Guidance and tips
Recommendations for caregivers of a person with dementia
How to keep people with dementia active
- Ari Manor
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- Adapt the activity to the environment — before you begin: Sharp noises, bright lights, or a TV in the background can increase confusion and agitation. Try soft lighting, a calm room, and fewer stimuli. A stable environment restores control — and then the activity is more successful. 🤎
- Choose small, familiar activities with quick success: Eating socially, mixing a salad, setting a table, folding towels, listening to a familiar song — these are the “little things” that create belonging and meaning. Sit next to the person, not above them, at a slow pace, without pressure. Less pressure — more connection. 💛
- Build a routine that calms the brain: A consistent daily structure reduces anxiety – the same time for a short walk, the same music in the evening, the same “ritual” before a meal. The routine doesn’t have to be rigid — but it does have to be consistent. The result: less confusion, fewer outbursts, more calm. 💚
- Give a choice to maintain respect: Even a small decision (“Do you want to go to the balcony or the hallway?” / “What song is playing now?”) restores a sense of control. Two simple choices — and that’s it. 💜
- Match expectations: Help your loved ones cope with changes in routine. For example, announce something like: "The kids are coming tomorrow, we'll sit down and eat together." A little mediation and a lot of empathy make a big difference! 💛
- Go outside — but be smart and safe: A short walk can change your whole day: less agitation, more smiles, improved sleep and mood. It's better to go to familiar places, coordinate in advance what to do if you get tired, and carry an ID card/bracelet. And most importantly: enjoy the journey, not the destination. ❤️
- Don't rush to fix — sometimes activity is “security”: If he asks over and over again, “Where are we?”, you don’t always need to correct him. Sometimes he’s not looking for an answer — he’s looking for reassurance. A nod, a smile, a short, reassuring sentence, and a gentle touch on the hand can be the best “activity” for that moment. 🧡
- Don't wake him up — sometimes rest is part of the plan: A short nap (20–30 minutes) can reduce confusion and irritability and improve mood. Just be sure to use a safe position, and gently wake up to maintain a good night’s sleep. 🖤
- Dialogue at a glance: Sometimes there are no words, there's just one look. A look that reminds him that he's safe, and reminds you that you're not alone. 💜
On EMDA's website you can find and download, free of charge, activity ideas and workbooks. For example:
And remember that you too deserve a moment to breathe: Ten minutes a day for yourself: coffee in silence, breathing, something small that recharges. It's not a luxury — it's oxygen for the soul. When the caregiver is calmer, the whole house calms down. 💚💜💙
Additional selected tips for therapists, which we posted this month: Preparing for a medical appointment | Sharing with others
We are also continuing a series of monthly webinars , on Zoom and at no cost, on a variety of topics relevant to families with dementia and Alzheimer's. Below are links to webinars that have already been broadcast, recorded, and uploaded to the EMDA Association's YouTube channel:
- January Webinar: "Hospitalization as a point of crisis and change"
- February Webinar"Bina to serve families with dementia"
- Will be delivered today at 18:00 PM, register HERE
We will announce the March webinar in a few days, and you can register for it starting in about a week here . At the end of each webinar there is a question and answer section, which is not recorded. Therefore, it is recommended that you participate in the webinar. This will also allow you to take a break once a month from your daily worries, and learn a topic that will help you. 🧡