Fun Family Activity

Looking for a fun activity for a family gathering, or just to pass the time alone with your loved one? Try playing "Name That Tune." Collect a good selection of songs the person with dementia would recognize, because they're favorites or were popular during the person's youth. Throw in some holiday classics, Broadway or musical show tunes, "Happy Birthday," or even hymns and nursery songs. (You can do this with a CD collection or a special playlist created on iTunes.) Start the first song and encourage everyone to guess it. You might forewarn the others to give the person with dementia a chance -- or you might be pleasantly surprised by how many musical memories leap quickly to mind. (This is also a great game to play with almost anyone who can play piano and has a repertoire of popular tunes.)