Caring for a loved one with dementia can bring unique challenges, especially when it comes to keeping them active and engaged. Staying physically and mentally active is not only important for overall health but can also improve mood, reduce anxiety, and create opportunities for meaningful connections. However, for people with dementia, these activities must be carefully tailored to ensure they feel safe, comfortable, and supported.

This guide provides a range of exercise and activity ideas designed specifically for people with dementia. From gentle physical exercises to mentally stimulating activities, we’ll explore safe and effective ways to keep your loved one active and engaged, while enhancing their quality of life.

Why Physical Activity Matters for People with Dementia

Regular physical activity offers several significant benefits for people with dementia, positively impacting their physical, emotional, and cognitive health.

• Improved Physical Health: Exercise strengthens muscles, supports cardiovascular health, and can improve balance, reducing the risk of falls.
• Mental Wellbeing: Physical activity releases endorphins, which help reduce anxiety and depression, and improve sleep quality.
• Cognitive Stimulation: Activities that engage multiple senses, like dancing or guided walks, can stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive functioning.

Many caregivers find that physical activities also help ease certain symptoms of dementia, like restlessness or agitation, helping to create a calming routine that benefits everyone involved.

Safety Tips for Exercising with Dementia

When introducing exercise or activities to someone with dementia, prioritising safety and comfort is key. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

1. Prioritise Comfort: Ensure they wear comfortable, non-slip footwear and loose, breathable clothing.
2. Choose the Right Time of Day: Plan activities when your loved one is most alert and calm to help them engage more fully.
3. Avoid Overexertion: Activities should be gentle and low-impact. Watch for signs of fatigue and allow breaks as needed.
4. Adapt to Changing Abilities: Dementia progresses over time, so adjust activities as needed to match their current abilities and energy levels.

Creating a calm, positive atmosphere helps your loved one feel at ease, making activities more enjoyable.

Gentle Physical Exercises for People with Dementia

The following exercises are low-impact, easy to follow, and adaptable for different stages of dementia, making them suitable for keeping your loved one active without causing stress or confusion.

1. Chair Exercises

Chair exercises are ideal for those with limited mobility or for those in later stages of dementia. They are simple to perform and help maintain joint mobility, flexibility, and circulation.

• Leg Lifts: While seated, gently lift each leg one at a time, holding for a few seconds before lowering.
• Arm Raises: Lift each arm slowly above the head or out to the sides, repeating 5–10 times.
• Ankle Rolls: Roll each ankle in a circular motion to improve foot mobility.

These exercises can be done daily, providing a gentle workout without the need for much space or equipment.

2. Walking

A gentle walk, whether indoors or outdoors, is a great way to stay physically active. Walking offers physical benefits and a chance to connect with the environment, which can be both mentally stimulating and calming.

• Guided Walks: Take a walk around the garden, neighbourhood, or a local park. Always accompany them to provide assistance and ensure safety.
• Indoor Walking Paths: If outdoor walks aren’t feasible, create a clear walking path indoors, perhaps with photos or artwork on the walls to spark conversation and engage their interest.

Walking is low-impact, adaptable, and allows your loved one to move at their own pace, making it a suitable activity for almost any stage of dementia.

3. Dancing and Rhythm Exercises

Dancing combines physical movement with emotional engagement, making it especially beneficial. Many people with dementia respond well to music, even in advanced stages, as it taps into long-term memory.

• Simple Dance Moves: Encourage gentle swaying, clapping, or moving in time with the music. Choose songs they enjoy or have sentimental value.
• Music and Movement: Pair music with simple movements, like tapping feet or moving hands to the beat. This can be done seated or standing, depending on their ability.

Dancing can bring back positive memories, lift the mood, and provide a way for caregivers to connect emotionally with their loved ones.

4. Stretching Routines

Stretching promotes flexibility, relaxation, and helps to reduce muscle stiffness. It’s easy to incorporate and can be done either seated or standing.

• Neck Stretches: Slowly tilt the head from side to side to release tension.
• Arm and Shoulder Stretches: Stretch one arm across the chest and hold, then switch.
• Torso Twists: With arms relaxed, gently twist the torso to each side, improving spinal mobility.

Stretching is especially beneficial at the start or end of an activity, helping muscles warm up or cool down and promoting relaxation.

Cognitive and Creative Activities for People with Dementia

Engaging the mind is just as important as physical activity for people with dementia. The following activities are enjoyable and can help stimulate memory, enhance focus, and bring joy.

1. Arts and Crafts

Creative activities allow for self-expression and can be deeply satisfying. Simple arts and crafts provide sensory stimulation and encourage fine motor skills.

• Colouring and Painting: Use large, easy-to-hold brushes or markers. Choose colouring books with simple, bold patterns.
• Collage Making: Create collages with magazine clippings, photos, or natural items like leaves and flowers.
• Clay Modelling: Working with clay or playdough can be calming and engaging, involving both touch and creativity.

Keep activities mess-free and use non-toxic materials to ensure safety and enjoyment.

2. Puzzles and Sorting Games

Puzzles and sorting games are excellent for maintaining focus, concentration, and problem-solving skills, providing mental exercise in a non-stressful way.

• Jigsaw Puzzles: Choose puzzles with larger pieces and simpler images. Themes like landscapes or animals may be particularly meaningful.
• Sorting Tasks: Encourage them to sort coloured buttons, beads, or coins. Sorting helps with hand-eye coordination.
• Matching Games: Use cards or items with matching pairs to create a simple, engaging game.

Tailoring these activities to their preferences makes them more enjoyable and helps reinforce cognitive skills in a relaxed way.

3. Reminiscence Therapy

Reminiscence therapy uses prompts to stimulate long-term memory, which can bring comfort and joy to people with dementia.

• Photo Albums: Go through old family photos together, discussing the people, places, and events in the images.
• Memory Boxes: Create a memory box with meaningful items like souvenirs, postcards, or small personal items that evoke positive memories.
• Music from Their Youth: Playing familiar music from their younger years can stimulate memories and encourage social interaction.

These activities encourage connection and help individuals with dementia feel valued and understood.

4. Sensory Activities

Sensory stimulation can improve mood, focus, and relaxation. These activities engage multiple senses, which can be both calming and therapeutic.

• Hand Massage with Scented Lotions: Use a lightly scented lotion to give a gentle hand massage, providing comfort through scent and touch.
• Scent Therapy: Introduce familiar scents, such as lavender, vanilla, or lemon, which may evoke positive memories or simply create a relaxing environment.
• Textured Fabrics: Provide soft blankets, fuzzy fabrics, or textured items to hold or rub, engaging the sense of touch.

Sensory activities can be simple yet highly effective in grounding someone with dementia, helping them feel secure and calm.

Social and Emotional Activities for People with Dementia

Staying socially connected is essential for people with dementia, as it supports emotional well-being, reduces loneliness, and helps prevent feelings of isolation.

1. Pet Therapy

Interacting with pets can provide comfort and joy. If possible, arrange for supervised visits with a gentle dog, cat, or other small animals. Petting animals can reduce stress, increase positive emotions, and create a relaxing atmosphere.

2. Gardening or Indoor Plant Care

Gardening is a fulfilling and therapeutic activity that provides mild physical exercise and sensory engagement. Focus on simple tasks like watering plants or planting seeds in small pots.

• Indoor Gardening: If outdoor gardening isn’t possible, set up a small indoor garden with potted plants.
• Plant Care Routine: Help them establish a simple routine of watering plants or wiping leaves.

Gardening gives a sense of purpose, connects individuals to nature, and offers a positive sensory experience.

3. Storytelling and Reading Aloud

Reading aloud or storytelling can be comforting and shared, offering mental stimulation and a sense of calm.

• Short Stories or Poems: Choose short, easy-to-follow stories or poems, which provide comfort and grounding.
• Personal Storytelling: Encourage them to share memories or stories from their past. Recalling personal experiences can bring joy and boost self-esteem.

Storytelling strengthens emotional connections and provides an opportunity for mental engagement without any pressure.

FAQs: Exercise and Activity Ideas for People with Dementia

Q: What types of exercise are suitable for someone with dementia?
A: Gentle activities like walking, chair exercises, and stretching are ideal, as they support physical health without causing strain.

Q: How can I ensure safety during activities for a person with dementia?
A: Choose activities that match their abilities, avoid overexertion, and create a comfortable, supervised environment. Adjust activities as abilities change.

Q: How does music benefit people with dementia?
A: Music often taps into long-term memory, evoking positive emotions. Activities like dancing or rhythm exercises can be engaging and enjoyable.

Q: Are there activities that stimulate both the mind and body?
A: Yes, activities like gardening, dancing, and simple crafts engage both physical and mental faculties, providing well-rounded stimulation.

Q: How can I keep my loved one with dementia socially engaged?
A: Activities like storytelling, gardening, and pet therapy offer social interaction and emotional connection, helping to prevent loneliness.

If you’re interested in understanding more about dementia and its symptoms, take a look at our comprehensive guide on the early signs of dementia, which can help you recognise key indicators and better support your loved one.