• Practical creative tools to start using now 
• Abundantly illustrated directions for activities 
• Overflowing with easy to apply creative ideas 

This book is for those working in 

- residential care 

- day care 

- at home 

who seek creative solutions to improving the wellbeing of people living with dementia. It is suitable for those with limited experience, including family members, because the suggestions are practical and focus on what can be achieved; and for more experienced practitioners by offering opportunities to communicate more imaginatively and effectively. Each of these ideas has been successfully applied across a full range of dementia care situations. 

1 Elements of a Creative Approach

A Creative Approach

Taking a step towards their world

The person with dementia

About You

Bringing yourself along

Being there

Reflection

2 Getting Started

Purpose and characteristics of activities

Staying involved

Activity grading

Creative thinking

Activity basics

Materials and tools

3 Creating Your Own Activities

Introduction to the activities section

Home and Companionship

Creating a sense of home

Special everyday moments

Cooking, food and eating

Working, Playing and Creating Together

Making something for/with

Games and play

Their story, history

Collaborative creative writing

Advanced stages

'Holding', and physical objects

Start where they are

Witnessing

4 100 Activities Handbook

Introduction

No Cost, Low Cost Activities

No cost, low cost activities and play

To make for the room

Activities based on former professions

Letters, Books and Words

Poetry writing

Making simple books

Books for you

Letters and handwriting

Drawing and Collage

Drawing as visual communication

Collage and assemblage

Mandalas

Advanced Dementia

Holding

Activities based on gestures

5 Closing Thoughts

Art in dementia care

Mini-guides

Activities list

Bibliography

Resources

Credits, Acknowledgements, About the author, By the same author