The Top 6 Things To Do With People Who Have Dementia

Dementia can cause people to withdraw from activities and shy away from any company, however, there are quite a few things you can do to engage sufferers and bring some happiness and pleasure to their day.

These activities are designed to stir memories, foster and enhance emotional connections with friends and family and lessen the anxiety/irritability that Alzheimer’s can bring. It’s important to create meaningful activities and not just ones that fill time.

These include:

Singing songs or playing music
Taking part in arts and crafts such as painting – it’s a good idea to keep tools and patterns simple
Cooking or baking simple recipes together
Working on puzzles
Watching family videos

Keeping an active social life is key to helping someone with Dementia so we thought we would pull a list together of our top 6 things to do that you might find of interest:

What: Airdrie Memory Café
Where: One Wellwynd, 35 Wellwynd, Airdrie ML6 0BN
When: The first Monday of the month between 1pm and 3pm
Info: This is a free café where you can meet people and access information and support. This is a group for people who are able to attend safely on their own or who are accompanied by someone to support them.
Contact: Lorna Hart, Dementia Advisor – 01698 539 790

What: Clydebank Musical Memories Group
Where: West Dunbartonshire Dementia Resource Centre, 6-8 Miller, Clydebank G81 1UQ
When: The first Tuesday of the month between 6pm and 8pm
Info: Everyone is invited to sing-a-long to their favourite songs, old and new and there is lots of opportunity for a good blether as well!
Contact: Fiona Kane, Dementia Advisor – 0141 410 5303/07787 445 163

What: Fife Creative Crafts
Where: Fife Dementia Resource Centre, 12 Whytescauseway, Kirkcaldy KY1 1XF
When: Every Thursday in the Resource Centre from 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Info: If you’re interested in arts and crafts, come along and take part in a variety of supported activities with other people who share similar interests. The group enables individuals to share their skills with others, enhance existing skills and develop new skills.
Contact: Julie Penn, Service Manager – 01592 204 541

What: Scottish Opera’s Memory Spinners
Where: Scottish Opera Production Studios, 40 Edington St, Glasgow G4 9RD
When: Terms of weekly classes – due to start back in April 2018
Info: The Memory Spinners group meets weekly in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Using music, storytelling, movement and the visual arts, the programme helps people with dementia and their carers relax, get creative and form new support networks. Throughout each term, they share memories that are then incorporated into a relaxed performance for friends and family.
Contact: Audrey Blake, Project Manager – 0141 332 9559

What: Macrobert Arts Centre – Dementia Friendly Days
Where: Macroberts Arts Centre, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA
When: Tue 27 Mar (Aonach Mòr) & Tue 24 Apr (Kennedy Cupcakes)
Info: On the last Tuesday of every month, Macrobert Arts Centre hosts a relaxing afternoon event.
Find out more about Aonach Mòr
Find out more about Kennedy Cupcakes
Contact: To book, call 01786 466 666 or find out more by calling the Creative Learning Team – 01786 466 627

What: Football Memories Groups Bearsden
Where: 49 Milngavie Rd, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 2DW
When: The first and third Monday of each month – pies and Bovril are provided at halftime!
Info: Football Memories is a unique partnership between Alzheimer Scotland and the Scottish Football Museum Trust that uses memories of football to improve the lives of people with dementia. The group meets in a relaxed and informal atmosphere and spends time discussing teams, players and games from the past and using photographs and memorabilia to stimulate memories and communication.
Contact: Alexandra Lang – 0141 946 0966

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