Adapt activity so it’s Dementia friendly
These resources will help you adapt activity to be dementia-friendly, so everyone may benefit from physical activity.
Physical activity reduces the effects of dementia, according to various studies. This can help someone living with dementia lead a healthier, and also a fuller lifestyle.
Social care staff can make use of the resources below. They will help you to develop and adapt activities so they are more inclusive for a person living with Dementia.
Please also visit our Resources section. This contains delivery guides for adapting activities such as Boccia and New Age Kurling. We also have an Activity & Health section which has a dedicated section on physical activity and Dementia.
This information and resources on this page come from the learnings from our Mobile Me project.
Dementia Care Mapping Observations
Dementia Care Mapping is used to create person-centred care. It involves continuously watching how people with Dementia behave, and the care they receive.
In partnership with the medical school at the University of East Anglia, we developed a study that used Dementia Care Mapping in a qualitative way. Using this method, we were able to monitor the effects of physical activity on people living with advanced stage Dementia.
Next, we worked with the UEA to produce the resources below. The aim of these resources is to share our learning with the social care community.
Staff can use these resources to improve their understanding of how physical activity benefits people living with Dementia. They can also feel more confident in adapting activities for people of all abilities. In particular, staff will be able to adapt physical activities for those living with advanced stage Dementia.
The video below reviews some of the key learnings from the project. One important takeaway was the importance of the instructor in delivering these activities. This showed that the instructor’s knowledge and skill in adapting activities is crucial. Conclusively, adapting the activities was shown to increase participants’ engagement and enjoyment of the activities.
Additional support to adapt activity
We also developed additional resources to support practitioners to adapt activities. These include a summary infographic, additional Dementia Care Mapping observations video, and also adapted exercise guides. You can access these resources below. Alternatively, if you need any help using them, get in touch with us.
Adapting Activity for Dementia Infographic (pdf, 1.79 MB)
We developed this infographic to highlight the key considerations when adapting activity for those living with Dementia
Download the infographic
Monitoring the Effects of Physical Activity on People Living with Dementia (pdf, 844.54 KB)
This case study illustrates the Dementia Care Mapping programme that was undertaken by the UEA Medical School as part of the Mobile Me project
View
Adapting Activities to be Dementia Friendly
We’ve created easy-to-use resources to help social care practitioners to adapt activities to be Dementia friendly. These adaptations also make activities suitable for participants of all abilities.
Access the Adapting Activities Guides
Additional Dementia Resources
Mobile Me Case Study
We worked closely with the University of East Anglia to develop these resources. Through the Mobile Me project we have contributed to the wider body of learning about how physical activity can be used to support the health of those living with moderate to advanced Dementia.
Mobile Me Findings
Learn about Mobile Me
Dementia-Friendly Walks
Access a Checklist to create your own
NorseCare Case Study
Learn about our work with NorseCareRyan Hughes
Strategic Lead – Older People
Ryan works with partners across a range of sectors to support the development of physical activity opportunities that help more older people to be active.