Creative Ways to Engage Older Participants

By Madeleine Martin
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
(Specialising in Older Participants) 

• Gardening – high raised garden beds for those who are unable to get on the ground or are high falls risk. A wheelchair/chair can be placed next to the garden bed to ensure that they can be involved. Benefits include boosts physical health, reduces stress, enhances memory, provides purpose, encourages socialising, and promotes healthy eating in older adults. 
• Audiobooks are a great option for older visually impaired people to be involved in “book club”. 
• Painting and Colouring provide an excellent opportunity for everyone to be involved including those with dementia and encourages self-expression. You don’t just have to paint canvas’s, try painting rocks and pots for your garden. 
• Cooking/Baking is a great activity for those who may be “sensory seeking” and its PICA safe (other than raw eggs). It can provide people with opportunities to make their childhood nostalgic recipes and share them with others. 
• Bocce ball is a gentle, social game where players roll balls to get closest to a target. It improves coordination, encourages movement, and promotes social interaction for older adults. 
• Toss games – this can include your traditional ring toss or a variation of it like the below “jumbo inflatable pizza toss game”. It helps older adults improve hand-eye coordination, balance, and focus, while promoting gentle movement, social interaction, and a sense of fun and achievement.