Play Time
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN &
ADULTS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Erianne Stewart works hard to change the perception that it’s not appropriate to bring children around people with dementia. “It’s beneficial to both,” she says. “It fosters a connection. I’m very passionate about this.”
Stewart, an activity specialist, gerontologist and recreational therapist, says, “It gives the person living with dementia a sense of purpose. Adults love to connect with children. Feeling they can connect with young people doesn’t have to change with a diagnosis.”
The children also benefit by experiencing a sense of connection with the person struggling with an illness. “They feel they can help take care of them and love them.”
“In my 10-plus years of working in various care settings, I have never seen someone come more alive or experience more joy and a sense of purpose than when a child walks into the room. It truly does help them feel true happiness again.”
CHILDREN ACTIVITIES FOR EACH STAGE
EARLY STAGES:
- “In this stage, the activities children can do with the person are almost limitless.” Some of Stewart’s favorites are planting flowers, watering plants, baking and cooking simple recipes.
- Music is her number one choice at all levels of memory loss. She suggests having the child pick a favorite song. “Music loosens the person and can unlock memories. Let the child encourage stories. Children usually enjoy hearing stories from an adult’s past.”
- “I love to incorporate sports if the person is able.” One of her favorites is cornhole, in which players try to throw a beanbag into a hole in an inclined
board. “It’s simple and can be done from a wheelchair or sitting in front of it.” A beanbag can also be used for “toss and catch.” “Sit on a couch together and toss it back and forth.” - A more sedentary activity Stewart favors is making a scrapbook together. “Look at family photos and have the child pick a favorite, then have the child ask the person for their favorite.”
MIDDLE STAGES:
- A dependable favorite for this stage is any type of sorting activity. Collect seashells from the beach or a dollar store and let the two of them sort them by size, color and texture. When Stewart took her daughter to a memory care unit and had her engage with a resident over sorting shells, “She literally sat there for hours.” Socks are another good sorting item, as are buttons by size or color.
- Fingerpainting and coloring work well at this stage. “Usually, kids love to color.”
- For a physical activity, try tossing a balloon, which can be done while sitting.
- Stewart discovered another effective activity when a preschool class came to a memory care center where she worked to provide their own show and tell. “They brought their favorite items and shared why they were meaningful. There was such a connection between those generations.”
LATE STAGES:
- “Lots of individuals living with dementia are not able to communicate. That’s tricky for children,” Stewart says. She suggested a gentle hand massage if the person is comfortable with being touched.
- The child can also pick out some comforting music, and they can hum together, or the child can bring a doll or stuffed dog or soft blanket to share. “The person with dementia can find comfort with these items, which they may be familiar with.”
BEFORE A VISIT
“It’s important to prepare a child,
especially if they’re not used to being
around someone with dementia,”
Stewart says. “It can scare them. You
don’t want them to feel nervous or shy.
Explain to them that the person’s brain is
changing a little bit, and they may ask the
same questions over and over. Remind
them that it’s our job to help that person
feel loved.”
Tell them the person might not
act like the adults they know. At any
stage, but especially in advanced stages
where a person with memory loss can
become verbally or physically abusive,
“stay close to the child so you can take
them out.”
Stewart took her 3-year-old daughter
to visit a memory care unit, and a man
spoke crossly to her. The little girl looked
up at Stewart as if she expected to be
in trouble.
“I hadn’t prepared her. I took her to
a different room and explained that he
didn’t understand he was being unkind.
You don’t want to turn off their thoughts
about all older adults. If you know
someone can be aggressive, be right there
with the child.”
in trouble.
When the visit is over, “debrief ” the
child by asking if they have any questions
and get them to talk about what the
experience was like for them.
“One last thing I want to share about
individuals living with dementia is that
in my 10-plus years of working in various
care settings, I have never seen someone
come more alive or experience more joy
and a sense of purpose than when a child
walks into the room. It truly does help
them feel true happiness again.”
Erianne Stewart lives in Upland,
CA. Find her on Instagram @activities_
for_dementia.
This article appeared in Alzheimer’s TODAY, Volume 20, Number 2