When someone is living with dementia, conversations can become more challenging. The person may have difficulty finding the right words, or the words they use may not always match what they want to say. This can be frustrating and sometimes create a feeling of shame for the person living with dementia.
You may also notice that the person repeats the same question many times, or brings up topics you may not want to discuss. Over time, these communication challenges can make visits feel more difficult. You might start wondering whether your visits still make sense. After all, if conversation becomes hard, how can you still connect with the person?
This is an important question. As dementia progresses — and sometimes even early in the disease — it becomes harder to rely on conversation as the main way of connecting. Instead, it can be helpful to find other ways to share meaningful moments together.
One activity that has worked very well in my experience is playing basketball. It may sound surprising at first, but it can be a simple and enjoyable way to engage with someone living with dementia. With a few adaptations, this activity can work across many stages of the disease.
In this blog post, I’ll share a few ways you can adapt the game to make it accessible for your loved one.
Early Stages of Dementia
In the early stages of dementia, if the person is active and curious, introducing the activity can be quite simple. You can bring the game to their attention and see whether they show interest.
Sometimes the person may not seem interested right away. In that case, you can start playing yourself and invite them in a playful way. For example, you might say:
"I’m not very good at this. Do you think you can do better than me?"
You could also turn it into a lighthearted challenge, such as:
"The first person to make three baskets wins a piece of chocolate!"
If the person refuses to play, that’s completely fine. You might respond by saying something like:
"That’s alright. I’m going to keep playing for a little while because I’m enjoying it. If you change your mind, you can join me."
If they ask you to stop playing because the noise bothers them, simply let it go and try another activity or another day.
Adapting the Activity as Dementia Progresses
As dementia progresses, the activity may need some adjustments.
One important adaptation relates to vision. Changes in visual perception can occur with dementia, so it is important to make sure the person clearly sees both the basket and the ball. Try to place both objects within the person’s visual field.
Once you know your loved one can see the basket and the ball, you can offer them the ball. Sometimes the person will start playing right away. Other times they may need additional cues to understand the goal of the activity.
For example, the person might briefly try to eat the ball because they misinterpret what it is. When this happens, it does not mean the activity cannot work. It may simply mean that the person needs more guidance.
In this situation, you can demonstrate the activity yourself. Make sure the person can see both the ball and the basket, and show them the goal of the game. Instead of throwing the ball, you can slowly place it in the basket a few times while saying something simple such as:
"The ball goes in the basket."
Once it seems that your loved one has understood the idea, you can offer them the ball and see what they do.
It is also important to remember that processing time may be slower. When the person has the ball in their hand, give them time. Their brain needs to process the situation, decide on the movement, and send the signal to the muscles. This can take longer than it used to.
Guiding the Movement
If the activity still feels too challenging, you can offer more physical guidance.
One way to do this is to place the person’s hand over your wrist and perform the movement together. This allows them to feel the motion of placing or throwing the ball into the basket.
After doing this a few times, you can give the ball back to your loved one and see whether they try the movement independently.
If they prefer to keep playing with their hand on your wrist, that is also perfectly fine. Even when the movement is shared, the activity can still create a meaningful moment of connection.
Watch the Video
In the video below, I demonstrate how I have used this activity with people living with dementia at different stages.
Your Experience Matters
Every person living with dementia is unique. What works well for one person may not work for another.
If you have tried sports or playful activities with your loved one, your experience may help other caregivers discover new ways to connect. Feel free to share what has worked for you.
Did you enjoy the post? Let me know by rating it.
Your feedback will guide me for future blog posts.
Disclaimer
This article offers ideas to support well-being for people living with dementia and their care partners. Please remember that every person is different. Adapt suggestions to your loved one’s abilities and consult healthcare professionals if you are unsure about safety or medical concerns. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice or care planning.
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