As dementia progresses, some activities you or your loved one once enjoyed may become more difficult. But an Alzheimer’s diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of pleasant afternoons or laughter with loved ones. At any stage of Alzheimer’s disease, there are ways to stay active and enjoy time with others. The right activities can be not only enjoyable but also beneficial for cognitive function and emotional well-being.

Staying active, to the best of their ability, can be a great way for people with dementia to stay healthy and improve their quality of daily life. It’s important for people with dementia and their loved ones to know about different social, mental, and physical activities that can be beneficial and choose the right ones together.

Activity at Any Stage

Alzheimer’s disease typically involves a progressive decline in memory and the ability to complete tasks. But there are many ways for people with Alzheimer’s, or other types of dementia, to adapt the activities they once enjoyed so they can stay active for longer. In the early stages of dementia, people may still be able to do the same things they previously enjoyed in simpler forms, for shorter periods of time, or in less crowded settings. As the disease progresses, it can be helpful to focus on sensory experiences like taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight.

As a caregiver, it is important to be patient, stop if something isn’t working, and focus on the experience instead of the outcome. Many activities can also help manage agitation.

6 Arts and Music Activities

Drawing, painting, playing an instrument, singing, or listening to music can be fun and stimulating for people with dementia. These creative activities can all be adapted to suit a person’s abilities.

One myALZteam member shared how their loved one continued to enjoy literature after he was no longer able to read. “Audiobooks were a huge blessing for us. We loaded books on his phone, and he was able to enjoy them a lot, even though reading had become too difficult for him.”

Music therapy has been shown to improve memory recall and increase the verbal skills of people with dementia and reduce stress for caregivers. Similarly, visual art therapies, like drawing, painting, sculpting, and handling art objects have been shown to reduce agitation and improve mood and well-being among people with dementia. Many myALZteam members have described how their loved ones perk up and engage when they hear a favorite song. “I find music, especially the “Oldies-but-Goldies,” are soothing and brings a sparkle to my husband’s eyes. He even tries to remember the words and sing along,” one member said.

Try some of these arts activities with your loved one:

1. Visit an art exhibit.
2. Draw or paint together.
3. Listen to an audiobook.
4. Sculpt with Play-Doh or air-dry clay.
5. Read a children’s book to a child.
6. Listen to, play along with, or dance to a favorite song.

7 Outdoor and Gardening Activities

Spending time outside can bring relief and joy to everyone. And for people with dementia, research shows that positive impacts are even more significant. Just 30 minutes outdoors each day can improve quality of life, engagement, and cognitive function.

There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors and to adjust activities as symptoms progress. Physical activity outside can be nice, but if walking or moving is hard, try less strenuous activities instead. One myALZteam member shared, “My husband and I used to volunteer at a ranch, and working with the horses was amazing. It really made a difference for him. As his abilities declined, we were still able to go, and now we just pet the ponies.”

Try some of these engaging outdoor activities:

1. Plant something, water the garden, or pull weeds.
2. Rake leaves or sweep the porch.
3. Take a short walk.
4. Find a bench and people-watch in the park.
5. Drive along a beach or waterfront.
6. Feed the birds.
7. Enjoy a cup of tea or lemonade on the patio.

6 Puzzle and Game Activities

Simple yet stimulating and challenging tasks like puzzles and games can help people with dementia stay sharp and slow some forms of cognitive decline. It’s important to tailor activities to your or your loved one’s capabilities, to avoid frustration. Many companies now offer special apps, board games, and puzzles designed for people with dementia, but those made for young children could work well, too.

Try some of these fun activities together:

1. Work on a simple jigsaw puzzle.
2. Complete a sudoku puzzle.
3. Work on a crossword puzzle together.
4. Play catch with a soft ball.
5. Use fidget toys.
6. Play dominoes or cards.

6 Social and Conversational Activities

Research shows that talking about the past (sometimes called reminiscence therapy), can be very beneficial to people living with dementia. Having conversations and spending time with loved ones not only helps them feel loved and cared for but can also help improve memory recall and quality of life.

The good news is that almost any interactive activity you do with your loved one can have positive effects. One myALZteam member described how simple activities have helped their family member. “My mother can’t do any of the things she used to enjoy, like cooking, reading, shopping, or traveling. To keep her occupied, we’ve reorganized dresser drawers and her jewelry box, gone through boxes of photos, and worked on the family tree together. She has short-term memory loss but remembers family history clearly and loves to talk about relatives and past events. She visibly enjoys our conversations.”

Try some of these conversational and interactive activities:

1. Clean, fold laundry, or organize together.
2. Talk about plans for upcoming holidays or milestones.
3. Look through a family photo album together.
4. Share stories about childhood.
5. Cook or read a favorite family recipe.
6. Draw a family tree.

Get More Ideas Online

Remember that feeling alone or stuck is normal when you or a loved one is dealing with dementia. Many resources offer activity ideas, peer-based learning, and live support to help you engage, stay active, manage challenges, and enjoy time with your loved ones. Regardless of your ability or the stage of the disease, there is an activity that is right for you.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with dementia and their loved ones, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s disease.

Are you living with or caring for someone with dementia? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.