How everyday activities can help people living with dementia thrive

Chopping vegetables for dinner. Hanging out washing. Sweeping the floor.
As much as these things may be boring chores for most of us, for people living with dementia, they may be a soothing and familiar way to feel useful around the home.

Not everyone living with dementia will be able to take part in these activities in the way they once did. But by determining how they can contribute, even if it is just watching and commenting while someone else does the job, they will benefit.

The Dementia Centre's research has found that participating in simple tasks around the house can:

• maximise independence
• enhance self-esteem and confidence
• and reinforce personal identity.

By boosting their sense of themselves as useful and involved, making space for people living with dementia to take part in everyday activities can reduce anxiety, frustration, stress and depression, and reduce the challenging behaviour these feelings can sometimes produce.

Engage them where they are

It is important to understand there are different levels of engagement in an activity or task, and that they are all valid.

If a person can no longer do the entire activity as they once could, ask: are there parts that the person could still engage in? Is there a way the activity can be adapted and still enjoyed?

It's important to promote a sense of achievement and avoid failure in an activity if possible.

Let's take baking biscuits as an example. At different stages, a person living with dementia might be able to:

1. Initiate, plan and complete all aspects – decide on what kind of biscuits, plan, buy the ingredients, follow the recipe, successfully prepare and cook the biscuits.
2. Do it all if someone sets it up – make the biscuits once the ingredients are set out and the recipe is explained by another person.
3. Do some part of it – measure, mix or shape the biscuits.
4. Do it if someone shows them – repeat each step with prompts and help.
5. Watch and monitor – say if the biscuits look right, or listen for the oven clock to ring.
6. Talk about it – talk about their own experiences of making biscuits.
7. Critique – taste biscuits and give feedback.
8. Observe and listen – be with you while you make the biscuits.

- Adapted from Bell, V., & Troxell, D. (2001 ). The best friends staff: Building a culture of care in Alzheimer's programs. Baltimore, USA: Health Professionals Press.

Remember that while things may have changed for the person living with dementia, and subsequently for their family and friends, there are still many ways they can be involved in daily life, and this can strengthen their connections, increase their confidence and improve their mood.

By giving people living with dementia opportunities to participate in ordinary activities, we can make every day a better day. That can be life-changing.

Caring for someone living with dementia? To discover more practical ideas and support, head to Dementia Support Australia.