• Aquarium trip. We used our bounce back tickets to see the newest attractions at the aquarium since David is in town and Shaun hadn’t seen it before.
  

• 10 Stimulating Activities for Alzheimer’s Patients

• Do arts and crafts, such as painting or knitting. Keep tools and patterns simple.
• Organize household or office items, particularly if the person used to take pleasure in organizational tasks.
• Clean around the house. Sweep the patio, wipe the table, fold towels or try other household tasks that help the person feel a sense of accomplishment.
• Tend the garden or visit a botanical garden.
• Read the newspaper.
• Look at books the person used to enjoy.
• Cook or bake simple recipes together.
• Work on puzzles.
• Watch family videos.
• Sing songs or play music.

There is only so much entertaining to do. We go on walks, church, grocery shopping and we try to take her to lunch or dinner weekly (but that gets expensive). Meals together, Home health comes to check in once a week, but they are in and out in an hour. The nice visiting teacher takes her for a walk once a month. She used to love gardening, reading and painting, but those are too difficult now. I have given her old pictures that she will sometimes organize, but she doesn’t know who most people are anymore. She rearranges her DVD collection daily, but now getting to the point of not being able to turn on her TV, and will stare at her blank screen. We tried giving her the adult coloring books, clay and puzzles for mothers day, and within the hour she was trying to give them all back to the kids, saying it was for them, not her. She is at the in-between stage where those things offend her. Being a music teacher and pianist, so you would think music would be a perfect distraction, but now she complains it hurts her ears, and her piano frustrates her. She says someone came and messed up all her sheet music. Bought a recumbent bike she wont use.

Really I’m at a loss. Its the in-between times I feel if I’m not prompting her or entertaining her, she is content to just sit and stare. While these are great suggestions above, what about the times a caregiver has to live there own life?? Are there be independent activities she can accomplish on her own, without constant guidance and supervision? And a retirement home is simply out of the question. Been there, done that, failed miserably.

Published by KaGardn1

I'm trying to live the most meaningful and intentional life possible. Minimalist, Vegetarian, Fierce protector of a full night sleep, Mother, Wife, Daughter -caretaker, Sister, Friend, Nurse. Sharing day to day life with family and friends. A quest to minimize effects of Alzheimer's Disease. View all posts by KaGardn1