Activities for people with dementia should always be created with an aim to improve their social, emotional and spiritual well-being, and to help them blossom and grow. They should not be about providing meaningless tasks or activity for the sake of distraction, nor for providing 'busy' work.

Meaningful activities are created to tap into a person's past skills, memories and interests. These do not have to always be structured but do need to stimulate the senses and encourage participation, boost self-esteem and fulfil one or all of our five universal emotional needs.

Activities and therapies may range from doll therapy, aromatherapy, story telling, gardening, cooking, music therapy, exercise, art or specially designed activity programs. They may involve dance, movement, colour, walking or quiet time in conversation. The true focus is not about the activity itself but the quality and joy of the interaction.