Red Flags: Signs Your Loved One with Dementia Needs More Structured Activities at Home
- Nestcare Home Care and Private Duty Nursing
- May 5
- 3 min read
What Behaviors Could Really Be Telling You—and What You Can Do About It
In this article we discuss: dementia behavioral changes, activities for sundowning, dementia warning signs, Nest Care Cards
“She’s just been… off lately.”
If you’re caring for someone with dementia, you’ve probably said this out loud—or at least thought it.
Maybe your loved one is:
Pacing more than usual
Becoming restless in the late afternoon
More easily frustrated or short-tempered
Asking repetitive questions
Having trouble sleeping or sitting still
At first, you chalk it up to a bad day.
But over time, it becomes a pattern.And you start to wonder:
“Is something deeper going on?”
You’re not imagining things. These changes are real—and they may be your loved one’s way of showing they need more structured engagement and support.
Dementia Doesn’t Just Affect Memory—It Affects Rhythm and Routine
The brain thrives on rhythm. Familiarity. Predictability.
As dementia progresses, a person may lose their ability to create structure on their own. They may not remember what to do with themselves. But their body and mind still crave stimulation.
When that need goes unmet, it shows up in behavior—not words.
🚩 5 Common Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
These dementia behavioral changes often signal a deeper need for purpose, activity, and connection:
1. Increased Pacing or Wandering
You may notice they walk the same loop over and over—or try to leave the house unexpectedly.
Why it’s happening: Their brain may be trying to “do something.” Pacing can be a sign of restlessness, boredom, or confusion about time and place.
2. Repetitive Questions or Actions
They ask, “What time is dinner?” five times in a row—or open and close the same drawer repeatedly.
Why it’s happening: When the brain lacks stimulation, it often clings to the last accessible thought or habit. Repetition is a default when structure is missing.
3. Late Afternoon Agitation (Sundowning)
As the day winds down, they may become irritable, suspicious, or confused. You might notice a shift in mood around 4 or 5 p.m.
Why it’s happening: The brain is tired, overstimulated, and disoriented by fading daylight. A lack of clear routine during this time only adds to the chaos.
4. Aggression or Mood Swings
Sudden outbursts, frustration over small things, or unpredictable emotions may appear out of nowhere.
Why it’s happening: These behaviors often stem from an unmet need—especially the need for purposeful engagement. Without a routine, every moment can feel disorienting or even threatening.
5. Withdrawing or Shutting Down
On the flip side, your loved one may do nothing at all—just sit and stare, sleep more, or avoid interacting.
Why it’s happening: Too much unstructured downtime can cause the brain to “check out.” They may be overwhelmed by the lack of clear, safe direction.
But Here’s the Good News: Structure Doesn’t Mean Strict for Dementia Activities
You don’t need a color-coded schedule or a professional background to create a sense of rhythm and purpose.
It can be as simple as:
🟢 Starting the morning with the same song
🟢 Folding towels together after lunch
🟢 Playing a sensory game in the afternoon
🟢 Ending the day with a calming lotion massage
It’s not about perfection. It’s about consistency, comfort, and connection.
The Tool That Makes It Easy: Nest Care Cards
We get it—when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed, even remembering what to try can feel impossible.
That’s why we created the Nest Care Cards: Dementia Activity Deck—a nurse-informed resource with 100+ brain-friendly activities that are:
✔️ Simple to use
✔️ Designed for real-life dementia behaviors
✔️ Categorized by movement, sensory, memory, and creative support
✔️ Done using household items or no supplies at all
✔️ Perfect for managing sundowning, pacing, and emotional shifts
Instead of reacting to outbursts, you’ll have a tool to prevent them—by offering structure before confusion sets in.
💬 What Other Caregivers Are Saying:
“We started using the cards every afternoon, and her sundowning behaviors have gone way down.”— Kim L., Daughter and Family Caregiver
“I used to panic when my dad got restless. Now I just pull a card and we do something simple—but it works every time.”— Tony M., Son and Caregiver
🛒 Want to Create Calm Before the Chaos Starts?
You don’t need more stress.You just need support that works—even on the hard days.
When behaviors change, it’s your loved one’s way of asking for help.Not with words—but with action.
Let’s meet them there—with structure, connection, and care that meets them exactly where they are.
It starts with one simple activity.And we’ve made it easy to begin.
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