From taking care of my mother who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I learned that the little things really count. Being a caregiver is one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever done, but it has really taught me about the importance of patience, love, and the uniqueness of experiences shared. Every new day presents its unique challenges—there are days when it feels too much. But then, I see her with that smile, laughing, and we suddenly connect. These are the moments that make it all worthwhile and they come from the simplest of ideas.
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.
When Time is Short: 10 Five-Minute Activities for Dementia Care
In this article, you’ll find 10 five-minute activities for dementia care.
I know these will make a difference, so here’s a list of ten activities that only take a few minutes to do, but have largely contributed to our lives being better when push comes to shove to help support a loved one. Let me know If you find these helpful, that would be great.
1. Having a Quick Memory Matching Game
There was a day when I saw a small bag of picture cards in the cupboard that had cute images of animals and everyday objects. I laid them on the table and said, “Mum, let’s match these together.” The concentration on her face when she was searching for the matching pairs was just so cute that I had to smile. It is not about completing the task correctly; it is about doing it together.
This simplified version uses just three to four pairs of cards with familiar images. Spread them face-up 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.
2. Exploring Textures or Scents
The activity that I enjoy 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 I found on a walk. Once, I handed her a frankincense sachet, and she took a deep breath—and the way her shoulders dropped, like some of the tension lifted, was so soothing to watch as it reminded her of her time living in Dubai.
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.
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, do you remember where we put that photo of you in the garden?” All of a sudden, we were on a small adventure together looking for it and it felt like we both won after finding it.
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!
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 that 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.
5. Gentle Chair Exercises
You know how stiff you can get from just sitting most of the day, so when we’re feeling a little lack lustre or no energy, I try to brighten up our day by saying “Mum, let’s both stretch our arms out like we’re reaching for the stars!” I’ll say it with laughter encouraging her to join me and ignore how silly we might look!
What You’ll Need:
- Nothing but a sturdy chair and a little imagination!
- Try Five arm raises, Five leg extensions
- 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.
6. Sorting Colors Together
We were once tidying up some craft supplies and I casually said to Mum, “Can you help me sort these sticks by color?” At that, she jumped right in and started laying them out on the table. So, it was a peaceful break in our day—fun, easy, and oddly satisfying.
What You’ll Need:
- Colored items like buttons, blocks, or craft sticks and containers to sort them into
This works as it’s a great way to promote fine motor skills and give them a sense of achievement.
7. Singing a Favorite Song
Music has this almost magical ability to bring my mum to life. Sometimes I play an old song she loves and we clap along, or I’ll try to sing and um will tell me to shh! Or for quieter moments of reflection it could be reciting a prayer.
What You’ll Need:
- A playlist of their favorite songs, hymns, or prayers
The great thing is that music taps into long-term memory and can instantly uplift moods.
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)—the pretty gold one with the intricate band she used to wear it everyday. She turned it in her hands, and for a moment was quiet before saying I thought I’d lost this watch, I used to wear this everyday.
What You’ll Need:
- Any object that holds special meaning to them.
Bringing out familiar objects like a favourite teacup, mug, photo, jewellery can provide comfort.
9. Solving a Mini Puzzle
Simple puzzles can be surprisingly engaging. With just a few large pieces, Mum stays focused without getting frustrated—and when she clicks a piece into place, her face lights up.
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.
10. Exploring Scents Together
One afternoon, 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:
- Recognizable scents like cloves,cinnamon coffee, or lavender.
I love certain smells and they work really well with loved ones with dementia in unlocking long-buried memories and providing a calming sensory experience.
A Final Thought
Caregiving is hard—there’s no sugarcoating that. But it’s also deeply meaningful. These five-minute activities aren’t just for your loved one; they’re for you, too. They remind us to pause, breathe, and cherish the little things.
You are doing incredible work. On the hard days, remember you’re not alone, and even the smallest shared moment can bring light into both your worlds. So take a deep breath, pick one thing to try today, and know you’re making a difference. Let’s keep creating joy, one five-minute moment at a time.
We’re in this together.
