This Insidious Dementia
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on it and make a purchase I'll receive a small commission at no cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.
I wanted to take the time to show you about one of the products I have in my Etsy store, Dementia Helping Hand. It’s an animal matching game and it’s great to use with loved ones that have dementia or memory problems. Read on to find out How To Use Safari Animal Matching Cards.
What’s Included in the Safari Animal Matching Cards
In my Etsy store, Dementia Helping Hand, I have this animal matching game. It’s a game that focuses on African Safari animals or those found in Africa.
It’s a printable set of 22 animals. There are 3 parts in each animal set.
The top part features 6 bullet point facts.
The middle part is the animal name.
The bottom part is a real photo of the animal, not an illustration.
The font is a large size so that it’s easily readable and the facts are spaced apart also making them easily readable.
Each set has 3 parts. I designed it that way so you have some variety in how you cut it apart.
Tip – You may want to print 2 copies of all the pages and keep 1 so that you have an answer key.
Tip – You may want to laminate the parts for durability. (Clear shelf liner paper will do and may end up being cheaper than taking it to a print shop for lamination.)
Why use Matching Activities for People with Dementia
Here are some benefits of matching activities
Stimulates memory recall
Requires visual discrimination which reinforces visual recognition
Helps them recognize similarities and differences between objects
Improves focus
Improves attention span
Gives them something to do
Keeps their language and vocabulary skills going by naming and categorizing objects
Social interaction is involved
Can boost self-esteem
May help reduce agitation and restlessness
Requires fine-motor skills to maneuver pieces around and match them
Ways to use the matching card sets
Traditional Matching Game
Lay the cards face down (or face up if that would result in better success/less frustration)
Match the pairs
Sort by Category
Group animals by size, habitat, daytime/night time hunter, or type
Great for higher functioning people, takes it up a notch in skill level
Talk and Reminisce
Use these as conversation starters
“Did you ever see a zebra?” or “Did you ever go to the zoo when you were younger?”
Solo Play or Quiet Time
Allow your loved one to look through and handle the cards freely.
Calm, tactile engagement for rest periods.
Animal Sounds Game
Show a card and make (or play) the animal’s sound.
Let your loved one guess the animal, point to the correct animal or repeat the sound.
There’s some variety you could do with this one.
Tips for Caregivers
Laminate for reuse and durability
Start with 3-4 sets then gradually add in a few more. You don’t want to frustrate them.
Play with your loved one. It’s a good bonding experience!
Reduce visual distractions. Play on a non-patterned background.
If the printed size is too small, increase the print size
Make it multisensory by adding toy animals, textures and sounds
If your loved one is able, can they add any animal movements
Use the card as a storytelling prompt and ask “What does this animal remind you of?”
Celebrate the attempts even if wrong – “That’s a good try!”
Rotate this activity with others
Where to Get This activity
This African Safari Animal Matching set is available here in my Etsy store, Dementia Helping Hand. It is a printable digital product so nothing will be shipped to you. There are 22 animals, 2 animals to a page, and you get a page with suggestions on how to use them.
For a small price you can buy it today, print it out and have your loved one using it soon after purchase.
As a caregiver, sometimes it’s hard to keep your loved one interested in something. This is just another activity you can add to your caregiver tool kit. It may come in handy some day when you need to distract your loved one or calm them down.
You might also like these posts –
Dementia Brain Games – Matching Activities