Are you looking for fun games to play with a loved one who has dementia?
Keeping their mind engaged can boost their mood and may even slow down memory loss. But sometimes, finding the perfect games can be a bit tricky.
No worries, though! I’ve got your back. In this guide, you’ll find 15 fantastic game ideas that are just right for people with dementia.
These games are easy to learn, enjoyable, and great for exercising the brain. Plus, I’ll walk you through how to play each one. So, let’s get started!
Image Credit: Gerd Altmann via Pixabay
1. Picture Bingo
Who doesn’t love a good game of bingo? Picture bingo is a fun twist on the classic game that’s perfect for dementia patients.
To get started, print out bingo cards with simple pictures on them. Think of everyday objects like a dog, a car, or a tree.
As you call out the pictures one by one, players mark them off on their card. The first player to mark all their pictures wins!
What makes this game great is that it’s easy to understand, and the pictures can help trigger memories.
2. What’s Missing?
If you’re looking for a memory game that’s easy to set up, What’s Missing is a fantastic choice. It’s perfect for dementia patients and can be played almost anywhere.
Gather a few common items and place them on a tray. A spoon, a pen, or a small toy are all good options.
Give the players a minute to study the tray, then cover it with a cloth and remove one item. Uncover the tray and ask the players to guess which item is missing. Keep taking turns until someone guesses correctly.
Not only does this game help with memory and focus, but it can also spark conversations about the items on the tray.
3. Matching Games
Matching games are a classic way to keep the mind sharp, and they’re great for dementia patients too.
You can buy a matching game at the store or make your own by printing out pairs of pictures on cards.
To play, spread all the cards face down on a table. Players take turns flipping over two cards to find a match. If the cards match, the player keeps them and goes again. If not, they flip the cards back over and the next player takes their turn.
At the end of the game, the player with the most matches wins!
4. Jigsaw Puzzles
There’s just something satisfying about putting together a jigsaw puzzle, isn’t there? And it turns out, they’re great for dementia patients too.
When choosing a puzzle, look for one with large pieces and a simple picture, like a landscape or still life.
Work on the puzzle together, starting with the edge pieces and gradually filling in the middle. Don’t worry if you need to take breaks or can’t finish in one sitting. The joy is in the journey, not just the destination.
Jigsaw puzzles are a fantastic way to improve problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
5. Sorting Games
Another easy and engaging activity for dementia patients is sorting games. They’re a breeze to set up and can be played with all sorts of objects.
Gather a mix of items like buttons, beads, or even socks. Place the pile in front of the players and have them sort the items by color, size, or shape.
Sorting games are great for improving focus and decision-making skills. Plus, they can lead to some interesting conversations about the items being sorted.
6. Animal Charades
Ready for some laughter? Animal charades is a hilarious twist on the classic game that’s perfect for dementia patients.
First, write down some simple animals on slips of paper. Dogs, cats, and birds are all good choices.
Players take turns picking a slip and acting out the animal while the other players try to guess what it is. The sillier the acting, the better!
Not only is this game great for memory and imagination, but it’s also a fun way to get everyone moving and laughing.
7. Sing-Alongs
Few things can lift the spirits like a good old-fashioned sing-along. For dementia patients, singing familiar songs can bring back happy memories and create a sense of connection.
Choose songs that are easy to sing and well-known, like old standards, folk songs, or hymns. Print out the lyrics or just sing from memory if everyone knows the words.
Take turns picking songs and don’t worry about hitting every note perfectly. The real joy comes from singing together and sharing in the moment.
8. Story Starters
Looking for a way to spark creativity and conversation? Story starters are a fantastic option for dementia patients.
To play, write some story starters on slips of paper. Phrases like “Once upon a time…” or “I’ll never forget the day…” work well.
Players take turns picking a slip and starting a story. Then, the next player adds to the story, and so on. The stories can be funny, heartfelt, or anything in between. The goal is to let your imaginations run wild and have fun together.
9. Hangman
If you’re looking for a classic word game that’s great for dementia patients, give Hangman a try. It’s a fun way to improve spelling and vocabulary skills.
Think of a simple word or phrase and draw a blank line for each letter on a piece of paper. Players take turns guessing letters. If the letter is in the word, write it in the right spot. If not, start drawing the hangman.
The game continues until the word is guessed or the hangman is complete. Then, start a new round with a different word.
10. Word Associations
Here’s a game that’s great for memory and language skills: Word Associations. The best part? You can play it anywhere, anytime.
To start, say a random word out loud. Then, players take turns saying a word that’s related to the last one. For example, if the first word is “dog,” the next player might say “leash.” The next player could say “walk,” and so on.
The game keeps going until someone can’t think of a word. Then, start over with a new word. Word Associations is a great way to start conversations, spark memories, and pass the time.
11. I Spy
Remember playing I Spy as a kid? Turns out, it’s also a great game for dementia patients. It helps improve focus and observation skills.
To play, start by saying “I spy with my little eye something…” and then name a color or a trait of an object in the room. For example, you might say “I spy with my little eye something blue.”
Players then take turns guessing what the object is. Whoever guesses correctly gets to be the next “spy.” Keep playing until everyone has had a turn or you’ve run out of objects to spy.
This game is perfect because it can be played anywhere and it’s a great way to start conversations about the objects around you.
12. Simon Says
If you’re looking for a game that gets everyone moving and laughing, try Simon Says. It’s a classic game that’s great for dementia patients because it helps with focus and following directions.
To play, one person is “Simon.” They give instructions like “Simon says touch your toes” or “Simon says clap your hands.” The catch is that players must only follow the instructions if they start with “Simon says.”
If Simon gives an instruction without saying “Simon says,” players must not do it. If a player does the action when they shouldn’t have, they’re out. The last player standing wins and gets to be the next Simon.
13. 20 Questions
Here’s a fun guessing game that’s perfect for dementia patients: 20 Questions. It’s a great way to improve memory and problem-solving skills.
To start, one player thinks of a person, place, or thing. The other players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to try to guess what it is. For example, they might ask “Is it alive?” or “Can you eat it?”
The player who thought of the item can only answer “yes” or “no.” Keep asking questions until someone guesses the item or you’ve asked 20 questions. Then, start a new round with a different item.
This game is a fantastic way to start conversations, use deduction skills, and learn more about each other’s interests.
14. Would You Rather
Looking for a conversation starter that’s both fun and thought-provoking? Try Would You Rather. This game is perfect for dementia patients because it helps with decision-making and self-expression.
To play, ask players a “would you rather” question with two choices. For example, “Would you rather have a magic carpet or a flying car?” Players take turns answering the question and explaining their choice.
Encourage players to be creative and have fun with their answers. Keep going until everyone has had a chance to answer a few questions, then start over with new ones.
Would You Rather is a great way to spark lively discussions, learn more about each other’s preferences, and pass the time.
15. Alphabet Games
Last but not least, alphabet games are a fantastic way to keep the mind active and engaged. And the best part? There are so many different ways to play.
One simple version is to pick a category, like animals or foods. Then, players take turns naming items in that category that start with each letter of the alphabet. For example, if the category is animals, players might say “Ant, Bear, Cat, Dog…” and so on until they get to Z.
Another fun version is to pick a letter and see how many words players can think of that start with that letter. Keep going until someone can’t think of any more words.
These games are great for exercising memory and language skills, and they can also lead to some pretty interesting conversations.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it! 15 fun and engaging game ideas for dementia patients. Remember, the most important thing is to have a good time and enjoy each other’s company.
So, pick a game that sounds like fun and give it a whirl. You might be surprised at how much you both enjoy it. And if one game doesn’t quite hit the mark, no worries! Just try another one.
Keep exploring until you find a few games that you both really love. Playing games is a wonderful way to bond with dementia patients, keep their minds active, and create some happy new memories together.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start playing! Your loved one will be so glad you did.