Strolling through a garden or creating/tending your own is a great way to engage the sensory system in a soothing way that incorporates smell, sight and touch.
Find a place you know your loved one will enjoy, you can easily find nearby locations on the internet.
Help to guide your loved one around a garden or park.
"Spa Time" is a great way to help your loved one relax, and spend some quality time with you.
Pick and choose your spa supplies based on your choice of spa activities.
Some ideas for "Spa Time" may include playing calming music and having some relaxing lighting (battery operated candles are inexpensive and safe.) Aromatherapy can also provide a tranquil sensory experience, lavender: rose, lemon and vanilla are popular scents. Arm, hand and scalp massages are excellent as well. Another popular idea is a foot soak in warm, scented water, followed by a gentle foot massage.
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.
A quick game of Tic Tac Toe can pass the time.
Make a grid with nine spaces. One person has X's and another person has O's. First person chooses a square to put an X in. Next person chooses a square to put on O in. The person wins when there are three X's or O's in a straight line either up or down or diagonally.
Ask your loved one for help finding an object.
Ask, "Can you help me find?" and then have your loved one look for an item in your bag or around the room.
Having stones that your loved one can handle can be calming, and can give them something to do.
Bring a bag of stones of assorted shapes or colors. Encourage your loved one to sort by size, color, or make patterns and designs with the stones. Making simple pictures like a smiley face is another option. Encourage creativity.
Clay can keep people busy and give their hands something to do.
Clay or Dough
You can suggest simple objects such as a bowl or a face for your loved one to make, or encourage him or her to be creative. You can also select something in the room to copy as a model.
Small crossword puzzle books can keep everyone entertained. Large print ones might be easier.
Large Print Crossword Puzzles
Matching can be fun, and helps to engage your loved one in a mental activity.
Have your loved one match the different patterns or colors of fabric. Make piles out of each kind of fabric.
You can create your own matching game or purchase an already made one. If your loved one enjoys sewing and can still do some stitching, you can make the pieces yourself or have him or her help. For those who cannot sew, fabric choice and pattern tracing is a great way to help.