24 stimulating sensory activities for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s
This article on sensory activities for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia has been one of our most popular since we first published it back in August 2020. Now, five years on, we’ve updated it with new information, new research and most importantly, lots of new activities to enjoy together!
At Vytality at Home, we put engagement at the very heart of our home care services. Time spent together on enjoyable activities provides engagement, cognitive stimulation, social stimulation and a shared experience. When you’re caring for someone with memory or cognitive impairment, these activities can help them in four key areas:
- Reducing agitation and anxiety
- Improving mood and well-being
- Enhancing cognitive function
- Increasing social interaction
Ensure sensory activities are a success!
Activities for those with dementia should always have a successful outcome, and be failure-free. There is no right or wrong way to do it, just the satisfaction of doing it. If the activity can be perceived as being useful too, all the better.
24 sensor activities to try with senior living with dementia and Alzheimer’s
Here is our updated list of 24 great sensory activity ideas for those living with dementia to enjoy with their caregiver. Why not try one today!
1. Indoor gardening
When it’s too hot (or cold) to go outside, bring the garden inside instead! Gardening is a truly multi-sensory activity , involving touching both soil and living plants, smelling the earth and the flowers, and the manual actions of sowing seeds, potting on plants and even digging. You can recreate these with inside gardening-inspired activities.
- Sow seeds in small pots of compost and grow on a sunny windowsill. If you grow favourite herbs , you’ll have the added bonus of the wonderful aromas when the herb leaves are crushed between fingers or chopped into a favourite recipe!
- Arranging cut flowers and foliage from their own garden is a great way to stay connected to the passing seasons. Creating flower arrangements also engages the artistic side of the brain.
2. Baking
Baking for fun is a perfect activity to share with those in the earlier stages of dementia. Those with dementia can:
- share memories of favourite cakes or pies
- look through their old recipe books
- use their hands to measure, mix, knead and roll
- smell the ingredients and share memories that might arise
- eat the results!
Make sure that the whole baking experience is within their capabilities and that it doesn’t place them in danger from sharp utensils or hot ovens.
3. Classic tactile games
Games your loved one played as a child will often ‘stick’ in their minds, along with at least some of the rules. The larger and clearer the playing pieces, the better. So look for chunky dominoes with clear dots, for example. Larger versions of ‘vertical’ games like Battleships can be more easily seen than those which are laid flat. Also, games such as Connect 4 combine a physical movement with a satisfying ‘clunk’ when dropped into place!
4. Pattern blocks and boards
This is a toy you may recognise from childhood: a set of coloured geometric shapes and cut-out outlines to slot them into. There is an element of ‘right or wrong’ involved in this activity, as some shapes will need to fit into particular slots. If this is an issue, simply go free-form and let everyone involved create their own Picasso masterpiece!
5. Folding towels and pairing socks
The simple act of folding towels is calming and soothing, and gives a feeling of contributing to the household chores. It doesn’t matter if the folds are not straight, as this activity is primarily about taking part and keeping hands busy and mobile. Having said that, it is also a lovely result to have a pile of clean, folded towels to admire and then put away! Equally it’s really satisfying to match up a selection of patterned socks into pairs – just make sure you have a partner for each sock!
6. Hand massages
Gentle hand massages are calming and may be helpful for those with dementia who constantly move their hand. Use age-appropriate hand creams and lotions to combine the massage with a lovely relaxing aroma too. See more on keeping hands busy below!
7. Knot tying and untying
For those with dexterous fingers, tying and untying knots can be very satisfying for those who have led an outside lifestyle, including boating or camping. Knot tying is a workout for the hands, involving fine motor functioning and hand/eye coordination. Choose wider, soft rope that is easy to grip and also pull apart.
8. Knitting and crochet
If your loved one enjoyed knitting in the past, they may have simply stopped because patterns became too hard to read or arthritic hands struggled with small needles. Rekindle their love with large gauge needles and brightly-coloured yarns, and let muscle memory do the rest. The results may be a little ragged and wonky, but the repetitive action is often soothing and again, keeps fidgeting hands busy.
9. Games on a tablet computer
A tablet computer like an iPad opens up a vast online choice of different games to play. Look for those specifically designed for seniors in bright colours and with clear images. A tablet can also be used to watch favourite TV shows and films on catch-up, and also for easy (and usually free) video calls to friends and family. High-end models can be expensive; instead go for a lower end model and spend a few dollars more on a screen protector and a brightly-coloured protective, shock absorbent case You can also buy second-hand, reconditioned tablets from reputable online stores.
10. Organizing the junk drawer
Let’s be honest, every home has a junk drawer! Ask for help from your loved one in sorting it out. Take the whole drawer out and place it on a table, and put a tray at the side where sorted items can be placed. It’s amazing what memories will be triggered by items in the drawer, from the discarded ‘gifts’ from Christmas crackers to mystery keys for long-gone locks. Allow plenty of time for this activity as you’ll spend as much time as your senior saying “Now what was that used for?!”
11. Soft toys therapy
Soft toys can be a great comfort to anxious seniors who can give them a cuddle and a hug. According to Dementia UK:
“Holding or just being with a doll or soft toy animal, such as a cat or dog, can be particularly helpful for people who are withdrawn, restless, distressed or anxious, improving their wellbeing and ability to communicate. The sensation of holding a doll or toy animal can be soothing.” (4)
12. Pets as Therapy
Many of those with dementia who have had pets in the past brighten when they are in contact with similar pet animals. Many care homes (and schools) now have pets that visit under a Visiting Therapy Dog scheme or similar. As Therapeutic Paws of Canada say:
“The petting and stroking of a pet helps to calm the most agitated senior and stimulates wonderful conversations about the pet they once owned and loved.” (5)
You could do the same for your loved one at home – just contact one of the organisations offering this such as the St. John Ambulance.
The latest animatronic cats and dogs can provide immense comfort. They look and feel pretty real, and simulate the sounds and gentle movements of a pet sitting on your lap.
13. Shuffling and arranging cards
Cards are a great resource for family caregivers and almost anyone who is housebound. Long after the ability to play structured games such as bridge has gone, there are still simple fun to be had with games of snap or suit matching the cards. And when these in turn become too confusing, just the simple act of shuffling cards and laying them out has a soothing and satisfying feel for those with dementia.
14. Natural sounds and white noise
Background noise can be soothing for those with dementia, but the constant changes of dynamics in radio and tv shows make them unsuitable. Instead, play natural sounds such as birdsong, forest soundtracks, even waterfalls and rivers at low levels. White noise can also help by masking other disruptive or disturbing sounds, creating a consistent and therefore calming auditory environment. As one study put it; white noise is “A simple, convenient, and noninvasive intervention that improves agitated behavior in older adults with dementia.” (2)
15. Make your own fidget sensory box
This is like a “lucky dip” of items that can be squeezed, stroked, felt and fiddled with, just for the sheer pleasure of it. You might like to include items such as:
- soft plastic balls that can be squeezed
- old zippers
- buttons, either sewn in a row or strung on cord
- wind-up toys that move in some way
- contrasting fabric samples – fur, silk, faux leather, bright cotton print
- smooth pebbles or turned wood eggs (not too small)
One of our team has a box like this created solely from giveaway items picked up at conferences, trade shows and other corporate events. These include badge lanyards with clips, stress balls, toy figures, branded puzzles, keyrings, and even bamboo socks!
16. Sort the pen pot
If like us you are always trying to find a pen in your loved one’s house, here’s an activity that is really useful! Ask your senior to help test and sort collections of pens into those that work and those that don’t. No more grabbing a pen to write something down, and discovering it has run out of ink or is broken!
17. No-paint painting
Otherwise known as aqua-painting, colourful pictures are revealed when gently ‘painted’ with a paintbrush dipped in plain water. The colour fades as the water evaporates, so you can paint them again and again. Find these in children’s toys store.
18. A familiar item to hand
Many of us will know the feeling of needing to check we have personal items with us, from patting our passports in a pocket at an airport, to checking handbags for house keys and mobile phone (preferably before we close the front door…). Put various sizes of coins and keys in a purse or wallet that is kept reassuringly within reach to check and recheck when required..
19. Cuddle cushion or sensory blanket
This is a scaled-up version of the toys you can buy for babies (and for puppies!) with different textures of fabric – crinkles, bobbles, smooth, shiny. A standard cushion or washable blanket can be customised with extra textures such as faux leather or crochet, removable strung bead loops, velcro’d animal shapes, sequin fabric and button-down flaps, whatever you know your senior enjoys. Keep one side as a warm, fluffy surface that can be cuddled close for comfort.
One dementia charity recommends adding a clear plastic pocket for photos, but that might not be suitable if you want your cushion or blanket to be machine washable for hygiene.
20. Scent boxes
Familiar scents can often trigger memories more effectively than visual clues. You can make your own with kitchen ingredients to guess using either small clean plastic containers, small sealable plastic bags stapled to card, or samples tied in small muslin bags or cotton squares. Think cloves, cardamon, roasted coffee beans, lemon peel, cinnamon bark, vanilla pods, etc. You can also use drops of essential oils on small cotton pads, such as peppermint, eucalyptus and orange. Use your imagination to think how other smells might trigger other memories, such as charred wood, fresh pine needles and BBQ sauce for camping holidays.
21. Wooden puzzles and latch boxes
Clear, colourful wooden jigsaws and other puzzles that have chunky pieces and create a colourful picture are very satisfying to handle and to complete. Latch boards or boxes include lots of different closure hardware from bolts to hooks, often opening to reveal hidden picture or compartments with items in. Closing and opening each will be a success in itself, making these very satisfying activities that are also durable.
22. Sensory pouches / squish bags
We love this very clever idea, and so will your young grandchildren! Squish bags are zip lock plastic bags filled with small objects suspended in a squishy gel. They combine visual stimulation of colour with the contrast of textures between the object and the gel they are suspended in. They are also easy and cheap to make.
23. A day at the beach
Bring that seaside experience inside with a DIY beach, including sea shells, water, pebbles and plastic toy crabs and fish. Your ‘beach’ can be a simple tray or washing up bowl on a tabletop, or think bigger with a kids plastic play sand pit outside on the deck complete with buckets and plastic spades. Why not make a day of it too – pop on sunshades, a hat and a CD of sea sounds. Perhaps even take off shoes and socks for a seated ’paddle’ with feet in a bowl of water – with a strand of seaweed!
24. Let it snow!
From our article on Christmas sensory activities
For seniors with limited mobility, snow can become something they worry about rather than enjoy. So, try to make snow fun again! Bring snow inside in a bowl to feel and crush, or make snowballs (waterproof warm gloves recommended).
Take your well-wrapped up loved one out into winter sunshine to sit on a patio and build a mini snowman on a tray. Or enjoy one of our all-time favourite snow activities – making maple snow taffy!
Home care for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s
At Vytality at Home, we offer our exceptional home care services for those living with dementia, offering a welcome three hours or more of respite care for those caring for them too. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Sensory activities and dementia: scientific studies
There are increasing numbers of studies into the benefits of sensory activities for those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
One study into sensory and memory stimulation for those with dementia who live in long-term care settings (3) stated that the main overall benefit was improved communication. The main barriers were access to these activities, and staff training. At Vytality at Home, our homecare service simply bypass those barriers. Our three hour home care visits ensure our lovely caregivers have time to engage in activities with those they care for.
Many seniors with dementia often experience feelings of anxiety, agitation or anger. Enjoyable activities with a sensory element can really help them to keep calm or relax. As Daily Caring magazine says:
“Sensory therapy is an effective method for reducing anxiety, calming nerves, and providing comfort. Seniors use simple touch-based activities to occupy their hands and minds in safe, soothing ways.”
Multisensory activities can be even more effective. Multisensory activities engage at leat two of our core senses – sight, sound, touch, scent and taste. According to one review paper:
“Multisensory stimulation significantly reduced agitation, apathy and depression. Moreover, the intervention significantly improved overall cognitive function.” (1)
Interestingly, the report above found no reduction in anxiety in those with more advanced dementia. As anyone who cares for a loved one with dementia knows, many show their anxiety levels through almost constant movement of their hands. This can be repeatedly rubbing hands together, plucking at clothing, or handling a familiar object over and over, such as a purse. See activities numbers 5, 7, 11, 15, 18 and 19 above for ways to reduce anxiety and keep busy hands busy.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s home care in Calgary
At Vytality at Home, our team are happy to help with ensuring you can continue to live independently with the care you require. We also have experienced caregivers who understand the specific needs of seniors living with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
For more info, just contact us:
DISCLAIMER:
This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician / health care provider if you have any questions about your health.
About the author
Nicole Dyer is Co-Founder & Co-President of Vytality at Home. She is a seasoned leader in senior living and healthcare operations, with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and growth in the sector. Nicole is a member of CPHR Alberta, and is an Ad Hoc Board Member and Administrator for Gordie Howe CARES, a charity working for the advancement of Alzheimer’s and dementia-related programming and events in Calgary.
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2025 SOURCES
(1) Octary T, Fajarini M, Arifin H, Chen R, Sung CM, Chang LF, Wang CH, Banda KJ, Chou KR | 2025 May | Multisensory stimulation reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms and enhances cognitive function in older adults with dementia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials | article | The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Volume 12, Issue 5, 2025 | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2274580725000354
(2) Lin, Li-Wei et al | 2018 February | “The Effects of White Noise on Agitated Behaviors, Mental Status, and Activities of Daily Living in Older Adults With Dementia.” | Article | The journal of nursing research : JNR vol. 26,1 (2018): 2-9 | https://doi.org/10.1097/JNR.0000000000000211
(3) Mileski, M., Baar Topinka, J., Brooks, M., Lonidier, C., Linker, K., & Vander Veen, K. | 2018 17 May | Sensory and memory stimulation as a means to care for individuals with dementia in long-term care facilities. | Clinical interventions in aging, 13, 967–974| Paper | https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S153113
(4) Dementia UK staff | 2025, June | Doll therapy for those living with dementia | article | Dementia UK website | https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/living-with-dementia/doll-therapy/
(5) retrieved 12 August 2025 | Therapeutic Paws of Canada | https://tpoc.ca/programs/#paws-with-love
