Activities & Entertainment
The 27 sources listed below are each rated on how they can help caregivers better understand and manage the daily activities & entertainment of people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
Sources are ranked from highest to lowest.
Sources are ranked from highest to lowest.
ALZSmart Score™ - Extraordinary90%
A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia
Laura N. Gitlin, PhD and Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L
Pages 8-17
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Explains why activities are important and what the benefits are. Provides detailed step-by-step approach on how to use activities. Has 17 bullet points on help identifying an activity. 20 tips on setting up the environment. 10 suggestions on introducing the activity. 8 points on enhancing or assisting engagements. Explains the types of cues or prompts. Has 8 activities to consider with 20 associated tips. Has 12 general tips for using activities.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
Caregiver Homes
Angela Stringfellow
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Lists 50 experts' suggestions for activities for people with Alzheimer's. Categories include: general guidelines, exercise & physical activities, engaging cognitive activities, sensory activities, and everyday activities.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
Caregiver Homes
Angela Stringfellow
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 50 experts' tips and suggestions for daily activities for people with dementia. Categories include: games, exercise & outdoor activities, music & art, and day-to-day routines.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%
Better Help
Danni Peck
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses 6 benefits of activities for people with dementia. Has 13 suggestions for physical activities. 10 thinking activities. 17 activities using practical skills. 7 remembering activities. 6 suggestions for outdoor activities. 9 expessive activities. 6 games. Plus 9 tips on how to do activities.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%
Daily Caring
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Explains 4 reasons why dementia activities are so important. Provides 5 ways to adapt activities to the person with dementia.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%
Learning to Speak Alzheimer's
Joanne Koenig Coste
Pages 127-145
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Uses examples to show the need for activities. Has a listing of 15 enriching exercises. Show how to add activities into a daily routine. At the end of the chapter, there is a bullet point list of 75 activities you can try.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%
Alzheimer's Association
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 10 tips on choosing activities. Has 13 tips on how to modify your approach to the activity, if the person's attention span wanes or frustration level increases.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%
Daily Caring
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Explains how sensory therapy are an effective way to reduce anxiety. Has 6 types of activities to help seniors with Alzheimer’s. Lists 30+ actitivies to keep hands busy.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Dementia Care Central (National Institute on Aging)
Geo Location: All (US)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins by describing the benefits of music, music through the stages of dementia, and musics effect on the caregiver's mood. Explains the science behind music therapy. Discusses making a playlist and equipment options for people with dementia.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
VeryWell Health
Esther Heerema, MSW
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
The premise of this article is that the activity should be meaningful for the person. Describes 12 different types of people and corresponding activities to consider.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Crisis Prevention Institute
Erin Harris
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides a detailed sample of an arts & crafts activity for individuals with middle stage dementia. Also shows a garden activity. There's an embedded video [4:18] near the bottom that explains the implementation of an activities project at a memory care facilitiy.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
The 36-Hour Day (6th Edition)
Nancy L. Mace, MA and Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH
Pages 86-90
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with a realistic look at the need for enjoyment in one's life, even if they have dementia. Explores balancing the effects of the disease with the activities that each specific person may find meaningful.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Surviving Alzheimer's (2nd Edition)
Paula Spencer Scott
Pages 35-38
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with the background of David Troxel. Explains key points to using activities as Alzheimer's therapy. Lists 7 categories of activities.Begins with the background of David Troxel. Explains key points to using activities as Alzheimer's therapy. Lists 7 categories of activities.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
The Dementia Caregiver
Marc E. Agronin, MD
Pages 115-118
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Describes 4 steps you can take to develop a strategy surrounding activities. Suggests activities specific to home, the yard & neighborhood, and in the community.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
The Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Handbook
Sally Willard Burbank, MD and Sue Pace Bell
Pages 133-146
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Has a listing of 30+ activities for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Alzheimer’s Research Association
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses 7 activities to do with an Alzheimer’s patient.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Alzheimer Society Canada
Geo Location: All (CA)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Shows how exercise can be a suitable activity. Has 6 tips about how reminiscing about the past can be an enjoyable activity.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Alzheimer Society Canada
Geo Location: All (CA)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 5 tips on how to continue to enjoy activities they have enjoyed before diagnosis. Lists 7 ideas for early stages.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Alzheimer Society Canada
Geo Location: All (CA)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses 6 tips for finding activities for late stage Alzheimer's. Has 5 things you can try to stimulate the senses.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Pathways Home Health and Hospice
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 15 activities family, friends, and caregivers can do to stimulate memory, focus attention, and provide social interaction for people with advanced dementia.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Ahead of Dementia
Luciana Mitzkun
Pages 125-131
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Describes the benefits of music in 9 bullet points. Offers 4 ways music can promote care. There are also 4 tips related to music.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Crisis Prevention Institute
Erin Harris
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Has 4 activities to help you engage the abilities and the senses of a person with dementia.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Alzheimer's Society
Geo Location: All (UK)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This is part 1 of a 4 part series: 1) Keeping active and involved, 2) Practical tips for keeping active, 3) Activity ideas for people with dementia, and 4) UK resources
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%
Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Explains how therapeutic activities can help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Lists 5 activities that can reduce certain problem behaviors. Uses the example of a therapy garden to discuss benefits.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%
Today's Caregiver
Jennifer Buckley
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Has a short summary of 3 activities. Lists 13 activities that can provide sensory stimulation.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%
Thoughtful Dementia Care: Understanding the Dementia Experience
Jennifer Ghent-Fuller
Pages 155-158
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Describes how activities may vary by person, by the stages of the disease, and the situation through the use of a few examples.
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%
Alzheimer's Association
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Focus is on music and art. Has 5 tips on music. Also has 5 tips on art projects.
