having a person with dementia work with buttoning and unbuttoning, zipping and unzipping, serves a number of meaningful goals. This activity aids maintaining fine motor skills, and it provides a sense of accomplishment. If a person can successfully button and unbutton, he or she can potentially put on their shirt independently.
Backpack with lots of zippers. and latches would be ideal.
A shirt for buttons.
Practice zipping and buttoning with your loved one.
A "Quiet Room" is a great place for your loved one to spend some downtime in a relaxed atmosphere.
Instructions:
Designate a room or space with bright light and minimal sensory distractions. Perhaps calm music or a puzzle can be brought into this space.
Activities in which a person feels they are helping or being of service aid in creating positive feelings. This simple activity is something many people can do and is a calming task.
Have your loved one fold towels. If you have different colors, ask them to match the correct colors up as well.
Like most Montessori activities, this is self-correcting so there is minimal need for the caregiver to be involved in the activity. Perfect to keep you loved one occupied if you need a moment of time to regroup.
Create a nut and bolt kit by supergluing bolts in place on a wooden board and place the nuts in a container next to the activity. The participant chooses from the container and guesses which ones fit until all nuts are on the correct bolt.
Sorting is a simple activity that can be done with a variety of materials. The person you care for can do this activity independently if they are not at risk of choking, and it can be done over and over again.
Sorting objects can include:
Ask your loved one to sort buttons, coins, silverware etc. You can ask them to sort by color, size, shape.
A great activity to do together is to start a fish tank. It has been suggested that just watching fish in their habitat, their movements and their interactions with other fish can be a stress relieving and entertaining.
Allow the care recipient to make the decorative decisions with regards to what color rocks you will choose, what figurines you may put in the tank and what type of fish you would like to have. Selection of a fish bowl can be modified to a fish bowl to fit your budget. There are also mechanical fish for sale that are battery operated to swim about the tank (however, read reviews before you buy).
This is a great way to provide some pampering. A manicure complete with a beautiful color can leave someone feeling refreshed and more vibrant.
Give your loved one a manicure.