Old newspaper cuttings, diaries, letters of recognition or significant relationships and experiences, photo albums can be comforting when prompting remote memory. If reading skills have deteriorated, make individual audio tapes enabling a response to a calm, familiar carer's voice. Record from a favourite novel or prayer book, poem or music. Many benefit from a walkman and individual headphones. Suggestions include ice skating, ballroom or Celtic dancing, floral suite, bird suite, wilderness, rainforest, seashore and relaxation videos.
Recreation is related to former life style.
As this varies from one person to another, it is suggested that carers write out an activities care plan, if respite care will be provided by different carers. This will enable consistency of approach and care with ideas for recreation suited to the needs of the person with dementia. Recreation may include an adapted version of a game of cards, seeking answers together for crosswords, residual craft skills, collage, outings to the zoo, walking barefoot along the beach, visiting an art exhibition or taking a train trip. Metro and National Parks Association publication for ideas. Activities play a significant part in the prevention and intervention of challenging behaviours.