Herbal Sachet: Activities for Dementia Patients

Winter’s long, dark days can be a difficult time for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. Chilly days and icy sidewalks can limit time outdoors, forcing caregivers to get creative with engaging activities for their loved one with dementia.

It’s worth the effort involved to brighten your loved one with dementa’s day with a special activity while warming your own heart. Herbal sachets are a great way to remind yourself that spring is coming with their luxurious garden scents.

Not only do herbal sachets smell beautiful, but you can put them in your closets and drawers to deter moths. Choose your favorite herbs when making the easy no-sew herbal sachet below. Dried lavender smells lovely, but if you enjoy rosemary, you should use fresh rosemary which has a stronger smell than the dried varieties in the spice aisle.

Other ideas for your herbal sachet include cedar chips, lemongrass, mint, bay leaves, or cloves. Let your loved one with dementia tell you which scents they enjoy to help make the activity more engaging for them.

Herbal Sachet

What You’ll Need: 

• Your favorite herbs
• Basic cotton fabric
• Double-sided perma-stick tape
• Safety scissors

 Steps:

1. Cut fabric into a long rectangle.
2. Fold over the fabric so it forms a square.
3. Open the square up and add perma-stick tape along the three open sides of one square.
4. Place a pile of herbs in the center of the tape.
5. Fold over the fabric to make a square.
6. Press the edges to ensure they are sealed.
7. Trim any rough edges from the sides of the sachet. 

 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 about favorite colors or clothing they used to wear.
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.
4. Remember that the goal is to have an engaging activity with your loved one with dementia. You can coordinate the pillow with your home décor, but the real goal is a fun activity and a way to connect with your loved one. Don’t worry about the end result.

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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