There's an ever-growing number of online resources to help fill the time at home. 

We've pulled together some that we know have been useful to people living with dementia and their family carers - and will add to the list in the days and weeks ahead. Please let us know any websites or ideas that you have found useful. 

Music

Musical Guide  Practical ideas for using music at home specially put together for the lockdown by Music for Dementia 2020.

Dementia Radio  From Music for Dementia, five themed 'stations' broadcasting music to evoke memories 24/7.

Memory Radio The BBC’s online station of radio shows and music from the archives, arranged in decades.

The Nostalgia Machine - links to YouTube videos of hit songs, just pick your favourite year back to 1951. (NB there are pop-up ads that you can just click x to close).

Playlist for Life  Specialists in creating a musical playlist for someone with dementia.

Virtual Music for the Mind  Online sessions and Zoom recordings of our own singing, movement and art groups - with more added regularly.

Celebrating Age March concert Video concert of piano and flute music specially recorded at Wiltshire Music Centre.

Celebrating Age Concert 2  Video concert of songs by our Music for the Mind leader Frankie Simpkins, and her ukelele.

A Tune at Noon - a virtual concert with Frankie Simpkins and Peter French courtesy of Wiltshire Rural Music.

Celebrating Age Concert 3 Video concert of sing-along tunes with Sian Penlington and Rob Colquoun.

Virtual Music for the Mind Our own singing groups online with familiar instructors.

Vintage films and folk songs from Amanda Boyd and Windrose Rural Media Trust.

Practical project ideas

House of Memories Things to Do  Ideas for creating a memory tree or box.

Wiltshire Museums reminiscence sessions  Short sessions delving into the archives - good for stimulating discussion.

Dementia Services Information and Development Centre Tips and ideas for gardening, music and exercise at home.

Chatterpack Not dementia-specific, but a useful list of online resources for anyone looking for activities at home.

The Wildlife Trust activity ideas  Craft projects and ideas for watching wildlife close to home.

RSPB activity ideas - Identify wildlife and surveys to do at home from the national bird protection charity.

King Lear Prizes Creative arts competition for over-70s stuck at home because of Coronavirus.

Arts and Culture

BBC Culture in Quarantine  An array of performances and creative project ideas from the BBC.

Google Arts and Culture Virtual tours of galleries, landmarks and different artists explored.

Age of Creativity  A collection of ideas for creative and cultural ideas for people with dementia to enjoy at home.

Places and Spaces - Landscape of the Megaliths - Rachel Heard, artist, links with local museums

Arrowhead Art - with artist Matthew Dean, part of a series of videos from Salisbury Musuem

 

Exercise

Joe Wicks simple workout for older people

Strength and Flex Simple exercise routines and fitness ideas from the NHS.

Celebrating Age Wiltshire  Five seated dance videos to do at home.

Virtual Movement for the Mind  Our own online exercise sessions with familiar instructors.

Virtual out of doors

Virtual tour of Wiltshire  Visit Wiltshire has pulled together a range of attractions, webcams, museum tours and more so you can see the best of the county without leaving home. Includes a link to the Stonehenge skycam!

Roses at Cadenham Manor  Owner Victoria Nye narrates a six-minute tour of the Wiltshire garden which had been due to open this month with teas in aid of Alzheimer's Support. 

More NGS gardens   Video tours of National Garden Scheme gardens across the UK which were due to open this spring. 

More resources

Distancing with Dementia  A great new resource packed with ideas from people living with dementia.

Dementia Diaries An opportunity for people living with dementia to share their thoughts and insights with a wider audience.

The Feelgood Pack  Simple ideas for enhancing your wellbeing from Pound Arts in Corsham.

Not online?

Now is also a good time to rediscover simpler pleasures that do not involve a screen. One lady that we support had given up knitting - but stuck at home with little to do she has now returned to this once favourite hobby and getting great pleasure from it. 

Many people are enjoying jigsaws, watching old films and listening to favourite music. There may be simple jobs to do in the garden or shed, craft activities, or why not clear some space and have a dance!

Sticking to a routine in which you do things at set times of the day, or in different parts of the house, is a good idea. Leave plenty of time for activities and take things slowly - the one thing we all have at the moment is more time!

Find more advice for coping at home with dementia