Activities for a workaholic

ebplionis

Hi all,

My mother loved work, and even when she fought cancer she continued to work since it brought her joy and purpose.  Now in her middle-stage dementia, it is clear she misses it, but ends up being a little destructive!  She is constantly moving papers and books around her room, seeing "deadlines" and worrying about things not getting done.  On good days I'm her "manager" and she reports to me, and bad days I'm her employee and she berates me for not thinking ahead, and getting ahead of various work problems.  

I'd love to channel this desire to work and be productive. She was never into household choirs- a true career woman, so folding clothes, helping with dishes/cooking last a little big, but never long, she wants to get back to the "real work."

Is there anyone out there that has created "work tasks" for their loved ones?  I can't imagine she's the only one that wants to continue to work.  

Thanks in advance!  I always get great advice from this group.

Michael Ellenbogen

You are describing me but to answer that question one would need to know what she can still do. Not what you think she can do As I know many with dementia that have bloomed after given some great task for advocacy. They came out of there shell and doing great today.

 

Iris L.

Can she attend an adult day care and help out there?

Iris