How Caregivers Can Keep People With Dementia Engaged

Over time, her family noticed she became more engaged and expressive. Her interest in cooking began to resurface, eventually leading her to take an active role in preparing Thanksgiving dinner with her family. “Sometimes the key is creating the right environment to help bring those abilities forward again,” says Potts, coauthor of A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver.

A small study published in Neurology found that the eight-week program also benefits family caregivers. While participants with dementia took part in weekly art therapy sessions, caregivers received a break from caregiving responsibilities. The caregivers reported reductions in depression and negative emotions, such as stress and frustration, after the program. Positive feelings remained about the same.

“Although the improvements were modest and the study included only a handful of caregivers, the findings suggest that combining respite care with creative activities for people with dementia may help ease some of the emotional burden caregivers experience,” says Potts.

Turning a dementia diagnosis into a purposeful life

When Walter “Wally” Cox was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a decade ago, he and his wife, Pat, were told to expect a steady decline and limited time before needing full-time care. Instead, the couple chose to take a different path — one centered on engagement and purpose.

“Very often when someone is diagnosed with dementia, they withdraw and isolate,” says Pat. “So we made a very intentional choice to reach out and build more connections.” That decision led them to support groups and advocacy organizations, including Dementia Alliance International and Dementia Action Alliance, where Wally eventually became a leader, hosting online meetings, mentoring newly diagnosed individuals and sharing his lived experience.

Pat has also focused on keeping Wally engaged at home and in daily life, encouraging creative pursuits like painting and pottery and maintaining routines that keep him connected to others. Their dog, Tucker, plays an unexpected but important role as well, providing structure and daily motivation.

Wally describes the shift simply: “It’s become my hobby more than anything else — sharing my story and hearing other people’s stories has been incredibly meaningful.”

For the Coxes, the philosophy is straightforward: Dementia has changed life, but it has not ended purpose. “We focus on what Wally can still do, not what he can’t,” Pat says.

Tuning in to music activities

For Karen Sharpe, music has become far more than entertainment; it is a powerful tool for helping her wife, Kathleen Danforth, stay engaged, connected and grounded as she lives with vascular dementia. Danforth, a retired chaplain and lifelong music lover, has long associated songs with important memories. Years ago, when helping her daughter learn to spell, she created simple songs to teach difficult words. Today, those same tunes can instantly spark recollections of family moments from decades ago. Sharpe says that if she starts singing the first line of one of those songs, Danforth can often finish the entire tune and then begin reminiscing about experiences with her daughter.

As Danforth’s dementia has progressed, Sharpe has woven music into their daily routine. Whether listening to 1960s rock-and-roll in the car or participating in a weekly mindful art program that combines singing and creative activities, music provides a sense of familiarity and joy. “Music reaches parts of Kathleen that dementia hasn’t touched,” explains Sharpe. “A song can bring back stories, memories and emotions that seem inaccessible at other times. When she’s singing, I see more of the woman I’ve known and loved for 43 years.”

Jonathan and Holly make weekly visits to the Rocking Horse Rehab therapeutic riding program in Basking Ridge, NJ.

Carolyn Van Houten

Eight practical ways to maintain engagement

For families caring for someone with dementia, engagement is about much more than staying busy. The key is finding activities that reflect the person’s interests and life experiences. Here are eight ways to promote engagement.

1. Reconnect with lifelong passions. Activities linked to hobbies, careers or interests developed over decades often remain accessible even as dementia progresses. Someone who loved gardening may still enjoy planting flowers, while a retired teacher might find purpose reading to children or helping grandchildren with homework. Familiar activities tap into well-established brain pathways that can remain intact longer. Jonathan Strelzik has enjoyed horseback riding for many years and looks forward to visiting the stable every week. “That horse gives him unconditional love,” says Holly Strelzik.

2. Create opportunities for social connection. Regular visits with friends and family, support groups, community programs or volunteer opportunities can help combat loneliness. Even brief social interactions can provide a sense of belonging and purpose. “We have found that Wally is far better off when he is around people because it gives him purpose and lifts his spirits,” says Pat Cox.

3. Encourage movement and exercise. Walking, dancing, swimming, chair exercises, tai chi and other physical activities support overall health while helping maintain mobility and independence. Physical activity can also improve sleep, reduce agitation and boost mood. Weekly dancing lessons started as a way for Holly Strelzik to express herself, but, she says, “Once Jonathan learned about the lessons, we started going together, and now it’s something we share.” 

4. Try creative activities. Painting, drawing, pottery, photography, knitting, woodworking and other artistic pursuits allow people to express themselves without relying heavily on memory or language. Creative projects also provide a tangible product that can foster pride and a sense of accomplishment, says Potts: “Creativity gives people with dementia a way to communicate when words become more difficult. Through art and music, they can still share experiences that might otherwise remain locked inside.”

5. Explore new places together. Visits to museums, botanical gardens, parks, farmers markets and scenic drives can provide gentle stimulation and opportunities for conversation. New experiences can be especially meaningful when paired with familiar routines. “We used to go out and explore nature and museums regularly,” says Holly Strelzik. “Slowly, as the dementia has progressed, we go out less often, but continuing to have experiences together remains important."

6. Use music to unlock memories and emotions. Listening to favorite songs, singing, dancing or playing an instrument can stimulate parts of the brain that often remain preserved despite cognitive decline. Music can improve mood, reduce anxiety and spark meaningful memories and conversations. “Music has become our anchor,” says Sharpe. “When Kathleen hears a familiar song, she’s not just remembering it; she’s stepping back into moments from her life.”

7. Use pets as companions and motivators. Caring for a pet or simply spending time with animals can reduce stress and encourage activity. Walking a dog, brushing a pet or visiting therapy animals can provide comfort, routine and emotional connection. Wally credits Tucker, the Coxes’ 6-year-old Australian shepherd, with helping keep him active and engaged. The energetic dog demands daily walks, playtime, and attention — providing both companionship and a reason to keep moving. “Tucker is my best friend,” says Wally.

8. Build activities around personal memories. Looking through photo albums, creating memory books, discussing family stories or visiting meaningful locations can help stimulate conversation and reinforce a person’s sense of identity. Experts note that reminiscence activities often evoke positive emotions even when specific details are forgotten.