Mother's Day Activities for Seniors with Dementia in Naples, Florida

Written By: Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh

Mother's Day is right around the corner, but sometimes it can be difficult to figure out meaningful activities for seniors with dementia. With nearly two-thirds of American Alzheimer's patients being women, it's important to find inspiration for activities that celebrate the holiday in Naples without overwhelming the family.

Our Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh team treats Mother's Day with the passion it deserves. We put together this list to make your family celebration this year easier for everyone involved.

Keep reading for activity inspiration and a few simple tips for a wonderful Mother's Day holiday!

Outdoor Picnic

When it comes to dementia-friendly celebrations, it's always a great idea to take the festivities outside. A cozy picnic in Naples can make anything feel more special, and they're often easy to prepare for in advance.

The best part is that Mother's Day is right when spring is in full bloom, giving everyone a chance for plenty of time in the sunlight among flowers and greenery. You'll have lots of beautiful things to look at as you snack and chat together.

This kind of atmosphere presents the perfect opportunity to take photos and make new memories. You'll get to think about the present day, enjoy being together, and allow yourself to forget about stress for a day.

You'll give yourself and the senior in your life a relaxing break in a unique way.

Arts and Crafts

Giving the family a chance to create something new together is always a fun pastime. It's also beneficial for celebrating moms with dementia since you can have everyone create something that she'll like or something that can remind each family member of a favorite memory of her.

The arts and crafts don't have to be elaborate or expensive. A few simple supplies are all that's needed to create things such as:

Paper flower bouquet
Scrapbooking
Rock painting
Leaf animals
Popsicle stick artwork
Collage
Acrylic pour projects
Bead jewelry

This activity gives everyone ample opportunity to socialize as they dive into their creative side.

Look Through Photo Albums

Sometimes Alzheimer's family activities work better when you take a peek at the past. Try to locate as many photo albums as you can, such as a senior's childhood album, to a grandchild's binder of school accomplishments.

Many Alzheimer's seniors can recall older memories with such clarity. All they need is a little spark to jog the memory to the surface.

Showing seniors newer memories could help reinforce those memories in place, and it also gives family members a chance to share details. Looking through photo albums lets the family reminisce and can help younger members of the family learn more about family history.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box as you look for memory-laden items.

Photo albums are excellent tools, but so are other kinds of keepsakes. All of them can help bring warm memories to the family gathering.

Dance Session

Looking for an excuse to introduce more physical activity into your celebrations? Why not put on some peppy music and hit the dance floor as a family?

You can do this in the middle of your living room or rent a hall that's full of memories. Play lots of music that your mother enjoys, but don't forget to introduce her to some new hits as well.

Either way, a family dance session is an exciting way to celebrate. Plus, your mom might surprise you with her smooth moves!

Spa Day

Stress has no place in senior holiday events. That's why a spa day can be the answer to make certain that your mother enjoys herself like never before.

Treat her to a local Naples spa care package, or go together for a bonding experience.

If your mom doesn't appreciate the idea of a spa day surrounded by strangers, create a relaxing experience for her yourself. You can paint her fingernails, wash and style her hair, apply lotion to her hands, and more. It can mean more coming from you rather than going somewhere else to receive the same attention.

Puzzles and Games

No matter where you decide to celebrate Mother's Day, there's always time for puzzles and games. These give seniors a chance to work on skills like hand-eye coordination, memory recall and retention, and concentration, all while having a lot of fun.

Some dementia-friendly games and puzzles include:

Uno
Bridge
Jigsaw puzzles
3D puzzles
Ticket to Ride
Tetris
Charades
Connect 4
Jenga

These games are great for family members of all ages, so don't be afraid to try them out, no matter the age gap. Once you find a family favorite, you'll likely want to play it together all the time.

Tips for a Successful Mother's Day

Regardless of whether you use these memory care holiday ideas or not, there are universal tips to keep in mind to make sure Mother's Day doesn't run into any issues.

Put safety measures in place, such as chairs, for when someone might run out of energy.
Center your celebration during the time when everyone has the highest energy.
Remember to be flexible in case something doesn't go to plan.
If you play games together, prioritize fun and leave competitiveness behind for another time.
Tailor the celebration to your mother's interests and hobbies.

By following these simple tips, you're bound to love the holiday no matter which activities you choose to do, and your mother will too!

Find More Activities for Seniors With Dementia at Aston Gardens

Creating engaging activities for seniors with dementia doesn't need to be intimidating. If you're looking for more ways to keep the senior in your life feeling fulfilled and cared for, consider our senior community as the answer.

Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh is a Naples-based senior community led by an Executive Director with 20 years of leadership experience. We aim to make every resident feel at home within our community and provide a safe place for seniors to enjoy their retirement to the fullest. We offer many activities, outings, events, and amenities that support seniors without hindering their independence.

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