What is BRAIN TIME?Brain Time is a series of activity and coloring pages designed to engage the patient living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The pages range in difficulty from Relaxing to Challenging and can be

done alone or with someone. Colored pencils work best for this activity as they are easy to hold, not messy, and can color in fine lines. The activity level is listed on the bottom of each page.

Brain TIME is includedin Alzheimer’s Community Care’s

Caregiver ToolboxFor more information, contact Alzheimer’s Community Care

(561) 683-2700 or visit www.alzcare.org/toolbox

Color It In

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Fill in the blank

THIS IS YOUR LIFE is specifically designed for reminiscing and is good for creating comfortable conversation. While your loved one might not be able to remember what they had for lunch, they are very likely to remember their wedding day, the name of a favorite school teacher, or a childhood holiday. Reminiscence therapy uses this ability to recall events that happened long ago, even when short term memory is failing. It can also help boost their mood and stimulate wider conversation.

Therapeutic Valuecognitive · emotional · physical (fine motor) · social/individual

Where were you born?

Do you have brothers and sisters?

Where did you go to school?

What was your first car?

What was your first job?

Did your family travel a lot?

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Fill in the blank

What was the town like that you grew up in?

What was your school like?

Tell me about your favorite family trip?

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Coloring

Similar to meditation, Masterpiece allows you to switch off your brain from other thoughts, which can be very satisfying, calming and relaxing for dementia patients. Patients may also have difficulty sleeping and the calming effects of coloring can help soothe patients before bed. Art therapy and coloring are also great communication tools. According to Dr. Karen Gilbert, Florida-based dementia specialist, “Art therapy is helpful for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients because it enables an individual who is having trouble communicating to bypass the language problems they may be having, allowing them to communicate and express themselves in a different way.”

Therapeutic Valuecognitive · emotional · physical (fine motor) · social/individual

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Coloring

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Fill in the blank

What’s My Line? uses common phrases, pairs, book titles and the like to allow the person with dementia to draw from their long-term memory bank. This activity is best enjoyed with someone, but can be done alone. The “lines” are designed to stimulate memories, encourage reminiscing, and spark enjoyable and therapeutic conversation. The categories will cover a wide variety of interests and life experiences. Suggested answers are below, but there are no right or wrong answers. The activity is designed for engagement and enjoyment.

Therapeutic Valuecognitive · emotional · physical (fine motor) · social/individual

SALT AND

PEANUT BUTTER AND

THE BIRDS AND THE

RHYTHM AND

CAT AND

MACARONI AND

coffee AND

Pots AND

FISH AND

ROCK AND

SALT AND PEPPERPEANUT BUTTER AND JELLYTHE BIRDS AND THE BEESRHYTHM AND BLUESCAT AND MOUSE

MACARONI AND CHEESECOFFEE AND DONUTSPOTS AND PANSFISH AND CHIPSROCK AND ROLL

SUGGESTED ANSWERS

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Fill in the blank

WAR AND

CHEAPER BY THE

LITTLE HOUSE ON

20,000 LEAGUES

THE OLD MAN

TO KILL A

THE HUNCHBACK

AROUND THE WORLD

MUTINY ON

HOW TO WIN FRIENDS

WAR AND PEACECHEAPER BY THE DOZENLITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEATHE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRDTHE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAMEAROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYSMUTINY ON THE BOUNTYHOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE

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Coloring

Focusing the mind on a simple, calming activity such as Hollywood Squares has the power to enhance brain activity, encourage positive thinking, and even foster social skills. Therapeutic coloring helps the mind to focus on the moment and promotes mindfulness. It has been proven to reduce stress as well as anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. Coloring is also an excellent activity for enhancing dexterity for dementia patients suffering from the loss of motor skills.

Therapeutic Valuecognitive · emotional · physical (fine motor) · social/individual

Discussion PointsWhat does Hollywood make you think of?What is your favorite Hollywood movie?

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Coloring

Discussion PointsWhat is your favorite Elvis Presley song?Have you ever been to Memphis, Tennessee?

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Word search

Word search is a familiar and popular pastime for many people. It is engaging and offers cognitive challenges with positive and immediate feedback. Name That Tune can be done by the patient alone or together with their caregiver. The concentration required and the short-term memory skills used for Name That Tune are all beneficial to the patient. The topics of each word search can also be used to retrieve long-term memories and create conversation.

Therapeutic Valuecognitive · emotional · physical (fine motor) · social/individual

F K D T R U M P E T

C F L U T E R T C F

P I A N O D R U M Q

H D S Z O N P B N V

A Q E G L Y G A J I

R E C O R D E R N O

P E Q G Z D Z E E L

W E G U I T A R C I

R J Z D U Z P M Q N

B A N J O D I R A O

TRUMPET

GUITAR

VIOLIN

DRUM

BANJO

FLUTE

TUBA

PIANO

HARP

RECORDER

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CFLUTERTCF

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RECORDERNO

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BANJODIRAO

TRUMPET

GUITAR

VIOLIN

DRUM

BANJO

FLUTE

TUBA

PIANO

HARP

RECORDER

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Word search

G E X M E Q H D Z V M N F R Y B T S X V

O I M H E V Z H W X N O A Z A H B C V Q

L Y J F C L B V E I Z M I Q Q Y G H J O

Y T R B I D A B B C P A U L X E M P V K

P I H W I D O U L A R R S Y L G G T I I

V U I Z H C D B W S S Y R U J A L W C D

D Q N L Q A X W W L L R V R E L V I S T

W L E P V L R G N J E D S J A S Q S W K

F S A X R K E E G P V U Q A B H A F V F

Y C R Q N F B Q T C V Y N Z I R P F Z B

I D L O H V X I M H Z F H C X R Q K D X

X I A K V E D Y I M A W Y D Y S F Q E F

E N R L U X S Y W P R M Q Q W U S T L R

P S Z U D T D O O E Q O B C F H O M D O

M A N A A H E Y V N A W Q D B V K V B X

L U L P U C A Q L V X W D S I M Z E M P

Z B D D I A N A R B B P L X Q P L U T K

K P F K I Q E T F K O L Q O J M Z O J Q

I I K C J V F O Y R B R E N D A W H A F

V V N J Q X C T F S A H E Q Y M M M I W

PERRY

DIANA

BOB

ELVIS

PATSY

RAY

DEAN

BRENDA

ARETHA

PAUL

GEXMEQHDZVMNFRYBTSXV

OIMHEVZHWXNOAZAHBCVQ

LYJFCLBVEIZMIQQYGHJO

YTRBIDABBCPAULXEMPVK

PIHWIDOULARRSYLGGTII

VUIZHCDBWSSYRUJALWCD

DQNLQAXWWLLRVRELVIST

WLEPVLRGNJEDSJASQSWK

FSAXRKEEGPVUQABHAFVF

YCRQNFBQTCVYNZIRPFZB

IDLOHVXIMHZFHCXRQKDX

XIAKVEDYIMAWYDYSFQEF

ENRLUXSYWPRMQQWUSTLR

PSZUDTDOOEQOBCFHOMDO

MANAAHEYVNAWQDBVKVBX

LULPUCAQLVXWDSIMZEMP

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KPFKIQETFKOLQOJMZOJQ

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PERRY

DIANA

BOB

ELVIS

PATSY

RAY

DEAN

BRENDA

ARETHA

PAUL

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Connect the dots

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can reduce one’s ability to focus, but games like Concentration can engage the patient in completing a single task. Concentration utilizes vital fine motor skills, numerical recollections, and provides an achievable challenge. Creating something through the puzzle creates a sense of accomplishment that is often lost throughout the progression of the disease.Therapeutic Value

cognitive · emotional · physical (fine motor) · social/individual

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START AT THE PENCIL

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Connect the dots

START AT THE PENCIL

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Solve the maze

Puzzles exist to be solved, and solving a puzzle is extremely satisfying for a patient living with dementia. The Treasure Hunt maze is a puzzle that has a definite starting and ending point, offering the patient an opportunity to see a goal and reach that goal through a series of steps. This provides valuable mental stimulation. A completed maze can rekindle the satisfaction of a job well done, triggering joy and pleasure for the patient. Therapeutic Value

cognitive · emotional · physical (fine motor) · social/individual

START

FINISH

THE COINS LEADTO THE TREASURE!

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Solve the maze

START

FINISH

THE COINS LEADTO THE TREASURE!

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We all need a break sometimes, especially caregivers. Take some time to have a laugh, share a story, and be inspired by the Caregiver Corner.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

— Leo Buscaglia, author

You’re American when you go into the bathroom, and you’re American when you come out, but do you know what you are while you’re in there? European.

Did you hear about the guy who invented Lifesavers? They say he made a mint.

I had a dream that I was a muffler last night. I woke up exhausted!

What did the horse say after it tripped? “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t giddyup!”

Two guys walk into a bar, the third one ducks.

Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They’d crack each other up.

It’s not worth it to argue or reason with someone who has dementia.

Agree, redirect or distract. When they say things that don’t make sense or are clearly untrue, they believe what they’re saying because it’s what their brain is telling them.

Caregiver Tip

Quote Jokes

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUIf you have a funny joke, story or inspirational quote to share, send it to info@alzcare.org