January 3, 2025
One of the best ways to engage with a senior parent that has Alzheimer’s is to do crafts and play games with them. Doing a craft will help you connect with your mom or dad in real time in a way that makes sense to them. And, depending on the craft, it might even help them retain some of their cognitive skills.
Doing crafts is a wonderful way to help your senior parent strengthen skills like understanding spatial relationships and processing directions. And it can be a lot of fun. You and your senior parent can do crafts together, or if your mom or dad has Alzheimer’s care their care provider can do crafts with them.
Alzheimer’s care is a special type of care designed for seniors who have Alzheimer’s. All of the care professionals who work in Alzheimer’s care have experience and training helping seniors with Alzheimer’s do everything from eating and getting dressed to crafts and games that can help their physical and mental health.
According to specialists the best crafts for seniors with Alzheimer’s to work on that are also loads of fun are:
Painting and coloring are simple, calming activities. Your mom or dad can use brushes, sponges, or even their fingers to create art. These crafts allow them to express emotions they might not be able to say in words, and give you a better understanding of how your mom or dad sees the world.
Painting and coloring improve focus and hand-eye coordination. They also stimulate creativity, which can help reduce feelings of frustration. Coloring books with large, simple patterns work best.
Creating a collage involves cutting, tearing, and gluing pictures onto paper or cardboard. Your mom or dad can use old magazines they’ve collected, photographs, or colorful paper. This activity is excellent for memory stimulation.
Looking at images can spark conversations about past experiences. It also strengthens fine motor skills and gives them a sense of accomplishment. Simple themes, like favorite animals or seasons, make this craft easier to enjoy.
Stringing beads is a relaxing and rewarding craft that many seniors find very soothing. Your mom or dad can create necklaces, bracelets, or even decorations like garlands for a Christmas tree.
Beading strengthens fine motor skills and improves hand coordination. It also encourages focus and problem-solving as they choose bead colors and patterns. Large beads with big holes are easier to handle for seniors, so look for beads that are large enough for your mom or dad to easily grasp.
Making greeting cards is a meaningful and creative activity. Your mom or dad can use stickers, stamps, or colorful paper to design cards for loved ones. This craft helps boost self-esteem by allowing them to share their creations with others. It strengthens cognitive skills like planning and organizing. It’s also a great way to keep hands active while fostering emotional connection through giving.
Arranging flowers is both calming and visually stimulating. Seniors can use real or artificial flowers to create beautiful displays. This activity improves focus and helps with decision-making. It also encourages sensory engagement through touch and smell. Flower arranging is simple, with no right or wrong way to do it, which makes it perfect for seniors at any stage of Alzheimer’s.
