Everyone including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia loves a good game! The key to playing a game with someone who has Alzheimer’s or dementia to is play at their level. Here are two games to try with your loved one and ways they can be modified for different levels. Give it a try! You may be surprised!
Game 1: Draw the word
Materials: pen, pencil, scrap paper, container of some kind
On each piece of scrap pieces of paper write a one word noun (person, place or thing), such as cat, house, broom.
Place all the scraps of paper into the container
Take turns pulling out a piece of paper and drawing the object.
The other person has to guess what is being drawn.
Variations:
Variation 1- You draw an object that comes to mind and have the person with Alzheimer’s guess what it is.
Variation 2- Collect pictures of different people, places, or things. Let the person with Alzheimer’s disease enjoy looking at the pictures and then work with them to identify the objects in the pictures. Hint: Pick up a packet of children’s flash cards with objects on them.
Variation 3- On one scrap of paper draw the picture and on another scrap of paper write the word corresponding. Have the person with Alzheimer’s try to match the picture with the word. Let them enjoy looking at the pictures and words and enjoy the pleasure of simple words and pictures.
Game 2: Card Games
Try simple card games such as Go Fish and Old Maid. These are games they probably already know how to play. No need to stick to traditional cards, other cards may be enjoyable to your loved one. Try using sport cards or even a regular deck of cards. They can even sort or categorize a regular playing deck.
Be flexible with the rules of the game as sticking to the rules may not be an option for your loved one. Let your loved one look at the cards and play the game the way they would like to play. Overall, just have fun!
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