With or without dementia, meaningful activities and meaningful relationships are at the heart of a positive and enjoyable life. But what is a meaningful activity? How can we find activities that suit the unique person? How do we help them engage? What makes an activity meaningful?
Activities or Meaningful Activities?
Author:
Orquidea Tamayo Mortera: Presentation to Dementia Matewareware Network Hui September 2024 
Description:
Orquidea is passionate about Diversional and Recreational Therapy and believes it is fundamental to enhancing quality of life. Orquidea's many roles include National Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for Summerset Group Holdings, chair of the NZ Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapists, and co-chair of Allied Health Aotearoa.  
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Tailoring Meaningful Activities
Author:
Tracey Hawkes: Presentation to Dementia Matewareware Network Hui September 2024 
Description:
Tracey is an Occupational Therapist with over two decades of clinical experience. She facilitates the ‘Walking in Another’s Shoes’ dementia education programme for home-based support staff. Her focus is helping care staff develop the confidence and person-centred tools to support older people to live more independent and fulfilled lives.
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Activity Pillars Diagram
Meaning in Meaningful Activities
Author:
Darral Campbell: Presentation to Dementia Matewareware Network Hui September 2024 
Description:
Darral Campbell is the Manager of Dementia Canterbury, an organisation committed to supporting people to live well in the community with dementia mate wareware for as long as possible. Her particular interest is partnerships with community that enable access and opportunity for social connection and stimulation for those living with a dementia diagnosis.
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Community Activity Groups for People Living at Home with Dementia
Author:
Dementia Canterbury 
Description:

Developing meaningful activities for someone living with dementia requires an understanding of their life: their interests, strengths and abilities, what's important to them, what they're proud of, and what makes their day. Activity groups provide an opportunity for respite for carers/whanau, and our groups involve partnerships with many community providers so that activity happens in normalised environments.

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Community Activity Groups for People Living with Dementia: A Guide to Getting Started
Author:
Dementia Canterbury 
Description:

The purpose of this resource pack is to help organisations get started on running community-based activity groups for people living with dementia. It covers why activity groups are such a positive experience for all the parties involved, guidance and resources to help you run groups for people living with dementia, and lots of examples of successful groups to inspire you.

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