Finding activities for caregivers to do with husband

Kath52

Hi I’m new to this group. My husband has Alzheimer’s. He enjoys still going out. He receives 16 hours of home health care a week through the VA. I’m trying to find things for them to do with him. They go bowling, to the senior center and shopping. I have tried to researching ideas and have not come up with a good fit. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Hal42

Hi Kath! Welcome! You might want to look at You Tube and do a search for Dementia Friendly Activities To Do At Home With Your Loved One. I’m sure you will get a lot of good answers from great folks on here. God Bless!

Stuck in the middle

Welcome aboard.  I see your husband is paraplegic, but you didn't share where you live, so I'll answer your question as if you lived next door.

Here in Missouri, we have a lot of trees.  I like to go for walks under the trees, it is very relaxing.  Some of our parks have paved trails that would accommodate a wheelchair.  That's where I would want to go if I were in your husband's position.  Watch the birds, feel the warm breeze, do a little "forest bathing."

jfkoc

Library....playground with a bench for watching...we have several art classes for seniors and some of the students have dementia...museum....fishing.......cooking...scrapbooking...labeling photos.... plant some vegetables or just visit a garden center

google what is available near you...you may be surprised!

M1

Welcome to the forum Kath. Before you go too far afield, since its VA funded and not private pay, you may want to check about any institutional rules about what is and isnt allowed. I work for our state Medicaid board, and home health aides are allowed to perform hands-on care and light housekeeping (meaning the patents bed and bath areas) only.  Even meal preparation may not be allowed. Outings other than walks for exercise would be strictly frowned upon, and aides are not allowed to transport patients, ever. So it's worth reading the fine print or talking to a supervisor.

towhee

farmers market, some very small airports still allow plane watching

Kath52

Thanks everyone! The problem here is pretty much everything for seniors is still virtual. Plus it’s pretty hot here. I have thought of the library but he has never been a book person.the airport is a great idea. My daughter takes her kids there all the time. Once things cool down he will be able to do more outdoor stuff. We have a lot of great senior stuff here if only things would open up fully. He is very social and wants to be around people. Plus fortunately our caregivers are allowed to take him out. We live in Silver Spring MD.

Bubblesmom

Great idea. Thank you!

abc123

Birding! I set up a feeding station just outside my kitchen window complete with a birdbath. I use a double hook plant hanger, the black iron ones that you shove into the ground. I fill up the feeders every morning. I get many different varieties of birds. My mom really likes to watch the birds come and go. She gets excited when they splash around in the bath. It’s almost the only thing she enjoys. I have purchased several nice birding books over the years and I identify the birds to her.