The National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) offers some helpful guidance for unpaid and professional carers on supporting people to live well with dementia, both at home and in a care setting.

Living well with dementia is about far more than receiving care – it’s about connection, purpose and joy.
Every person’s history, abilities, and preferences are unique, and so too should the activities that support them.

The NAPA Standards of Practice emphasise that meaningful engagement is not a “one-size-fits-all” programme; it is a dynamic, responsive process rooted in the individual’s life story, current interests, and strengths.

Activities should be adaptable, inclusive, and purposeful, with outcomes that nurture wellbeing and identity.

This guide offers practical, evidence-informed examples of activities that can be implemented both at home and in residential care settings.

Each activity is mapped to the relevant NAPA Standard(s), includes tips for safe delivery, considers potential risks, and outlines intended outcomes.

The aim is to provide care partners and activity providers with inspiration and a flexible framework to create opportunities that are enjoyable, achievable, and meaningful for each person, every day, in every setting.

Here are our top 11 activities to consider:

1: Identity Boxes
The Science: Reminiscence supports identity and reduces anxiety (Kitwood, 1997).

How to implement:

At Home
Fill a box with photos, fabrics, keepsakes, or scents.

Care Settings
Use 1:1 time to explore the box, letting the person guide the pace

Risk Considerations: Avoid fragile, sharp, or choking-hazard items; check scents for allergies.
Outcomes: Increased sense of self, reduced anxiety, enhanced emotional security.

Mapped to: Standard 1 – Providing Activity and Engagement (Person-Centred Quality Provision)

 

2. Storytelling with Soundscapes

The Science: Life stories paired with evocative sounds can enhance mood and self-

expression (Woods et al., 2005).

How to implement:

At Home
Pair a memory with sound effects (e.g., seaside waves).

Care Settings
Host themed storytelling sessions with relevant background sounds.

Risk Considerations: Keep volume comfortable; avoid sounds that may cause distress.

Outcomes: Boosted mood, stimulated memory recall, opportunities for verbal or non-verbal expression.

Mapped to: Standard 2 – Engaging Individuals in Decision-Making; Standard 3 –Strategies to Encourage Active Participation

 

3. Multicultural Sensory Days

Science: Multisensory stimulation strengthens connections to culture and community.

How to implement:

At Home
Cook traditional dishes, play familiar music, and decorate with cultural colours.

Care Settings
Create sensory stations for touch, smell, sight, and sound linked to different cultures.

Risk Considerations: Screen for allergies; ensure safe display materials.

Outcomes: Increased sense of belonging, celebration of identity, positive emotional responses.

Mapped to: Enhanced Quality Indicator 7 – Adaptability and Inclusivity; Standard 2 – Engaging Individuals in Decision-Making

 

4. Global Drumming Circles

The Science: Rhythm can engage people across abilities and improve mood.

How to implement:

At Home
Tap along to music using safe household items.

Care Settings

Offer large, accessible drums and percussion.

Risk Considerations: Control noise levels; use instruments without sharp edges.

Outcomes: Improved social interaction, stimulation of motor coordination, uplifted mood.

Mapped to: Enhanced Quality Indicator 5 – Creative Expression; Standard 3 – Strategies to Encourage Active Participation

 

5. Aromatherapy & Relaxation Moments

The Science: Lemon balm can enable feelings of calm.

How to implement:

At Home
Hand massage with diluted essential oils.

Care Settings
Create a calm environment with soft lighting and scents.

Risk Considerations: Patch-test for skin reactions; avoid ingestion of oils.

Outcomes: Reduced agitation, increased relaxation, improved sleep quality.

Mapped to: Standard 1 – Providing Activity and Engagement; Standard 4 – Planning and Documentation (Evidence-Informed Practice)

 

6. Textile Story Quilts

The Science: Collaborative craft encourages belonging and identity.

How to implement:

At Home
Make a personal quilt square from meaningful fabrics.

Care Settings: Residents and families contribute patches for a shared quilt.

Risk Considerations: Use blunt needles; supervise cutting tools.

Outcomes: Enhanced social connection, sense of achievement, preserved personal history.

Mapped to: Standard 2 – Engaging Individuals in Decision-Making; Enhanced Quality Indicator 13 – Community Connection

 

7. Multi-Sensory Listening Pods

The Science: Personalised music improves mood and cognitive function.
How to implement:

At Home

Play favourite music, poems, or nature sounds through headphones.

Care Settings

Provide quiet listening areas with soft furnishings.

Risk Considerations: Monitor for sensory overload; ensure safe equipment use.

Outcomes: Elevated mood, reduced feelings of isolation, increased alertness.
Mapped to: Enhanced Quality Indicator 9 – Individualised Activity & Engagement Plan; Standard 3 – Strategies to Encourage Active Participation

 

8. Language & Taste Clubs

The Science: Conversing in a first language supports comfort and identity.

How to implement:

At Home
Share familiar snacks and speak in the preferred language.

Care Settings
Small themed gatherings with regional foods and music.

Risk Considerations: Check for allergies; modify textures for swallowing safety.

Outcomes: Strengthened cultural identity, improved appetite, positive social engagement.

Mapped to: Standard 3 – Strategies to Encourage Active Participation; Enhanced Quality Indicator 4 – Meaningful Connections

 

9. Creative Technology

The Science: Digital reminiscence tools and VR can stimulate memory.

How to implement:

At Home
View digital photo albums or virtual tours.

Care Settings
Offer short VR “visits” to meaningful places.

Risk Considerations: Limit session length; sanitise devices between uses.

Outcomes: Renewed interest in past experiences, cognitive stimulation, enjoyment.

Mapped to: Enhanced Quality Indicator 16 – Resource Accessibility; Enhanced Quality Indicator 19 – Community Engagement

 

10. Sensory Garden Trails

The Science: Outdoor activity improves mood.
How to implement:

At Home
Maintain potted herbs for touch and scent.

Care Settings
Accessible paths with seating and labelled plants.

Risk Considerations: Remove trip hazards; avoid toxic plants.

Outcomes: Reduced stress, improved mood, increased physical activity.

Mapped to: Enhanced Quality Indicator 20 – Environment; Enhanced Quality Indicator 13 – Community Connection

 

11. Life-Themed Roleplay

The Science: Drama supports communication and self-expression.

How to implement:

At Home
Recreate familiar routines like gardening or baking with safe props.

Care Settings
Gentle improvisations based on shared pastimes.
Risk Considerations: Use safe, non-functional props; provide adequate space.
Outcomes: Enhanced self-confidence, increased interaction, emotional release.

Mapped to: Standard 2 – Engaging Individuals in Decision-Making; Standard 3 –Strategies to Encourage Active Participation

 

Top tips on encouraging engagement

Follow the person’s lead: Adapt activity length, content, and pace based on responses.
Consider timing: Mornings often suit stimulating activities; afternoons may suit calmer ones.
Respect choice: Participation includes observing and listening.

Balance benefit with safety: Positive risk-taking can empower when assessed thoughtfully.

Celebrate every response: Even subtle engagement is meaningful.

 

To view NAPA’s Standards of Practice for Activity Providers, click here.