Activities for You & Your Loved One

Activity Ideas

• Remember, it’s not about being productive. It’s about being engaged in the moment.
• It is not about the expectations of the caregiver, rather the comfort of the person for whom the caregiver is providing care.
• Assess each activity for the many steps it takes to complete it. Each step is a specific task that the person can possibly do.
• Reduce all sources of frustration.
• Plan the activity and have any equipment needed to accomplish it nearby.
• Provide dignified support as needed. Guide a hand, describe what needs to be done next as you are moving through the task steps.
• If stress develops, stop the activity and take immediate action to reduce the stress

Creativity Ideas:

Create with clay

Paint or draw a picture (but be sure to never start with a blank sheet of paper)

Listen to music

Tell stories

Arrange flowers

Sort colorful objects

Take photos

Put a puzzle together

Read the newspaper or a good book out loud together

Record their stories or memories for family members

Start a family tree or a family video for all your family members to enjoy

Watch an old movie together

Reminisce with old photo albums

Outdoor Ideas:

Feed the birds

Sweep the patio

Wipe off patio furniture

Water plants

Rake leaves

Weed the flower bed

Plant seeds in containers

Plant something

Sand wood pieces

Wash the driveway

Take a walk

Go for a drive

Cut flowers for indoors

Daily Living Ideas:

Set the table

Fold clothes, towels, etc.

Wash silverware

Feed the pets

Dust

Run the sweeper

Sort Mail, or other papers

Peel vegetables

Sort nuts, bolts, nails, etc.

Sweep the floor

Shine the faucets

Make a simple dessert

Select an outfit to wear

Roll yarn into a ball

Plan a meal