Dementia activities don’t have to be complicated. Gary has always enjoyed getting out of the house, and one of the simplest things that still brings him joy is going for a ride with me.
Sometimes Earl comes along too—which, when your passenger is a 125-pound Great Pyrenees, makes the trip a little more interesting.
We don’t have to go anywhere special. I load everybody into the Hummer, roll down the windows, open the sunroof, and turn up some old country music. One of Gary’s favorites is Luckenbach, Texas. We drive around for a while, take in the scenery, and usually find a drive-thru somewhere to get some ice cream.
That’s it.
There’s no big activity planned. No complicated outing. No schedule we have to follow.
And that’s exactly why it works.
As dementia progresses, outings that used to be easy can become overwhelming. Crowded restaurants, unfamiliar places, long waits, and too much stimulation may turn something that was supposed to be fun into something stressful.
But a short ride in a familiar vehicle can be different.
Gary can sit back and enjoy the music. He can feel the breeze coming through the windows. Earl is there with us. We can go at our own pace, and if Gary gets tired or restless, we simply head home.
I think sometimes, as caregivers, we put pressure on ourselves to create dementia activities that are productive, meaningful, or elaborate. We feel like we should be doing something productive, meaningful, or elaborate.
But meaningful doesn’t have to be elaborate.
Sometimes it’s an old country song.
Sometimes it’s the wind coming through an open window.
Sometimes it’s a dog sitting between you.
And sometimes it’s getting ice cream at the drive-thru just because you can.
Those little moments still count.
Actually, I think they’re some of the ones that count the most.
The Roadmap Reminder:
Don’t underestimate the simple things they still enjoy. You don’t always have to bring your loved one to the activity. Sometimes you can bring the joy to them.