Routine Activities

Activity adds purpose and meaning to each day. For people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, it can also help contribute feelings of control. Activity can be both stimulating for the person with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and provide a diversion for the caregiver.

Choosing the Right Activity

An activity can be anything that engages a person. It can be active or passive, recreational or practical. Ideally, activity should be suited to the person's ability without being stressful.

Choosing the right activity starts with figuring out what the person with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease enjoys. It may be a hobby, a form of entertainment, a sport, or other activity. Here are some ways to help the person with Alzheimer's disease identify meaningful activities:

		Talk with the person about what activities he or she has enjoyed in the past. Then think about ways that those activities can be adapted to the present.
		Observe the person as he or she engages in activities. What does he or she seem to enjoy most and how can we make them part of our daily routine?
		Take advantage of community resources. A local adult day center may offer activities that the person with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease will enjoy.

Consider activities in each of the following areas:

Music — Everyone loves music. You can sing to it, dance to it, or use it to play a game like "Name that Tune." Listening to specific songs can even help trigger fond memories and emotions. Discussing a favorite opera or attending an afternoon concert are great ways to build meaningful connections through music.

Health — Does the person with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease enjoy walking, sports, or other forms of exercise? Classes may be available at a local community center. And a daily walk around the block together can keep you connected and build structure into the day.

Gardening — Planting seeds, watering the lawn, raking the leaves, tending a vegetable garden, and pulling up weeds are all tasks that will give the person with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease a sense of purpose while at the same time allowing him or her to enjoy the outdoors.

Household chores — Doing basic household chores, like washing dishes or dusting, is another way for the person with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease to feel useful and purposeful.

Choosing the Right Level

All activities consist of levels ranging from simple to challenging. As the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease worsen, activities can be continued, but the level at which they are carried out may need to change. For instance, enjoying music can be simple, such as listening to the radio, or more complex, such as singing in a chorus. It will help to keep the stages of Alzheimer's disease in mind when deciding on the appropriate level for activities.

Mild stage. Most people at this stage of Alzheimer's disease can still manage many daily activities at the usual level, but they may need a little help to get started or keep things going smoothly. Here are some suggestions for this stage:

		Help the person with mild Alzheimer's disease set up and start an activity. For example, help gather the supplies for a project, and do the first step together.
		Demonstrate the steps of an activity if the person is having difficulty remembering them.
		Encourage independence and choice as much as possible.

Moderate stage. Completing daily activities becomes more difficult at this stage, and the person with moderate Alzheimer's disease may become frustrated with the changes in his or her abilities. The person at this stage may have trouble completing activities that require several steps, such as preparing a meal. In addition, he or she is likely to prefer simple, familiar, predictable activities, rather than a varied routine. Here are some ideas to consider:

		Establish daily routines and stick to them as much as possible.
		Encourage participation in activities. For example, rather than asking, "Do you want to plant these flowers?" try asking, "Should we plant these flowers now or after lunch?"
		Adapt the level of activities so that the person with moderate Alzheimer's disease can continue to do them. For example, golf can be modified by playing a few holes instead of all 18.
		Break down activities (such as preparing meals, games, or exercising) into steps. Do one step at a time.
		Help the person enjoy the process of the activity even if the final product is not perfect. For example, sing favorite songs together even if he or she does not remember all of the words.
		Do as much as possible with, rather than for, the person with moderate Alzheimer's disease.