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Creative crafts can have a positive effect on those suffering from dementia. Crafting helps them focus their mind as well as giving them a sense of purpose and achievement.
There is a huge range of crafts available for those suffering with dementia, but here are just a few of our favourites:
Paper flower making
This is a perfect craft for those suffering from dementia, it is quite simple but rewarding and can produce a really bright and cheerful display for the home.
You can use a variety of papers and cards from crepe paper to much stiffer board to create the flowers. We would suggest creating a cardboard template for the dementia sufferer to use along with stems that again can be created from a variety of material including pipe-cleaners and floristry wire.
Creative colouring
There is a wide range of colouring books available for both adults and children. You can judge what level of creativity will suit your loved one best. Also, the choice of medium is your choice from pencils, coloured pens or even pencil crayons.
It’s a really nice idea to cut the best pictures out and keep them around the home to remind the person how creative they are, or even frame them and give them as gifts to family members.
Jigsaw puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to stimulate the brain. We suggest having a jigsaw puzzle in the house at all times. It is a great craft that you can do with your loved one or they can do alone.
Depending on how advanced the dementia is will normally dictate the number of puzzle pieces you should consider. Do not over-tax the person with a huge puzzle with hundreds of pieces. You will also find as the condition advances you may have to reduce the size of the puzzle over time.
Homemade cards
Handmade cards are fantastic for any occasion. You may need to give your loved one some help with the template but cutting out the shapes and sticking them to the card is great for hand-eye coordination and will give them a huge sense of achievement.
This type of craft is great for self-expression and you may find it helps reduce anxiety and fidgeting in the sufferer.
Painted stone and shell craft
This is a great and inexpensive craft to do with your loved one. Beach pebbles and shells can be used to create a variety of different ornaments for the home and painting them makes them more personal.
Always ensure the stones and shells are well-washed before starting to paint. Acrylic paint is the best to use and can be found in many high-street stores these days.
One of our favourites is to use the shells to create a lovely wind-chime, which can be made using pieces of wood or twigs and garden string. You can drill or punch a small hole in the shells and then loop them through the string.
Colours and decorations can be as varied as you want and as with handmade card making it is a great craft for self-expression.
