Finish-the-Saying Games for Seniors with Dementia

A finish-the-saying game uses a familiar phrase that stops just before its last word. For many people it is a pleasant, low-pressure way to share a moment. The game works because the words are old and well known, and the person does not need to remember anything about today. This guide explains how to play, how to choose sayings, and how to keep it relaxed.

What is a finish-the-saying game?

It is a short game in which one person reads the first part of a saying and the other fills in the ending. Examples include “Actions speak louder than…” and “The early bird catches the…” The person may say the ending aloud, point to it, or choose from two or three endings you offer. Some people enjoy being the one who reads the first half.

Golden Moments offers this as a free finish-the-saying game with large type. You can also play it without a screen, simply by saying the first half and waiting.

How to play, step by step

1. Choose a quiet moment and sit at eye level, facing the person.
2. Read the first part slowly, in a warm voice, and pause. The National Institute on Aging advises speaking slowly and using short, simple sentences.
3. Wait. Give it several seconds. If nothing comes, offer two or three endings, one of them correct.
4. Celebrate any response. “Yes, that’s the one” or “I hadn’t thought of that” keeps it friendly.
5. Talk about the saying. Ask what it means to them, or where they heard it. This is where the real value is.
6. Stop before they tire. A few sayings and a laugh is a complete session.

Offering choices without quizzing

Multiple-choice endings can make the game easier, but they can also feel like a test if they are offered as a challenge. Keep the tone light. Say “Would you like to hear the ending or pick one?” rather than “Which one is it?” Offer the choices after a pause, not before the person has had a chance to answer.

If the person is upset or embarrassed, drop the game and move on. Our communication tips explain how to change course without making a fuss.

Choosing sayings that suit the person

• Use the person’s own sayings. Ask family what their parent or spouse always said. Sayings from childhood are often easiest.
• Pick short, everyday sayings. Phrases about weather, the kitchen, the garden, family and the seasons are common and easy to follow.
• Keep it plain. Proverbs that depend on old-fashioned words or a moral can be confusing. Save them for people who enjoy them.
• Check the language. Many idioms do not translate. Use sayings the person knows in their own language, even if you have to find new ones.

Sayings by theme

Each sample below shows the ending in parentheses for you. Read only the first part, then wait.

• Weather: “Rain before seven…” (ending: “fine by eleven”); “Every cloud has…” (a silver lining).
• Kitchen and food: “Too many cooks…” (spoil the broth); “Don’t count your chickens…” (before they hatch).
• Home and family: “Home is where the heart…” (is); “Blood is thicker than…” (water).
• Seasons and garden: “April showers bring…” (May flowers); “You reap what you…” (sow).

What about a person who cannot answer?

Some people cannot find words at all in later stages. Do not give up on the saying. Read it, smile, and invite a response with a gesture, a nod, or by choosing a picture. Sharing a familiar rhythm is still a shared moment. Pair the game with music, a warm drink, or a hand rub, as in our late-stage activities.

More ways to use sayings

Sayings lead well into talk about a person’s past. You can invite stories with prompts from reminiscence questions, or play a related game like conversation cards. For more ideas across the day, see activities for people with dementia.