---
title: 20 Holiday Activities for Loved Ones with Dementia
description: Plan quality time with a loved one suffering from memory loss with one of these 20 activities
---

[Blog | Highgate Senior Living at Flagstaff](https://blog.highgateseniorliving.com/flagstaff)

# [20 Holiday Activities for Loved Ones with Dementia](https://blog.highgateseniorliving.com/flagstaff/20-holiday-activities-for-loved-ones-with-dementia)

 Written by [Highgate Senior Living](https://blog.highgateseniorliving.com/flagstaff/author/highgate-senior-living) | Dec 22, 2022 9:50:03 PM

The holidays provide time to [reflect and reminisce](https://teepasnow.com/blog/tips-for-making-the-holidays-special-for-people-living-with-dementia/) with loved ones, especially with those who have dementia. Revisiting family traditions or engaging in a meaningful activity is a great way to spend quality time together.

Although it might be hard not to focus on the effects dementia has had on a loved one, [experts recommend](https://teepasnow.com/) focusing on opportunities to engage in meaningful activities together. Consider each new day an opportunity to make memories together and use the holiday season to reconnect with your loved one. 

## Before You Begin

Making the most of your time together as a family this holiday season starts by [planning meaningful activities](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20047715#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20having%20guests,Keep%20outings%20brief.) with your loved one who has dementia. Be intentional about the activities you select and consider how you might need to modify the activity to set you *and* your loved one up for success.

According to The [Alzheimer’s Association](https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/activities), participating in activities can help a person with dementia by:

- improving quality of life
- reducing behaviors such as agitation or wandering
- providing a sense of accomplishment, purpose, usefulness, or engagement
- enhancing a sense of dignity and self-esteem
- providing a sense of normality

Even for those with middle or late stage Alzheimer’s or dementia, spending time with a family member or friend can be meaningful even though the activity may not look exactly the same as it did before.

We recommend using Teepa Snow’s [Living Gems](https://teepasnow1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/12/GEMS-Poster-8.5x11_Horizontal.pdf)TM model to identify your loved one’s abilities and then pick or tailor activities to create a meaningful opportunity to spend quality time together.

## Before You Begin

Think about interests and hobbies your loved one has enjoyed in the past and activities they might enjoy.

Still not sure where to start? Here’s a list of 15 ideas to get you started:

1. Make a playlist of your loved one’s favorite holiday music to listen to with them
2. Look through photo albums and let your loved one select pictures to create a scrapbook page or shadow box with 
3. Let your loved one select from a variety of holiday cards and write them out for friends and family together
4. Create a keepsake ornament together
5. Spend some time in the kitchen baking some holiday goodies
6. Collect a variety of different fabrics with different textures, different scents, and other items your loved one might enjoy sorting through to create a sensory box
7. Play a card game together
8. Watch a favorite holiday movie together
9. Create a collage with pictures your loved one picks out in old magazines
10. Put a puzzle together
11. Visit the local humane society and play with a furry friend
12. Plant an indoor garden
13. Feed the birds together
14. Have a tea party
15. Pick a painting activity 
16. Give your loved one a manicure, complete with scented hand lotion
17. Sing holiday songs together or play them on the piano
18. Reminisce about your favorite holiday memories
19. Try a [new recipe](https://blog.highgateseniorliving.com/5-highgate-holiday-recipes-your-family-will-love) together
20. Read a favorite book together

 Spending time together around the holidays, even when a loved one has dementia, can be some of the fondest memories you’ll make. With a little planning and flexibility, you're sure to make some memorable moments together. 

[View full post](https://blog.highgateseniorliving.com/flagstaff/20-holiday-activities-for-loved-ones-with-dementia)

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