Wood Holiday Packages: Activities for Dementia Patients

The holidays are a time of passing along memories and traditions from one generation to the next. For a family with a loved one with dementia, it is also a time of lost memories and adjusting traditions to fit a new reality. It can be a bittersweet time, but preparing ahead can help keep the holidays special for the whole family.

Instead of focusing on short-term memory loss, families can share old photos and videos from childhood holidays and ask their loved one about their favorite holiday traditions. They can play their loved one’s favorite holiday songs and burn scented candles that evoke the spirit of the season.

If a loved one with dementia enjoys specific holiday activities like cooking, decorating, or caroling, families should find a way to keep them involved even if they have to do smaller tasks instead of tackling it all themselves.

Families should keep meals small and eat early in the day to help simplify things, which will lead to a more successful holiday. It’s important to stay aware of a loved one with dementia’s energy levels. If they are becoming agitated or tired, they can bring them to a quiet room to rest or wrap up the festivities early.

One way for families to connect and engage with a loved one with dementia is through activities like the wood holiday package crafts below. These crafts are designed to be done by family members of any age so that everyone can join in the fun.

While the holidays are different with dementia, they can still be filled with love. Families should treasure the time they have with their loved one with dementia. This loved one may not remember it, but the family certainly will.

Wood Holiday Packages

What You’ll Need: 

• Square or rectangular wood pieces
• Green or red acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Holiday ribbon
• Tape or clear glue
• Holly or other festive trimmings

Steps:

1. Paint the wood pieces green or red.
2. Allow paint to dry.
3. Add holiday ribbon as you would to a real gift.
4. Use tape or clear glue to secure the ribbon.
5. Attach festive trimmings or a gift tag.
6. Display several boxes together as fun holiday decor.

See more activities for dementia patients.

Caregiver Tips

1. Encourage family members to read our tips for communicating with a loved one with dementia.
2. While doing activities with a loved one with dementia, engage them in conversation. Play music they enjoy softly in the background to create a positive mood.
3. Even though your loved one may not remember names or things that happened in recent days, they may still remember their childhood. Talk to them about parties they remember from growing up.
4. Activities for people with dementia have the best chance of success early in the day when your loved one is well rested. If they don’t want to participate or get frustrated, don’t force it. Try again another time.
5. Remember that the goal is to have an engaging activity with your loved one with dementia. Don’t worry about the end result.

Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to support patients with dementia and their families. Please call us at 1-888-564-3405 to learn more about how our unique care programs help provide a higher quality of life for dementia patients while helping caregivers avoid burnout.

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