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.
Memory boxes can be a great way to link a person to what they love from their past, helping to restore a person's identity. Some reasons memory boxes are useful:
Help your loved one create a box of memories they can enjoy on a regular basis. When you search for keepsakes, you may find special items you did not realize the senior still had. You can put anything you like in a memory box. If your loved one is able, it is encouraged that he or she participates in the selection of items. You can use any style of box and even make an additional project out of decorating it.
The Multi-Colored Bean Jar Decoration is a fun way to create a decorative element for the home. More importantly, the craft project also involves touching and sorting the beans, which keeps the hands busy.
This is an activity with relatively easy instruction and safe materials depending on your choice of glue. (Using child-safe glue is a safe bet.) You can purchase bird feed or make your own at home as another activity. This activity can also initiate conversations about birds or you can take a walk and look for birds.
There are great instructions at the Creative Cubby website or follow the instructions below.