Dementia Craft: Bunny Placeholders

Easter celebrations bring families together, but the change in routine can be upsetting for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. A dementia craft project can help to engage them in the plans for the day.

Throughout the holiday, use these caregiver tips to prepare your loved one for the main event by reminding them that you’ll be having guests and asking them to help you plan the day.

This easy-to-make bunny placeholder will be a charming decoration for your holiday table. But the activity has a bigger role for those with dementia. Crafts are a great way to maintain dexterity in the fingers while stimulating brain activity.

As you work on the bunny placeholder, allow your loved one to perform the dementia craftwithout assistance unless they request it. Success lies in working through an enjoyable task together - it doesn’t matter if the end result is beautiful or not.

What You’ll Need:

• Large grey pom-pom

• Small white pom-pom

• Grey and pink felt

• Small terra cotta pot

• Silk or plastic flowers

• Glue

Steps:

1. Glue the large pom-pom inside the terra cotta pot.

2. Attach the small pom-pom like a tail to the larger pom-pom.

3. Cut out two grey ovals from the felt to create the feet, and six pink ovals for the toes (you can pre-cut these to make the assembling of the craft easier).

4. Glue the small pink ovals onto the grey felt feet.

5. Glue the feet to the outside of the terra cotta pot with the pink ovals toward the bottom.

6. Tuck small silk or plastic flowers into the pot.

7. When complete, it will look like the bunny is climbing into its hole.

Caregiver tips:

1. Get your loved one involved by starting the activity yourself and asking them to join in.

2. To enhance engagement, add a placard with the guest’s name or an old photo of the guest that your loved one helps to pick out.

3. Be flexible and don’t criticize. Enjoy the activity even if the end result isn’t perfect.

4. While doing the craft, play music your loved one enjoys and engage them in conversation.

5. Activities have the best chance of success in the morning between breakfast and lunch when your loved one is well-rested. If they don’t want to participate or get frustrated, don’t force it. Try again at another time.

6. If your loved one has dementia, a hospice care team can provide support for both the patient and family. This added assistance can be key in avoiding caregiver burnout.

See more dementia craft ideas or caregiver tips on our Pinterest Board. If you have questions about how we can assist those with Alzheimer's Disease, please call us at 888-564-3405.

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