Why this helps:

A hands‑on craft that welcomes the season creates a visual celebration you can both admire. For someone living with dementia, working with simple materials—faux flowers, ribbons, a foam or grapevine base—engages fine motor skills and provides a sense of accomplishment. Art activities like painting, drawing, and sculpting can improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and planning. The finished wreath becomes a daily reminder that you created something beautiful together.

How to do it:

  • Gather a wreath base (grapevine or foam) and an assortment of spring‑themed decorations: small silk flowers, greenery, ribbons.
  • Work side by side, weaving, tucking, or gluing items onto the base.
  • Let your loved one choose colors or place items where they like. There’s no wrong way.

 

Dementia caregiver and loved one are pictured expressing joy while creating a simple spring wreath. Image includes these words: "The joy is in the process, not the perfection."

 

Pro tip:

Use hot glue if you need items to stay; for a more tactile experience, let things be loosely tucked—they can be rearranged later.

 

Comfort note:

If they lose interest halfway, you can finish it together another day. The joy is in the process, not the perfection.

 

Novelty Journaling:

“What part of making the wreath did they enjoy most—choosing flowers, arranging them, or just watching? How does it feel to see our creation hanging?”

 

Image describing the science and art of NOVELTY JOURNALING as a practice and a philosophy. Neuroscience tells us our brains are changed when we observe differently - in new and novel ways.

 

From a neuroscience perspective, novelty activates dopamine, which supports motivation, learning, and memory. It activates the prefrontal cortex, pulling us out of automatic, reactive patterns. It strengthens neural pathways associated with curiousity, planning, and creativity. And over time, this shifts us from coping mode to creative mode.

From a caregiving perspective, instead of bracing for loss, the caregiver begins designing the day. The question changes from “What will today take from us?” to “What might today give us?”  This reframes the caregiver from responder to co-creator.  The environment itself changes: attention softens, engagement deepens, dignity expands

 

Caregiver note:

So, this is a creative outlet for you, too! And it also provides a way for all who are part of the caring team to engage with the loved one, including family members and friends…! Making something beautiful – together – with your hands can be a wonderful counterbalance to the demands of caregiving – while also filling that void where you wonder how you can best help.

 

Additional notes:

Don’t worry about making it look like a store display. A lopsided bow, flowers clustered in one corner, a ribbon trailing too long—that’s the charm of it. Hang it on the door or above the sofa. Every time you see it, you’ll remember the quiet afternoon you spent creating it together.

To learn more about Novelty Journaling, continue reading here: 

 

 

Blog Author:

Zulekha ("Zuley") is a brilliant content writer who demonstrates empathy and compassion in storytelling.

Zulekha Ali (“Zuley”) is a freelance writer with a commitment to delivering informative and impactful content to enrich readers’ understanding and empower them to make informed decisions.

Blog Co-Author:

Susan Troyer, MS, BA, is author and curator of ABeautifulVoice.org.

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