10 Simple Five-Minute Activities for Dementia Care

In this article, you’ll find 10 five-minute activities for dementia care. From taking care of my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I learned that the little things really count.

When Time is Short: 10 Five-Minute Activities for Dementia Care

Even a five-minute activity can bring a little happiness to both the person with dementia and you. This is something that I learned over time, so try these, they can obviously last longer but these are ideas for something quick – 10 five-minute activities for dementia that may help. Let me know If you find these helpful, that would be great.

1. Having a Quick Memory Matching Game

Grab a pack of picture cards, numbered, animal or photo picture card or make your own from photographs for a quick memory game or if you’d prefer more variety you can try online versions like Memozor memory games where your loved one can play solo, against you or the computer, it also has options to reduce or increase the grid size to make it easier.

But if you’re doing it manually then this simplified version uses just four to six pairs of cards with familiar images. Spread them face down on a table and guide your loved one to find matching pairs. 

You’ll need:

• 4-6 simple matching cards (or make your own from photos) placed on a flat, well-lit surface

It’s an easy approach to engage their concentration and memory whilst celebrating the small wins.

Tip: Don’t stress much if it’s too hard, reduce the number of cards, give tips. Sometimes just chatting about the pictures is enough!

---

2. Exploring Textures or Scents

The activity that I enjoyed the most with Mum is giving her a familiar, tactile object. Occasionally, it’s a soft scarf, while on other occasions, it’s a smooth pebble or shells that I collected on beach visits. Once, I handed her a frankincense sachet, and she took a deep breath and the smell reminded her of living in Dubai, and she stared to chat about her memories of that time.

What You’ll Need:

• A single textured or scented item (try a knitted, jersey or silk fabric, pebbles or shells, or essential oil sachet).

Sensory experiences can help decrease stress and trigger old happy memories.

Tip: Ask open-ended questions like, “What does this remind you of?” You might be amazed at the stories they share.

---

3. A Mini Scavenger Hunt

One of the most useful tips I’ve came across in the early days was asking Mum to help me find a couple of things, especially on hard days to give her a sense of purpose like  “Mum, where did I put that photo of us in the garden?” and off we went searching for it. But the same can apply for household items, or aimed at whatever task you’re doing at that time.

What You’ll Need:

• Try placing three familiar items within easy view. Ask your loved one to find just one or two specific objects. Keep items visible and within reach and something that is familiar

It’s a simple activity that helps loved ones by getting them moving with purpose!

Tip: If mobility is an issue, turn it into an “I Spy” game instead. Keep it light and fun!

---

4. Storytelling with an Old Photo

Sometimes, we sit together and just look at one photo—and only one—and chat for a few minutes. I can still remember when I showed Mum a wedding photo of her niece and the memories came flooding in!

What You’ll Need:

• A photo album or a favourite magazine.

The brilliant thing about visual items is that it helps stimulate long-term memories, giving them the chance to reconnect with their past.

Tip: Use happy photos and keep the conversation uplifting.

---

5. Gentle Chair Exercises

I try to brighten up our day by putting on some music and saying “Mum, let’s dance in our chairs, we need to stretch, I’m getting so stiff!” So we do a few stretches in our chair, nothing more than 5 minutes, put some music to help!

What You’ll Need: 

• Nothing but a sturdy chair and a little imagination!
• Try five arm raises, five leg extensions, five toe taps and five heel raises (these are great for reducing leg swelling, read more here)
• Light torso twists (careful of any limitations or over exertion)

You loved doing these gentle movements as they aids circulation, flexibility, and emotional health, and make you feel more energised.

Tip: Just a few simple arm lifts or leg stretches will do. Play some upbeat music to make things fun!

---

6. Sorting Items Together

I was tidying up some supplies and I asked Mum, “Can you help me sort these knitting wools by colour?” She was happy to help, and it only took a few minutes as these were large rather than tiny objects, and it gave mum a short break in her day—fun, easy, and oddly satisfying.

What You’ll Need: 

• Coloured items like large buttons, cutlery, wool, paint pots, or craft sticks and containers to sort them into.

This works as it’s a great way to promote fine motor skills.

Tip: Phrase the task as needing – this small shift in language can make it feel more rewarding to them.

---

7. Singing a Favourite Song

Music has this almost magical ability to bring anyone happiness. Sometimes I play an old song she loves or I’ll try to sing and mum will tell me to shh! Or for quieter moments of reflection that mum prefers it listening to prayer recitations.

What You’ll Need:

• A playlist of their favourite songs, hymns, or prayers

The great thing is that music taps into long-term memory and can instantly uplift moods.

Tip: Stick to songs, prayers or melodies they know well, and sing along to make it interactive!

---

8. Reminiscing with a Familiar Object

One quiet afternoon, I handed Mum her old watch (it became too big for her small wrists years ago)—it was a pretty gold one with the intricate band that she used to wear everyday. She turned it in her hands, and for a moment was quiet before saying I thought I’d lost this watch, and I asked her about it, where she got it, who bought it.

What You’ll Need:

• Any object that holds special meaning to your loved one.

Bringing out familiar objects like a favourite teacup, mug, photo, jewellery can provide comfort.

Tip: Stick to comforting items, and let them take the lead in conversation without pushing.

---

9. Solving a Mini Puzzle

Simple puzzles can be surprisingly engaging. With just a few large pieces, it can help loved ones stays focused without getting frustrated especially when a piece clicks into place!

What You’ll Need: 

• A puzzle with 6-12 large, easy-to-grip pieces (even better if it reflects their interests).
• If you don’t have any at home, you can use online jigsaw sites like Jigidi.com

Large piece puzzles are a great short, quick activity that encourages problem-solving in a gentle, manageable way.

Tip: Focus on one section or piece at a time, and celebrate even the smallest progress.

---

10. Exploring Scents Together

I opened a jar of cardamoms from the kitchen and held it under Mum’s nose. Her eyes lit up, and she said, “This smells like tea, make me a cup of chai tea!!” That one moment opened up a warm conversation about the different ways that you can make chai tea compared the traditional way she was taught.

What You’ll Need:

• Recognisable scents like cloves,cinnamon coffee, or lavender etc

I love certain smells and they work really well with loved ones with dementia in providing a calming sensory experience.

Tip: Use scents they have positive associations with, and keep the experience simple and soothing.

---

A Final Thought

These five-minute activities aren’t just for your loved one; they’re for you, too. They remind us to pause, breathe, and enjoy the time we share with each other, sometimes, life gets in the way, so having short activities that you can do together when time is limited is perfect for your caregiving tool bag!

Let me know if you have any great ideas in the comment below, and let me know if you’d like any other article ideas!