Dementia Activity: The Sorting Game

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The Sorting Game Can Keep Dementia Patients Busy!

I follow a lot of dementia boards on Facebook. Although my own mom didn’t have dementia, my grandmother and aunts did.

One of the biggest problems when one is caring for a dementia patient is occupying their time. You can try twiddle cuffs, or a baby doll, or some easy games but, really, not all people with Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, or any other dementia may not be able to participate.

That’s where sorting games come into play (pun fully intended…).

Not only are sorting games wonderful ways to engage the hands (and, thus, the brain), but sorting also makes the person feel like the are accomplishing something – a great feeling for anyone.

The below article is the result of me exploring some fun sorting options to do.

And, if you have ideas of your own, please leave me a comment so I can add them to this ever-evolving article.

Note: Some of the below sorting activities might be too difficult for those with fine motor skill issues. Monitor the activity and stop if it becomes frustrating to your dementia friend.

And, finally – Please understand that dementia patients are not being intentionally difficult. It’s the disease, not your loved one talking and acting differently than expected.

Remember to step into their world and play along as they can no longer come back to ours. Be kind. Be gentle. Be loving.

Sorting Game: Sort Socks!

Socks are inexpensive and fun to sort. Provide them in a small laundry basket as though they were freshly washed. Almost everyone can do this activity! Pick socks that have unusual patterns or texture for the most immersive experience.

If your dementia patient is able, ask them to ball them into pairs. And, never correct them!

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Sort Clothes Pins

Sit your loved one at a large table to sort clothes pins into separate piles. Dementia patients LOVE this kind of thing. It’s best to monitor this activity as it might be frustrating to some who don’t quite grasp the idea. Help out as needed.

Sorting clothes pins is a particularly good activity as it engages the brain in recognizing color, size, and type of fastener.

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Sort Itty Bitty Toys

Note: IF your dementia friend has problems with motor skills, these teeny toys might be too difficult for this activity. Match the ability to the activity!

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Sort Screws, etc

For this sorting game, if your dementia patient was a tool lover back in the day, set them up at a table with a variety of screws, nuts, and bolts. Ask them to help you out by sorting items in piles.

Note: Start off slow with just a few types of screws to sort or you might have a mess on your hands.

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