Summertime Activities 2024
The summer is in full swing now, and it’s a great time to enjoy the sun and some outdoor (and indoor) activities with the people you love. People living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia can also be part of the fun. Choose activities that fit the abilities of the person, which change as the disease progresses, and take their interests into consideration. Try different things; you might be surprised at what your person with dementia now enjoys. It might even be something that they never would have considered before. Here are a few ideas:
In the Yard
- Plant seeds in pots or egg cartons filled with dirt
- Weed the flower bed or tend the plants
- Water the plants and planters around the home
- Arrange flowers in a vase or container
- Fill a plastic pool with cool water and dip feet in
- Make favorite foods and have a picnic
- Play games that include rolling or tossing a ball
- Take a walk around the neighborhood
- Play croquet in the grass
- Blow bubbles (there are inexpensive bubble machines, too)
- Play easy card games on the patio
- Listen to music from the past
- Sing old songs together
Places to Go
- Visit a botanical garden or park
- Spend time at the beach (bring an umbrella and sunscreen)
- Have fun at a local craft show
- Enjoy an outdoor concert (many are free)
- Visit an ice cream parlor and have an ice cream cone or cup
- Go to a dog park and watch the dogs
Things to Talk About
- Ask about their favorite childhood books or cartoon characters
- Ask about their siblings or cousins
- Look at family photographs and talk about them
- Reminisce about favorite sports or other activities
- Interview the person about their life and get a video of them telling stories
- Reminisce about a favorite summer or summer activity
- Ask about their favorite sport and what athlete or famous person/celebrity they followed
Arts & Crafts
- Color pictures in coloring books or create pictures of your own
- String beads
- Take photos of the person and create a collage
- Cut pictures out of greeting cards or magazine
- Make a family tree poster
- Model with playdough
- Ask the person to show you how to knit, crochet, or sew, or another favorite hobby
- Make a picture frame out of popsicle sticks and decorate
- Roll yarn into a ball
Whenever you are doing activities with a loved one with dementia, remember to be patient. Modeling what you hope the person will do so that they can see you doing it can help. You should also remain aware of when they get tired. Feel free to repeat the activities that were the most successful and drop the ones that don’t work well. Enjoy yourself and they will too!
Alzheimer’s Los Angeles has a wide range of online activities for people living with dementia. Please check our calendar.