Organize and enjoy family photos, documenting who is in each photo and the year it was taken. Create a family tree together, along with photos and stories. Create a cookbook of all their

favorite recipes — and gather recipes from every branch of your family to include. Then enjoy making the recipes together, even if your loved ones just watch and taste. One of my favorite

projects is to do several things that stimulate the senses (sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste) around a theme. For example, in the fall at apple harvest time, my parents helped me buy

apples and prepare and bake an apple pie. We sang songs about apples, like “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree”, “God Didn’t Make Little Green Apples” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,”

lyrics.” In addition to music, technology can facilitate video chatting on a smartphone, tablet, computer, smart speaker with a built-in video screen (often the easiest since they don’t have

to pick up a phone), or even a two-way camera with voice capabilities. Schedule visits with family or friends of all ages, and if needed, come equipped with a list of conversation starters

like those provided in AARP’s Care to Talk cards. “Buying my mom a GrandPad was a life changer!” says Michelle Warech-Philipson. “Since we live halfway across the country from each other, we

now video chat almost daily. That alone has made a world of difference for us.” Heather takes technology a step further by getting remote access to her mom’s computer or cellphone and

working together on projects. “I am a long-distance caregiver,” she says. “Mom is in Southern California, and I am in Alaska. Once a week, we Skype. I often will remote into her computer at

the same time, and we will work on a digital project together. We have been working on putting all her computer photos in Google Photos. From there, we go through them one by one, and she

will give them a description and we will talk about the photo. The ultimate goal is to share these photos with her family and close friends.” 11. GET PHYSICALLY ACTIVE I hear from caregivers

nearly every day saying that they struggle to get their loved ones to move more. Physical activity is good for the brain as well as other parts of the body — even two minutes of physical

activity can help you live longer, so make it fun. Combine socializing with exercising to motivate loved ones; don’t just tell them what to do — exercise with them. Get friends or family to

join you too (in person or by video chat).   You can watch simple exercise videos online for standing or seated exercises and yoga. Listen to music as you walk or exercise; the body responds

to the rhythms. I used to motivate Dad to march around the house by playing military march music on my smart speaker — it was so innate for him to respond by standing at attention and

marching in an even gait rather than shuffling his feet (a common problem for those with dementia). Of course, he sang along too! 12. GET BACK TO BASICS Ask your loved ones to help with

organizing and household chores. Sweeping, dusting, gardening and folding laundry are familiar household tasks. When Dad was restless, I would gather all the washcloths in the house and ask

him to fold them. If he still had excess energy, I’d take them out of the room, mess them up, and bring them back as “new” laundry to fold again. Doing household chores can have many

benefits, including self-esteem. Cursio says her mother likes to fold clothes: “It makes her feel independent and we talk while she does that.” Potts says her 92-year-old mom has sewn

clothes since she was a young girl. “She loves to sew for children. We do Operation Christmas Child at our church. Her goal this year was to sew 100 felt teddy bears to put in the boxes in

November. She has met that goal and she now has a goal of making 100 pillowcase dresses for them,” says Sheila. “I sometimes have to thread the sewing machine for her, but that’s OK!” Dani

Jennings says she engages her mother in preparing meals. “She helps cook dinner every night by chopping veggies and reading out the next step of the recipe,” Dani says. Going out to eat is

also a popular activity. Potts takes her mother out to eat at least twice a month: “We take one of her friends with us and she loves it!” Joanne Krause says her husband loves to plan their

grocery shopping outing. “From gathering coupons to reviewing the flyers and making a list,” she says. “Once in the store, he strategically gathers his groceries while saving steps. He wears

his Vietnam baseball cap, which brings him attention from other men, also veterans from the time. Helps to engage in conversation.” Intergenerational relationships are one of the basic joys

in life. Theresa Mobbs says it is very difficult for her family to engage her husband since he is unable to move, participate or talk. “All I can do is invite family over for meals in order

to get around him (his mind is still mostly fine). This is tough for me because his care needs don’t cease that day, but it’s essential for both our well-being,” she says. “It was impressed

on me how important this is recently when we wandered out from another room to find my husband with his 3-year-old granddaughter next to him, holding his hand, both quietly watching an

animal movie on TV.” No one of another generation to interact with? Ask a school or community center if they have intergenerational programs in your area — you might even find a virtual

intergenerational program.