Holiday Ornament Craft: Activities For Dementia Patients

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This festive time of the year can often be a stressful time as a family caring for a loved one with dementia.

As a primary caregiver, chances are that you’ve had some time to adjust to the changes in memory and personality, but it’s important to remember that this may be the first time other family members are spending any extended time with this loved one on hospice. Depending on how the disease has progressed since their last visit, they may be surprised to find someone who no longer remembers their name.

Prepare guests in advance for what to expect. They should practice patience and not argue or push this loved one with dementia to remember names or events. Activities for your loved one with dementia, like this holiday ornament craft, are a fun way to connect and engage the entire family.

Holiday Ornament Craft

What You'll Need:

• Felt in a variety of holiday colors
• Clear Glue
• Holiday felt stickers
• Fashion paint
• Ribbon

Steps:

1. Cut felt into round circles.
2. Cut 1” strips of felt to decorate the ornaments.
3. Glue the strips across the round circles.
4. Glue holiday stickers.
5. Add decoration or holiday greetings with fashion paint.
6. Glue the ribbon to the back of the circle for hanging.

Caregiver Tips: 

1. If your loved one is not able to safely handle scissors, pre-cut the felt before starting the activity.
2. While doing activities with a loved one with dementia, play their favorite holiday songs.
3. Get your loved one involved by starting the activity yourself and asking them to join in.
4. Activities for people with dementia have the best chance of success in the morning between breakfast and lunch when your loved one is well rested. If they don’t want to participate or get frustrated, don’t force it. Try again at another time.
5. Remember: With activities for dementia patients, the goal is for you to have fun doing it. Don’t worry about what the end result looks like.
6. If your loved one has dementia, a hospice program and hospice care team can provide support for both the patient and family. This added assistance can be key in avoiding caregiver burnout.

Get more ideas for activities for dementia patients.

If you have questions about how Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care supports patients with dementia and their families, please call us at 1-888-564-3405.

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