Easter is always an enjoyable time of year. As well as people getting time off to celebrate, spring is in the air, the weather starts to pick up and everyone is just that little bit happier.
For loved ones who suffer with various conditions, such as dementia, the winter can be a really difficult period on a person’s mental health and while it’s important to look after them during that period, it also can be following that as Easter creeps up.
Whether your loved one is in specialised dementia care or you or a loved one are caring for them from home, crafting during this period can be so much fun. In fact, it’s something that many care homes engage their residents with during periods like Christmas and Easter. If that sounds like a fun afternoon to enjoy with a loved one who is suffering from dementia, here are five Easter crafting activities everyone can enjoy…
Easter egg decoration
It’s a classic, and that’s for good reason. You may remember it from school but decorating hard boiled eggs can be both fun and let your creative streak run wild. It’s perfect for adapting to suit the abilities of each individual and you can use a wealth of materials from pipe cleaners to paper, pens and paints. What’s more, there’s absolutely no right or wrong way to do it.
Finish them off and you’ve got yourself a perfect centrepiece for your Easter decorations too.
Making Easter bonnets
Another Easter crafting activity that will be fondly remembered is Easter bonnet making. It’s another traditional task that can be so much fun.
For those living with dementia, it can actually be a good way to try and trigger memories, while also being enjoyable in the present. Encourage your loved one to use different materials, while you can also show them a few sources of inspiration to get them started. Whatever you decide to do, though, it’s another way to really let the creative juices flow. The fun continues after you’ve finished making them too, because then it’s time for the fashion show!
Create Easter cards
An activity that is both creative and thoughtful, creating Easter cards is also practical as you can then send them on to other loved ones to really share the love of the season.
All you need to do is set up a station with all the crafting equipment and you can set up a production line, personalising cards and even using it as a memory exercise.
It can be a brilliant way for a loved one living with dementia to do something meaningful and can create a real sense of self worth and purpose in them.
Craft Easter baskets
This is an especially hands on activity that can engage several senses, while creating something special for themselves in the process.
All you need to do is start them off with a basket and again provide them with plenty of materials, as well as items to put in the basket such as chocolate and Easter related items.
Once complete, they can use the basket as a decoration or gift it to loved ones. In the case of the former, it can be used throughout the year as a trigger for happy memories.
Paint Easter scenes
Finally, painting has long been proven to relax those living with dementia, so why not do that with an Easter theme?
It may be that you provide inspiration by decorating the room with eggs, bunnies, chicks and spring flowers, allowing loved ones to create colourful and vibrant compositions and really allow their imagination to flow. Similarly, you’ve then got a finished product to display and work as a memory trigger for many months and years to come.
OTS News on Social Media