Christina Peachey

Activity Title: The Alphabet Game

Sources: Adapt the home for persons with dementia: Dementia Care Notes. (2020, August 27).
Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://dementiacarenotes.in/caregivers/adapt-the- home/

Boyke, G. (2018, January 8). Alphabet Game or ABC Game - How to play it. Retrieved
November 09, 2020, from https://improwiki.com/en/wiki/improv/alphabet_game

Says, L., Lorraine, Says, A., Anne, Says, A., Waters, A., . . . Jennifer. (2020, June 08). 75+
Stimulating Activities for Alzheimer's & Dementia Patients. Retrieved November 09, 2020, from
https://adventuresofacaregiver.com/75-stimulating-activities-for-alzheimers- dementia-patients/

What is Alzheimer's? (n.d.). Retrieved November 09, 2020, from

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers

Equipment: No equipment is needed, just a group of participants.

Description: The objective of this activity is to work on teamwork, practice patience, and
encourage all participants in the group.

Steps:
1. Introduce the activity to the participants, as well as the purpose of the activity.

2. Explain that we will be starting with the first letter of the alphabet “A” and make sure the
participants know the order of people sharing.
3. Each person in the group will go in order and say the next letter and something that begins
with that letter whether it is a name, an animal, a place, or an object.

The goal of the activity is to try and get through the whole alphabet saying something for each
letter.

Primary Interaction Pattern: The interaction pattern is intra-group because it is of a

cooperative nature by two or more persons intent upon reaching a mutual goal. The activity
requires positive verbal or nonverbal interaction. This is because it is an activity taking place that
involves a group involved in a common goal. This type of activity was chosen because it allows
everyone to work off each other while going through the alphabet each letter at a time, which
works on an individual’s ability to work with others and their attention. It requires people to
actively listen to their peers.

Adaptation: The early stage, which can be referred to as mild, has some challenges involved.
For example, the inability to recall information that was just read, forgetting where an object is
located, and finding it hard to interact with others when working or socializing. They may be
able to still work and drive, but there is a possibility that they start to forget familiar words and
locations to everyday objects. Some symptoms are being forgetful of past events or family
history, finding themselves lost on multiple occasions, and confusion about where they are
located or what day it is. For someone with early-onset dementia, some adaptations for this
activity could be showing pictures for certain objects that begin with the letter you are
discussing, so they have a visual of them. Taking things slowly with the participants, as well as
repeating will help the activity go smoothly. This will allow them to hear what others have to say
for a certain letter, which will provide more clarity. Finally, focus on their feelings throughout the
whole activity making sure they understand what is going on and feel comfortable.

Participant: 75-year-old woman diagnosed with early-onset dementia.