Valentine Candle: Activities for Dementia Patients

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that  5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Many of these people have loving spouses acting as their primary caregivers. After decades of building a life together, they find themselves caring for a life partner who may no longer remember their name.

As heartbreaking and frustrating as loving someone with dementia can be, it can also still be a rewarding and fulfilling time together in sickness as it was in health.

Caregivers should develop reasonable expectations for the new normal of their lives together. Instead of pushing a loved one with dementia about a forgotten name, learn to communicate in a new way to de-escalate frustration.  Develop a routine and schedule to reduce their confusion and adapt your schedule to maximize your mornings and afternoons when individuals with dementia are typically well-rested and calmer.

While a spouse’s memory and personality may change, couples can still have fun and create meaningful moments together. Couples can listen to music together, go to favorite museums, or visit a local garden or zoo. Spouses can also engage with their loved one by working on activities for dementia patients like this easy to make Valentine candle. Work on the project together and then display it in a place that will remind you that the light of your love shines on.

Valentine Candle 

What You’ll Need: 

• A glass jar
• Red and white tissue paper cut into one inch squares
• Mod Podge
• A paintbrush
• Safety scissors
• A battery-powered candle

Steps: 

1. Use the paint brush to begin coating Mod Podge onto the glass jar.
2. Place a white tissue square onto the Mod Podge and use the paint brush to coat Mod Podge over it.
3. Continue doing this until your entire jar is covered with white tissue squares and Mod Podge.
4. Cut out hearts from the red tissue paper.
5. Place red tissue paper hearts onto the jar, coating each with Mod Podge as you add them.
6. Allow the jar to dry.
7. Add your battery-operated candle.  

See more activities for dementia patients.

Caregiver Tips 

1. The goal of this craft is to have an enjoyable time making it together. Don’t worry about the end product or making it look perfect.
2. If your loved one can no longer use scissors, pre-cut the squares and hearts.
3. While doing activities with a loved one with dementia, engage them in conversation. Play music your loved one enjoys softly in the background to create a positive mood.
4. Activities for people with dementia have the best chance of success in the morning between breakfast and lunch when this loved one is well rested. If they don’t want to participate or get frustrated, don’t force it. Try again another time.

Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care is also open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to support patients with dementia and their families. Please call us at 1-888-564-3405 to learn more about how our unique care programs help provide a higher quality of life for dementia patients while helping caregivers avoid burnout.

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