Memory Cafe Activity Ideas

Have name tags when people arrive – first name only in LARGE LETTERS! [DICK & JANE are our name tag ambassadors!]
At name tag table, have a placard that shares the Question of the Day
- some great discussion-starters @ (Ask a Beautiful Question)
- have the question written on a sheet of paper at the name tag station and pass the paper around the table as people answer so they can refer to the way it’s worded
- July ( Aug (best trip?); Sept (What is a Treasured Item in Your Home?); Oct (favorite meal of the day?);
Stretch the Body – some examples include:
- Warm up for Seniors (yes2next) – 7 minutes
- Chair Exercises (yes2next) – 11 minutes
MAJOR ACTIVITY – see below for some ideas
Closing Song(s) including suggested motions by participants
- If You’re Happy and You Know It
- You Are My Sunshine
- The More We Get Together
- Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
- BINGO
- This Old Man

MAJOR ACTIVITIES – TAKING 20-40 MINUTES?

CRAFT IDEAS
- Stamping
- Painting a wooden item (like a picture frame)
- Color a coloring book picture you can then discuss with the group
- Color by number
- Painting Leaves (Deb/Toni – September)
- Watercolors (Toni – October)
- Collage
  - introducing them to the group
  - feelings
  - emotions from a song
Bring in a service dog and talk to the group? (Large group)
- Steph, once she and Phoenix have completed the training
Sing-along
- Include simple actions
- Include collage activity after doing a song periodically
- See Singing for the Brain for some thoughts on songs to include
- 10 good songs for those with dementia
- Here’s a song listing from a quick Google Search
- Medley one-pagers
  - Let Me Call You Sweetheart; In the Good ‘ol Summertime; Bicycle Built for Two; America the Beautiful
  - I Wanna Hold Your Hand;
  - Fly Me to the Moon; Crazy; King of the Road;
  - This Land is Your Land;
Strength & Balance with George
Playing a game(s) – key factor is the ease with which the care partner can jump in and help out!
- Left, Center, Right – set a timer for 20 minutes? (August ’21)
- Simple Dominoes
- BINGO – no money involved here… 🙂
- UNO
- “Go Fish” card game
- other possible games HERE

Steve Long