Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and connection, and for those caring for loved ones living with dementia, it’s an opportunity to create cherished moments through meaningful activities. As the disease progresses, those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia may have a harder time expressing themselves or remembering certain details about this holiday or traditions but they can still feel the warmth their loved ones share when they visit.
While the journey with dementia may present unique challenges, there are countless ways to honor and enjoy the bond shared with those we hold dear. This Valentine’s Day, let’s explore a range of heartfelt activities designed to engage, uplift, and celebrate the enduring love that transcends memory.
Valentine’s Day Activites
Create Handmade Valentine’s Day Cards
Card making and giving is a great way to show how much we care. Let the creativity flow as you have fun with your loved ones! Remember, patience is key and you may need to adjust the supplies you use to fit the circumstances. Some ideas for card-making supplies include:
- Cut out or purchase heart-shaped pieces of paper for your loved one to color and write on
- Use stamps or stickers to decorate your Valentine’s Day Card
- Use non-toxic finger paint and heart-shaped sponges to create a unique, custom card
Valentine’s Day Themed Sensory Bags
These bags are easy to make and can be a great way to engage your loved one with a relaxing sensory activity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ziplock or sealable bag
- Water beads, hair gel, or shaving cream
- Food coloring (optional)
- Duct table (you can do red or pink to fit the theme!)
- Small valentines day themed objects to fill the bag. Avoid sharper objects as they can tear through the plastic. Many craft stores carry a variety of Valentine’s Day and heart-themed items such as buttons, plastic flowers, beads, glitter, sponges, and more.
Once you have all of the items you need, tape all the sides (except the opening) with duct tape to ensure the seal at the end. Next, fill the bag with gel, beads or shaving cream. Once filled, you and your loved one can decide what decorations you want to go into the bag and if you want to color the gel inside or not. To finish, you’ll squeeze all the air out and seal the bag shut with duct tape.
Enjoy Familiar Music & Look at old photos
Nostalgia is more than just a feeling, it can be a great part of a memory care routine. Though your loved one may not remember recent years, it can be heartwarming to those living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia to revisit old photos. Paging through old albums can help reignite treasured memories and inspire stories they want to share of the past.
Have a Movie Party
Similar to looking at old photos, watching old favorite films can be a great way to connect with your loved one. Whether it’s an old western or a musical they always loved, old favorites can provide entertainment and memory stimulation. So grab some blankets and your favorite snack (maybe some heart-shaped candy and popcorn this time around!) and enjoy the show with your loved one!
*Some things to keep in mind when choosing a movie are to pick something with a simple plot, limited violence, no displays of serious illness or death, a length of under 2 hours and something fun and uplifting!
Enjoy a “Hearty” Meal Together
Bring over breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a loving twist. Many foods can be manipulated into the shape of a heart. Your local bakery may be offering heart-shaped cookies or donuts. You can also bring over a heart-shaped pizza or heart-shaped pancakes and enjoy a Valentine’s Day themed meal together.
Arrange a Flower Bouquet
Brighten up your day and the room by making Valentine’s Day bouquets. For this simple project, you can use fake flowers or real ones for the added sensory bonus of the flower’s scent. Simply gather the flowers and arrange them together in vases or trim the stems shorts and stick them into styrofoam blocks to hold them in place. Just make sure that the flowers you purchase are non-toxic, to ensure everyone stays safe!
Create a Suprise Swirl Cake
You can’t go wrong with this activity! You can place the batter however you want and you’ll have a colorful cake in the end! Using a special “pink camouflage cake mix” or food coloring and vanilla cake, you can create a batter that fits the theme of Valentine’s Day. Then place, swirl or splat the batter any way you choose and bake! This activity is great because your loved one can help with a variety of steps depending on where they are at on their journey with dementia. Activities like stirring, frosting, or shaking sprinkles are easier than measuring ingredients. Plus, it stimulates the sense of taste!
Stay Flexible
It’s okay if things don’t go exactly as you planned. This day is about spending time with the ones you love, the activities are just a bonus. Depending on the circumstances or type of day your loved one is having, plans may need to change accordingly.
Valentine’s Day can be an emotional and difficult time of year for those facing Alzheimer’s and dementia, and love and affection but with some planning and preparation, it can still be a special day to look forward to with special people.
No one should have to do this alone. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia can often involve a team of people. Whether you provide daily caregiving, participate in decision-making, or simply care about a person with the disease, you deserve some rest and time for yourself. And we are here to help you navigate this journey. Call our helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or visit us online at alz.org/alaska to learn more.
About the Alzheimer’s Association Alaska Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
In Alaska, we offer a variety of resources and opproutnties to get involved in the fight to end Alzheimer’s from The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Advocacy, The Longest Day, Community Education and more. Visit our website to learn more and keep up with the latest on Alzheimer’s in Alaska.
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