Activities are essential to the well-being of any person but especially so for one who lives in a long term care environment or who is cognitively impaired. One of the most important aspects of caring for another is having meaningful activities available. When choosing an assisted living residence, pay particular attention to the activities that are in progress as well as the schedule of upcoming events. Ask questions about who conducts the activities and how residents are encouraged to attend.Care providers and families should participate jointly in developing and implementing individualized and appropriate programs on how to keep individuals with dementia engaged in meaningful activities.Look for activities that are person-centered, flexible, and spontaneous. Some individuals may no longer have the capacity to play a full-fledged game by the standardized rules, but they may still enjoy a modified game. In addition, persons who are cognitively impaired may not have the attention span or concentration ability to participate in an activity for long periods of time. The activity schedule should be flexible enough to change based on individual preferences, interests, and abilities.Although some activities or games may be modified, all activities should be designed in such a manner that the residents are treated respectfully and as adults. The activities should not be intended to just keep people busy but also to provide mental and social stimulation. A successful activity plan will be one in which the staff and activities enrich peoples lives provides opportunities for individuals to express themselves in meaningful ways, whether it be through artistic expression or through reminiscing conversations.Activities do not have to be of the entertainment variety, but should be such that residents feel less lonely and are able to feel as though they are contributing. Often times the most meaningful activities are held in smaller, more intimate settings. For example, in a residence that serves individuals with dementia, a small group avoids over-stimulating the individuals and makes it easy for the residents to engage in conversation.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Jean Cannon, Executive Director at Aspen House Assisted Living in Loveland, CO. She can be reached at 970-635-9800 or visit www.aspenhouse.org.