Engaging elderly individuals with dementia in intergenerational activities can offer numerous benefits, including:
- Enhanced Cognitive Stimulation:
- Interacting with younger generations can provide a rich source of cognitive stimulation. These activities often involve conversations, storytelling, and games, which can help maintain cognitive functions and slow the progression of dementia symptoms. The novelty and variety in these interactions can be more stimulating compared to routine engagements.
- Improved Emotional Well-being:
- Intergenerational activities can significantly improve the emotional well-being of elderly individuals with dementia. The presence of children or younger individuals often brings joy, laughter, and a sense of purpose. These positive emotions can reduce feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety, leading to a more positive outlook on life.
- Enhanced Sense of Purpose and Self-worth:
- Participating in activities with younger generations can give elderly individuals a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth. They may feel valued and appreciated as they share their knowledge, skills, and experiences. This sense of contributing positively to the lives of others can boost their self-esteem and overall satisfaction with life.
These benefits highlight the importance of fostering intergenerational connections in dementia care programs.
Here are 10 intergenerational activities that could be recommended for a person with dementia to enjoy with their grandkids:
1. Gardening Together
Gardening can be a soothing and rewarding activity.
Simple tasks like planting flowers, watering plants, or harvesting vegetables can be enjoyed together, providing sensory stimulation and a sense of accomplishment.
2. Baking or Cooking
Baking cookies or preparing simple meals can be a fun, tactile activity.
Measuring ingredients, stirring batter, and decorating cookies are tasks that can be easily shared, fostering creativity and teamwork.
3. Arts and Crafts
Engaging in arts and crafts such as painting, drawing, or making simple crafts like holiday decorations can be a wonderful way to express creativity and spend quality time together.
4. Storytelling and Reading
Reading favorite books or sharing stories can create a strong emotional connection.
Grandchildren can read to their grandparents, or they can create their own stories together, perhaps even illustrating them.
5. Puzzles and Games
Simple puzzles, board games, or card games can be a great way to stimulate the mind and have fun.
Games like “Go Fish,” “Snakes and Ladders,” or simple jigsaw puzzles can be enjoyable for all ages.
6. Listening to Music
Playing favorite songs from the past or singing together can evoke positive memories and emotions.
Dancing or simply listening to music can be an uplifting activity for both the person with dementia and their grandkids.
7. Walking and Exploring Nature
Taking a walk in the park, visiting a botanical garden, or exploring a nature trail can be a relaxing activity that promotes physical exercise and provides an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors together.
8. Photo Albums and Scrapbooking
Looking through old photo albums and creating a scrapbook together can be a wonderful way to reminisce and share family history.
Grandchildren can help with arranging photos and adding captions or decorations.
9. Gardening Indoors
If outdoor gardening isn’t feasible, indoor gardening activities like potting small plants or creating a windowsill herb garden can be equally engaging and rewarding.
10. Watching Movies or TV Shows
Watching family-friendly movies or favorite old TV shows can be a comforting and enjoyable way to spend time together. Discussing the shows or movies afterward can also spark conversations and shared laughter.
These activities not only provide cognitive stimulation and physical activity but also strengthen the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, fostering a sense of connection and joy.
For ideas on other activities, check out Creating and Presenting Activities Adapted for the Cognitively Impaired.
Sources:
See published research >>> An intergenerational program for persons with dementia using Montessori methods – PubMed (nih.gov) Camp CJ, Judge KS, Bye CA, Fox KM, Bowden J, Bell M, Valencic K, Mattern JM. An intergenerational program for persons with dementia using Montessori methods. Gerontologist. 1997 Oct;37(5):688-92. doi: 10.1093/geront/37.5.688. PMID: 9343920.
