Enjoyable activities are often incorporated as part oftreatment and care for individuals with dementia.If you’re on the search for fun and stimulating activities for those with Lewy Body Dementia, the ideas we share here may be a valuable addition to their routine. Many of the activities we have outlined below can be enjoyed well into (and beyond) the middle stages of LBD.
Exercise
For those in the early to mid-stages of LBD, exercise can be an excellent way to engage both mind and body. Although motor skills may be impaired as the disease progresses, walking or other gentle exercises are generally recommended for individuals in the early stages. A few minutes of walking will help keep the muscles toned, and may also aid in healthy sleep habits. While a short daily walk is a great foundation for an exercise routine, some patients prefer other forms of activity. Recommended tasks include gardening, guided gym work, and dance classes.
Pet Therapy
Pet therapy continues to gain popularity as an activity for individuals with dementia. If your loved one has always been an animal lover, pet therapy could be the perfect mood-boosting method. Studies have shown that individuals with dementia show decreased challenging behaviors when they spend time with an animal, and as a result, more assisted living facilities are offering pet-friendly rooms. Some research has indicated that pet therapy leads to improved socialization, so caregivers may want to explore this possibility for patients.
Art Therapy
Art is a powerful tool for self-expression and can promote feelings of well-being. Art therapy is often a valuable addition to the care routine for Lewy Body Dementia, and can be achieved in numerous ways. Encouraging creativity can be done in the home with the help or participation of a caregiver, and there are also art programs specifically designed for individuals with dementia. Programs such as Meet Me at MoMA and Here: Now at Frye Museum are excellent examples of art appreciation programs to explore.
Music Therapy
Lewy Body Dementia often affects memory, muscle control, and behavior. While many types of dementia impact a person’s cognitive abilities, listening to or playing music typically remains an enjoyable activity for those with LBD. Learning new skills may be difficult for individuals with this disease, but patients who were past musicians can benefit from continuing this familiar pastime. For non-musicians, simply listening to beloved tunes can improve mood and decrease levels of depression or anxiety.
Lewy Body Dementia affects approximately 1.4 million Americans each year, and this unique form of dementia requires a high level of support from caregivers and physicians. If you or someone you know is experiencing any stage of LBD, it’s important to plan activities to provide stimulation and encourage emotional well-being. For more information on LBD, please visit us online at lewybodyresourcecenter.org. Our helpline is available 12 hours a day, 7 days per week, so please give us a call at 516-218-2026.
I am a private care CNA/QMAP. My current client has late/mid stage Lewy Body. I’m struggling to keep him interested & engaged. He is no longer able to walk unassisted, is sleeping more, depressed. I would like some ideas for activity for him. He is not interested in music or art. He has difficulty tracking with simple warm up movements. Thank you in advance.
Dear Lisa – Thank you for being such a wonderful, caring CNA. Do you know what his interests were when he was well? Anything that interested him earlier on will still be of interest to him now, even if he can longer participate in doing them. Is music of his era not soothing to him at all? Also, is he on an antidepressant?
I found with my mom find out enjoyable if I cut out scenery items from magazines and calendars and we paste/tape them into another scene to create a new picture. She has trouble deciding where to paste things but if I make a suggestion and she likes it she gets excited
Thank you, Michelle. That sounds helpful.
My ex has Lewy body dementia with Parkinson’s. He use to be an avid reader but can no longer retain information and gets frustrated. We go for short walks and I’m trying to stimulate his brain by teaching a card game. It’s very difficult as he can’t remember the numbering sequence. ie that two follows 1 and so forth. The card game is called Skipo. He doesn’t like art or listening to music. Is there anything that you can suggest me doing with him in the form of games. I thought of scrabble but he can’t even remember how to spell our kids names. Thanking you in advance for any suggestions you may have. He is 75 years old .
Hi Liesje,
It is very difficult for the “average” person with LBD to play games, although a few can. Easier games such as large puzzles, lotto, things with large pictures or photos generally works best. We know how frustrating it is for the caregiver as well as for the person living with LBD. It is best to think of things that he was interested in all of his life and try to incorporate even a small aspect of them into his life now. There may be some type of music that will resonate with him and that you just haven’t found as yet. Music can be extremely helpful. Keep trying and know that you–and he–are both doing your very best.