This month is filled with planning, gatherings and festive holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah but in between, there are plenty of other holidays that you can enjoy and celebrate.
Here’s a list of activities and ideas, both indoor and outdoor that you can do that are perfect for older adults with dementia.
We all know that mental health is important but for those with dementia, mental stimulation such as activities help maintain mental clarity and overall mental well-being.
But, it can be difficult coming up with ideas on what to do.
These monthly activities are meant to improve the quality of life not only for those loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s, but for their family members too.
This list of activities is meant mostly for family members who are caring for seniors with dementia at home.
But of course, some of the activities could also be implemented for those living in an independent living home, an assisted living facility or memory care unit.
Free Printable Activity Calendar
Activity Calendar For Seniors With Dementia Click Here to Download It!
For Families Caring For
Seniors With Dementia
December 1
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect pinecones or evergreen branches for a craft.
Indoor: Use the collected items to make a simple holiday-themed centerpiece.
The walk encourages light exercise, and the craft activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 2
Outdoor: Visit a local park and enjoy the crisp winter air.
Indoor: Bake a batch of gingerbread cookies together.
The outing provides fresh air and sensory stimulation, while baking encourages collaboration and a sense of accomplishment.
December 3
Outdoor: Sit outside and listen to the sounds of nature, like rustling leaves or chirping birds.
Indoor: Paint or draw a picture of a cozy winter scene.
Both activities promote relaxation and creativity, reducing stress for both the caregiver and the person with dementia.
December 4
Outdoor: Take a short walk and collect colorful leaves or evergreen branches to press in a book.
Indoor: Use the pressed items to create a holiday-themed bookmark.
The walk encourages light exercise, and the craft activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 5
Outdoor: Visit a local café and enjoy a warm drink together.
Indoor: Play a board game like Checkers or Bingo.
The outing provides social interaction, and the game stimulates cognitive function and fun.
December 6
Outdoor: Sit outside and watch the sunset while wrapped in cozy blankets.
Indoor: Make a gratitude list or jar, writing down things you’re thankful for.
Watching the sunset promotes calmness, and the gratitude activity fosters positivity and emotional well-being.
December 7
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect sticks to make a DIY holiday decoration.
Indoor: Decorate the sticks together with paint, ribbons, and glitter.
The walk encourages light exercise, and the craft activity fosters creativity and teamwork.
December 8
Outdoor: Visit a local library or bookstore and browse books about winter holidays.
Indoor: Read a short story or poem aloud together.
The outing provides mental stimulation, and reading together promotes bonding and relaxation.
December 9
Outdoor: Sit outside and listen to an audiobook or podcast about nature.
Indoor: Knit, crochet, or work on a simple sewing project together.
Listening to stories promotes relaxation, and crafting enhances fine motor skills and focus.
December 10
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect rocks, then paint them at home.
Indoor: Arrange the painted rocks in a decorative pattern.
The walk encourages light exercise, and painting rocks fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 11
Outdoor: Visit a local pond or lake and skip stones or watch the water.
Indoor: Work on a simple puzzle together.
The outing promotes relaxation, and puzzles enhance cognitive function and patience.
December 12
Outdoor: Sit outside and watch birds, using a bird guidebook to identify them.
Indoor: Make a simple birdhouse or bird feeder together.
Bird-watching promotes mindfulness, and the craft activity fosters a sense of accomplishment.
December 13
Outdoor: Take a walk and look for signs of winter (e.g., frost, bare trees).
Indoor: Make a scrapbook page with winter-themed decorations.
The walk encourages mindfulness, and scrapbooking fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 14
Outdoor: Visit a local garden or arboretum to enjoy the winter scenery.
Indoor: Paint or draw a picture of your favorite part of the visit.
The outing provides sensory stimulation, and the art activity encourages creativity and self-expression.
December 15
Outdoor: Sit outside and blow bubbles together.
Indoor: Fold laundry or sort socks together while listening to music.
Blowing bubbles is a calming sensory activity, and folding laundry provides a sense of routine and accomplishment.
December 16
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect fallen branches to make a DIY holiday wreath.
Indoor: Decorate the wreath together with ribbons and faux leaves.
The walk encourages light exercise, and the craft activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 17
Outdoor: Visit a local bakery and pick out a treat to enjoy together.
Indoor: Play a memory game using playing cards or matching tiles.
The outing provides sensory enjoyment, and the game stimulates cognitive function.
December 18
Outdoor: Sit outside and watch the stars or moon together.
Indoor: Make a simple dreamcatcher or star-themed craft.
Stargazing promotes relaxation, and the craft activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 19
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect pinecones or evergreen branches for a craft.
Indoor: Use the collected items to make a holiday-themed garland.
The walk encourages light exercise, and the craft activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 20
Outdoor: Visit a local park and have a mini photo shoot with holiday decorations.
Indoor: Look through old photo albums together.
The photo shoot provides fun and creativity, while reminiscing with photos stimulates memory and connection.
December 21
Outdoor: Sit outside and listen to a playlist of their favorite songs from their youth.
Indoor: Dance or gently sway to the music together.
Music stimulates memory and emotional connection, while dancing encourages light physical activity.
December 22
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect colorful leaves or evergreen branches to press in a book.
Indoor: Use the pressed items to create a holiday-themed bookmark.
The walk encourages light exercise, and the craft activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 23
Outdoor: Visit a local orchard and pick apples (if accessible).
Indoor: Make applesauce or apple crisp together.
Apple picking provides sensory engagement, and cooking together fosters a sense of achievement.
December 24
Outdoor: Sit outside and watch the clouds, describing their shapes.
Indoor: Make a simple bird feeder using pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed.
Cloud-watching promotes relaxation, and making a bird feeder fosters a sense of purpose.
December 25
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect sticks to make a DIY holiday decoration.
Indoor: Decorate the sticks together with paint, ribbons, and glitter.
The walk encourages light exercise, and the craft activity fosters creativity and teamwork.
December 26
Outdoor: Visit a local coffee shop and enjoy a warm drink together.
Indoor: Play a board game like Checkers or Bingo.
The outing provides social interaction, and the game stimulates cognitive function and fun.
December 27
Outdoor: Sit outside and listen to an audiobook or podcast about nature.
Indoor: Knit, crochet, or work on a simple sewing project together.
Listening to stories promotes relaxation, and crafting enhances fine motor skills and focus.
December 28
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect rocks, then paint them at home.
Indoor: Arrange the painted rocks in a decorative pattern.
The walk encourages light exercise, and painting rocks fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 29
Outdoor: Visit a local pond or lake and skip stones or watch the water.
Indoor: Work on a simple puzzle together.
The outing promotes relaxation, and puzzles enhance cognitive function and patience.
December 30
Outdoor: Sit outside and watch the stars or moon together.
Indoor: Make a simple dreamcatcher or star-themed craft.
Stargazing promotes relaxation, and the craft activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
December 31
Outdoor: Take a walk and collect pinecones or evergreen branches for a craft.
Indoor: Use the collected items to make a holiday-themed garland.
The walk encourages light exercise, and the craft activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
