• Baking provides many benefits to a person with dementia.CUTTING COOKIES image by SKYDIVECOP from Fotolia.com
  
  Dementia is not minor forgetfulness. While memory loss occurs in dementia, other symptoms include a decrease in motor skills, difficulty organizing thoughts and differences in behavior and personality. Accurate diagnosis is essential as some cases of dementia are treatable while some, such as Alzheimer's, progressively worsen.
  
  Meaningful activities contribute to the dementia patient's quality of life, although a person's ability to participate may vary from day to day.
  
  

Cooking

• Baking or cooking can be a wonderful opportunity for family interaction. Participation promotes a sense of belonging and accomplishment. The process offers a wide variety of sensory stimulation such as sight, touch and smell.
  
  Provide a clean work area, free of clutter and distractions. Consider the person's preferences when choosing your recipe. A favorite cookie or casserole will promote interest. Break down recipe into easy steps. Consider safety before assigning tasks. For example, stirring a batter may be more appropriate than chopping vegetables. Assign tasks one at a time. Be patient. Timeliness and neatness are not important. Only interrupt if safety is an issue.
  
  Make the activity a celebration. Encourage participation in the entire process, including setting the table and clean up. Remember to compliment the chef.
  
  

Stringing

• Stringing is a craft that can be adapted to many interests and capabilities. Its simplicity promotes success and helps the individual practice hand and eye coordination.
  
  People in the early stages of dementia may be able to manipulate smaller beads, sort colors and develop patterns. Keep materials simple, but age appropriate. Too many choices can be overwhelming. Thread string onto a blunt needle and secure the end with a bead. Demonstrate how to thread the bead onto the string. Encourage the person to participate.
  
  An outdoor enthusiast may enjoy making a treat for the birds. Cut off a piece of twine. Secure the end with a piece of cereal. Demonstrate how to string cereal onto the twine. Encourage participation. Hang completed chain from a tree for the birds to enjoy.
  
  This activity can be adapted as the dementia progresses. Wooden beads are easier to manipulate and can be strung on a shoe string.
  
  

Name that Tune

• Music plays an important part in the lives of many people. Certain songs trigger memories perfect for reminiscing. Name that Tune is a wonderful tool to interact with a person with dementia. It also exercises the mind.
  
  A person with dementia may not be able to remember your name, but may be able to recite the lyrics of a favorite song. Before beginning the game, make sure your play-list is era appropriate.
  
  A piano or keyboard works well for this activity, but a CD or tape is fine. Play the melody of the song. Check the person's response. Note if he is smiling or tapping his foot. Ask if he knows the name of the song. If necessary, provide a word or two, or give other hints to prompt his memory. If he can not remember, congratulate him for his participation. There is no winning or losing.