In this guest blog, Holly Dodd from The Writers Diary shares thoughtful ideas for dementia-friendly activities to enjoy during the summer months.
When the sun is shining and the birds are chirping, it can help bring a big smile to your face. Surrounding yourself with nature has numerous positives, such as improving your mental and physical wellbeing, reducing stress and increasing vitamin D levels.
For people living with dementia, these benefits go even further. When circumstances allow, time in the fresh air can be hugely beneficial by stimulating their senses and reducing feelings of restlessness and isolation. And if stepping outside isn’t practical, the season can still come indoors.
Here are some dementia-friendly hobbies to enjoy this Summer.
Arts and Crafts
Have you ever done arts and crafts outside? Maybe you painted a landscape or coloured in some mandalas from a colouring book. For people with dementia, arts and crafts offer a non-verbal outlet for expression and provide an opportunity for relaxation.
- Creating a scrapbook with photos, postcards, or newspaper clippings that hold meaning.
- Colouring books with large, simple designs that are easier to see and fill in.
- Clay modelling, which offers a sensory experience through touch and creativity.
- Painting pots or a bird feeder.
- Pressing summer flowers – buttercups, clovers, and stitchworts work particularly well!
Gardening
Getting your hands muddy in the garden isn’t just fun. It’s very beneficial for both physical, and mental health, especially for people living with dementia. From digging and planting to composting and weeding, gardening offers a variety of tasks that help maintain motor skills. As well as stimulate their cognitive function by experiencing a range of colours and scents.
Know a particular rose Grandad always grew, or a herb Nan loved on her roast spuds? Plant it together, familiar smells often unlock conversations and past memories.
Gardening can easily be a hobby enjoyed alone; however, it can also be a great way to interact and discuss as a group. Community gardening is perfect for making people feel part of something. It’s friendly territory even for complete beginners, and you can set the pace, from low-impact pottering to a more energetic session (raised beds, kneelers and lightweight tools keep it comfortable).
Walking
Even the shortest walk outside can provide a change of scenery for someone with dementia. It’s a gentle form of exercise and helps people with dementia keep their minds and bodies in better shape.
Visual cues, such as trees, people, and cars, as well as sounds like traffic, rain, and animals, provide mental stimulation and something to think about. This is a lot more exciting than sitting inside all day and looking at the same four walls.
Walking with people also serves as a perfect distraction. Walking side-by-side also makes conversation feel natural and unpressured. With all the nature going around, such as fledglings and pollinators making an appearance, it’s a great conversation topic.
It’s worth keeping in mind that people with dementia may become more fatigued. So, planning a walk in a park that you know has benches is a good idea, as well as bringing along some finger food to keep their energy up.
Puzzle Games
When the weather’s warm, why not enjoy some puzzle games in the sunshine? Snakes and ladders, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and crosswords provide a sense of accomplishment, improve problem-solving skills and increase memory. Some puzzles can be done with friends and family to add a socialisation aspect, and others can be done alone.
There are also some dementia specific/friendly games to play. For example, Call-to-mind is a board game designed to get to know and understand the person with dementia. By discovering things like their likes and dislikes and getting the person to engage in conversation. Some other games, like checkers and image snap work well too.
Bring the Outdoors In
When you think of enjoying the summer, you’ll probably think of being out in direct sunlight. But depending on mobility limitations, it might not be possible to get out and go for a walk. That doesn’t mean you can’t get them involved in summer activities. Luckily, nature can come to you:
- Windowsill gardening: Herbs like chives grow well on a windowsill along with mint, basil, and cress.
- Bird window watching: You can place a feeder by the glass and see which birds visit. Suction cup bird feeders are perfect for this.
- Memory trays: Bring some seasonal plants inside such as lavender sprigs and roses to chat about and handle.
If the view isn’t great, consider moving a comfy chair nearer a window where sky or greenery is visible.
Dementia Supported Holidays
What better time than summer to get outdoors and soak up the beauty of nature. The longer days and warmer weather make it the perfect season to explore somewhere new.
Dementia Adventure offers specially designed supported UK holidays for people living with dementia and their families or carers.
At the heart of these getaways is:
"Supporting people with dementia to get outdoors and experience the benefits of nature."
Dementia Adventure believe that everyone deserves the chance to enjoy a holiday, in-spite of their diagnosis. With small group sizes, trained team members on hand, and thoughtfully chosen accommodation, these holidays are all about freedom, enjoyment, and connection.
Some of the holidays on offer are North York Moors, Isle of Wight, Lake District, and Norfolk Boards. The itineraries are unique, and the holidays can be tailored to their needs.
Some safety tips to bear in mind
- Go out during cooler times: Early morning or late afternoon (before 11am or after 3pm) is best.
- Choose shaded areas: Enjoy the fresh air without sitting in direct sun.
- Protect from the sun: Light, loose clothing, SPF 30+ sun cream, and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Encourage regular drinks: Bring along water or diluted squash.
- Plan rest spots: benches, folding stools or picnic blankets.
Conclusion
Whichever ideas you try, indoors or out, let the person set the pace. With a little planning, the long light of a British summer can brighten the day.
For those able to venture farther, a Dementia Adventure holiday can wrap those same moments into five days of shared discovery, safe in the knowledge that trained hands have the practicalities covered.
If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please don’t hesitate to get in contact: 01245 237548
or email: info@dementiaadventure.org.
Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy a holiday, no matter what their diagnosis. With small group sizes, trained team members on hand, and thoughtfully chosen accommodation, these holidays are all about freedom, enjoyment, and connection.
This guest blog was written by Holly Dodd from The Writers Diary. Contact Holly: Holly.dodd@thewritersdiary.co.
