Garden Stones: Activities for Dementia Patients

Gardening is a wonderful, stress-reducing activity for a loved one with dementia that provides exercise and mental stimulation benefiting both them and their caregivers. By working in the garden together, family caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer’s can improve their connection and level of engagement.

There are a few things caregivers should consider when planning a garden for a loved one with dementia. First, they should give careful thought to the tools they have available. Sharp or dangerous tools should be stored in a place where their loved one cannot access them without careful supervision.

If your loved one with dementia has mobility issues, plan a raised garden bed or work with containers to make it easier for your loved one to reach the plants.

Caregivers should also give some thought to the type of plants they include. Avoid plants that are poisonous when eaten or plants that have thorns as loved ones may forget to take care when touching them. Instead, caregivers should plant flowers and vegetables that their loved one enjoys and those that bring up happy memories.

Gardening should be done early in the morning when the day is coolest and your loved one with dementia has a higher chance of becoming engaged with the activity. Healthy activity early in the day can help those with dementia sleep better at night.

Make the gardening experience more fun by adding these garden stones that identify growing plants.

Garden Stones

What You’ll Need:

• River stones  
• Red, orange, and green acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• White paint marker
• Clear acrylic sealant spray

Steps:

1. Paint the river stones with the color and shapes of growing vegetables.
2. Label each stone with the name of the plants in white paint.
3. Let the paint dry.
4. Once the paint has dried, spray the rocks with the clear sealant to protect them from the outdoor elements.

See more activities for dementia patients.

Caregiver Tips

1. While doing activities with a loved one with dementia, engage them in conversation. Play music they enjoy softly in the background to create a positive mood.
2. Even though your loved one may not remember names or things that happened in recent days, they may still remember their childhood. Ask them to share stories.
3. Activities for people with dementia have the best chance of success early in the day when your 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 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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