Finding appropriate activities for your senior loved one with dementia that take into consideration cognitive and functional abilities can be a challenge. There is no right or wrong when considering a variety of activities, but it is dependent upon the person's interest, ability, mood, and available resources. Engaging loved ones in meaningful activities is at the core of what we do here at Ideal Caregivers 4u. Our services reach a multitude of needs from personal care to co

Building blocks, like LEGO, have been associated with children's toys since their introduction in the early 1950s, but these fantastic bricks also have many benefits for adults who are young at heart! More recently, older adults have used Lego bricks as a form of stress relief, as a new hobby/pastime and even as collector items. Lego offers a variety of builds geared towards almost every age and ability, which makes them perfect for seniors and those with the challenges of A

A great way to add creativity to your elderly loved one's life is to use simple, household items that can surprise and delight them when used in a new and exciting way! A perfect example of this is by using a simple apple as a stamp to create these adorable painted "pumpkins". Materials An apple; cut down the center Orange paint Brown and Green pipe cleaners or paper Craft glue Googly eyes and/or other embellishments (such as sequins, buttons, stickers, etc) White craft pape

A great way to incorporate falling autumn leaves into your artistic and creative moments is by using them to create a beautiful fall scene. Include physical fitness and fresh air by collecting the leaves with your elderly loved ones, or those in your care, outdoors and have them ready for crafting when you return indoors....and don't forget a nice cup of hot chocolate to go with it! Materials 🍁 Craft or printer paper 🍁 Dry leaves collected ahead of time 🍁 Craft glue 🍁

Fall holidays are unique because of the crisp air, the colours of the leaves, and, most importantly, spending time with our loved ones. This weekend is Thanksgiving, a great time to get together with family members, young and old. Here are our tips for a memorable thanksgiving, whether visiting an elderly relative in a long-term care facility, having a big family gathering at home, or spending a quiet evening with a parent or grandparent. Organize your time together. Plan you

As Thanksgiving approaches this weekend, creating a beautiful centrepiece for the dinner table or decorating your home with touches of Autumn and harvest, is a great way to usher in the special occasion. What better way to do it than decorating pumpkins and other gourds!?! For our loved ones with limited fine motor skills, or those in assisted living residences, painting gourds is a wonderful activity that is easy, simple to do, and fun to create! Begin by... Choosing the ri

We are only a week into the Fall season, but here in Ontario, we have already noticed our leaves begin to change colours and start to fall. So, what better time to collect some dry leaves and create your own design in preparation for the season! Leaf Art Materials Dry leaves of various shapes, sizes and colours Craft Glue Craft paper or cardstock **Optional embellishments, such as small beads, googly eyes, feathers, cotton balls, etc. Instructions Collect a variety of dry le

A great way to get outdoors and to appreciate the beautiful colours of the upcoming fall season is by using nature's bounty, the fallen leaves, for arts and crafts projects! We found today's blog idea from a variety of sources online. The internet is filled with great ideas for crafting activities for people of all ages, but this one, in particular, is a great option for our senior loved ones and those in our care. Here's what you need: fall leaves, preferably dry ceramic ti

Ever wonder why leaves change colour in the Fall? Well, it's not the cooler temperature or the weather that causes them to change colour, in fact, it's their ability to make food that does! During the growing season, leaves act as food factories for trees. A chemical called chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy, is responsible for making this happen. It is also the reason why most leaves are green. For activities that you can do with your senior loved one that incorporat

As the weather starts to turn, so will the leaves on the beautiful trees begin to turn colour. Using the fallen colourful leaves, help your elderly loved ones collect, identify and sort each one! This is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the freshness of the Fall season - perfect for body, mind, and soul! Here's what you need: 4 paper bags Leaf colour labels or a marker to label each bag Basket to collect leaves Leaf identification chart (example image below) Table

Part of spending time with older loved ones is creating memories. Doing simple crafts and activities with seniors creates moments to share and objects to cherish for the future. One activity that brings nostalgia to our seniors is needlework. This may include sewing, knitting, crocheting or cross-stitching. Many of our seniors share their stories of a time sitting with loved ones and making special gifts or even clothing during their younger years. Some may still have tho

Combining the love of colouring and of reading, this activity provides our seniors with an opportunity to use their creativity and allows them to keep track of their favourite passages in a book. Here's what you will need: Pencil crayons or markers Scissors Printer paper or cardstock for the thicker/durable bookmark Ribbon or string **optional Bookmark template (see below) Instructions Download and print the Bookmark Template below Carefully cut out each bookmark with scissor

Expressing oneself creatively is a great way to keep your mind active, socialize with others and experience new opportunities. With this unique, yet easy, art activity, your loved one (and yourself!) can get creative and watch the movement of paint flow through the piece. Raised Salt Art What you need: Cardboard or card stock paper Table Salt Paintbrush, thin Liquid Watercolour paint White craft glue What to do: On a piece of cardstock paper (or cardboard cut into a basic sh

As Summer continues to shine and bring heat and the blooming colours of August flowers, there are many opportunities for seniors to be active, both outdoors and indoors. One particular craft activity to bring more nature indoors is by creating a Button Tree! There are many examples of them online for you to search for inspiration (as seen above), but it is as simple as it sounds! And the best part is, that buttons can easily be found around the house, are colourful, come in

Looking for a way to bring the outdoors in?! Why not paint your own flower pot and plant a variety of colourful flowers, herbs, or succulents to brighten your loved one's home?! We put together a fun and colourful activity to brighten their day and nurture creativity and green thumbs! Flower Pot Painting Painting clay flower pots is not only a fun way to let your loved one's creativity out, but it's also therapeutic. The best part is, that their beautiful creation also ser

Today's craft is one that many older adults really enjoy doing with their loved ones. It's easy, colourful, and can be kept indoors, but still enjoyed for its bird-like whimsy! Using simple materials, often found at dollar stores or around the house, this craft can be as creative as one wishes! Materials 3 Popsicle sticks 1 sheet of coloured paper (craft paper, bristol board, etc) 1 sheet of black craft paper Colourful craft feathers Glue Choice of markers, pencil crayons, p

Tomorrow we celebrate 155 years as a country! An exciting day for those of us that call Canada home. Whether you are celebrating with family at a picnic in the park or BBQ at home or staying in for a quiet evening thinking about this unique and beautiful nation of ours, there is plenty to be thankful for. If you or your loved one is celebrating Canada Day at home or you want some activities to do to pass the time while waiting for that delicious BBQ lunch or while sharing m

Participating in arts and crafts activities is a great way to spend time with your elderly loved one. These activities will bring out their creative side while also allowing them social time with others. Play their favourite music, provide colours and designs they enjoy and are familiar with and the outcome is a great shared memory and moment of your time spent together. This activity uses plain white ceramic tiles that can be bought at your local hardware store, dollar sto

Spending time working on puzzles, crosswords, and word searches is a great way to boost brain activity, increase, focus, and get some quiet alone time. According to some studies, people over the age of 50 who regularly challenge themselves with word or number puzzles had sharper brain function than someone ten years younger. Benefits Word searches, like the one we have created below, provide older adults with a number of benefits: Enhances problem-solving skills Boosts your m

Playing a variety of games, either board games or physical games like horseshoe/bean bag toss, is a great way to get senior men involved in activities whether at home or in a home-care community. We found a fun dice game that would interest men and women alike! It can be played with other residents, a caregiver, or on their own. We like to encourage socialization, so playing with a partner is encouraged, but consider the needs of your loved one before beginning play. Cover