Easter Crafts - Wisteria House Dementia Care

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The Best Spring Crafts for Dementia

If you’re looking for some new and interesting ways to help stimulate and entertain someone who is suffering from dementia, we can help. Finding new activities, especially ones that enable them to get creative, can be incredibly beneficial- particularly for their brain stimulation, fine motor skills and emotional well-being. Here we’ve come up with some ideas for Spring crafts for dementia patients.

We asked our caring staff across our care homes in Plymouth to give their opinion, and they've given us a variety of activities that help to engage loved ones both mentally and socially. By providing them with the Spring theme, you’ll also be helping them to stay connected with the present whilst immersing themselves in an enjoyable activity that reaps so many rewards.

Spring Seasonal Scrapbook

Our first suggestion for Spring crafts for dementia patients is the timeless scrapbook. We’d suggest collating your basic materials first - an empty scrapbook, a selection of spring-themed photographs or cut outs and even some stickers. By using photographs and images you can help trigger memories and encourage conversation. Help them select their images and clippings before organising them to create a personalised scrapbook that will bring hours of enjoyment. We’d recommend using child-safe scissors to make it safe as well as enjoyable. By incorporating elements like cutting, gluing and writing, you’ll be helping to enhance their motor skills whilst also having a meaningful keepsake for them to hold tight.

Decorative Magnets

Another of our suggested Spring crafts for dementia patients is to create decorative magnets for them to have on display - helping them by creating a memento that offers comfort and familiarity over time. You can purchase some plain magnets to decorate however they like. You could incorporate paint and small decorations to personalise as they choose. This helps to encourage creativity and provide an expressive activity. Activities like painting utilises repetitive movements that help to reduce stress and enhance their focus. We’d suggest using non-toxic and easy-to-handle paints to keep everyone safe during their creative session.

Bookmarks

Creating bookmarks is a really simple way to create a crafts session with items that you’ll often have at home. Using some cardboard, coloured markers and cuts of ribbon, dementia patients can decorate their bookmark at their leisure. As their carer, you might opt to pre-cut the cardboard if you think it best to avoid using sharp objects. Or, use child-safe scissors to engage their fine motor skills. Between improving dexterity and promoting concentration, the reward of Spring crafts for dementia patients, like bookmark making, are multifaceted - including the possibility of creating a meaningful gift for a loved one.

Painted-Bead Necklaces

One of our favourite Spring crafts for dementia patients is to create painted-bead necklaces. Using wooden beads, non-toxic paint, ribbon or string, you can help the patient to create something really special. Begin by painting the beads, which will help enhance their dexterity. Then, once dry, string the coloured beads together to make necklaces. The simple act of painting and arranging the beads allows for artistic expression, as well as giving them a confidence boost and sense of accomplishment seeing what they’ve created. Just make sure to provide supervision throughout the activity as small objects like beads could become a choking hazard.

Paper Flowers

Our final recommendation of Spring crafts for dementia patient's is to create beautiful, paper flowers together. Simply gather together a selection of coloured tissue paper, pipe cleaners and glue to get started on your craft session. You might choose to cut the tissue paper beforehand if you’d prefer to limit scissor use. Once you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to get creative. Fold the tissue paper into various flower shapes, all whilst supporting the patients hand-eye coordination. Then, attach the colourful flower shapes to the pipe cleaners which act as stems. If held in a group setting, this relaxing craft session can also help to foster interaction as well as providing a cheerful decoration at the end.

Making Crafts Safe for Dementia Patients

Exploring Spring crafts for dementia patients needn’t be seen as a challenge, provided you consider the safety measures beforehand. There are plenty of ways to ensure whichever activity you choose, that everyone can have a great time without any hazards. These are the top points you’ll want to consider when planning your crafting session:

- Supervision: To keep the session enjoyable, always supervise the patient to ensure safe use of tools and materials.

- Non-toxic materials: Wherever possible, stick to safe, non-toxic items to give you peace of mind.

- Accessibility: Be sure to opt for easy to handle materials and make adjustments depending on the patient’s abilities.

- Safe environment: Make sure to keep the craft space clean, free of clutter and distractions to avoid any accidents.

How Wisteria House Dementia Care Can Help

At Wisteria House Dementia Care, we provide a supportive environment for dementia patients to enjoy crafts and other activities, no matter which of our three care homes they’re in. As part of our care, we also aim to encourage residents to make their own choices to help promote their independence and dignity. Our facilities are designed for patients at varying stages of dementia so you can rest assured that our carers are well equipped to assist and support each person.

We also realise how important it is for you, as the carer, to create and prioritise quality time for yourself - so that you can show up for your patient well rested and ready to offer support. That’s why we offer and encourage our respite care services, so that you can have a well-earned break whenever you need. Whilst in our care, you can be assured that no matter what your loved one is doing, they will be well cared for in a safe and supportive space whilst also giving them an opportunity to socialise and experience new environments.

As we’ve learned, spring crafts for dementia patients are incredibly beneficial - besides creating a fun and creative pastime, they’ll be left with something lovely to keep, whilst helping build on some of their core skills. If you’re interested to learn more about how we can support you as well as our dementia patients, please do get in touch. Happy crafting!

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