Need ideas for a person with dementia that is hyper active

brendapierce

My sister is 73 and loves to walk and be active. She is still in independent living but easily gets bored. She can not drive so for the most part I take her everywhere I go. She needs something to do in her apartment besides watch TV and the birds on her balcony. No on puzzles and bingo! She is in the mid stage of alzheimers. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks a bunch!

mommyandme (m&m)

Maybe a Joy For All companion pet? Music that you might be able to control from your phone? Coloring supplies? Is she bored? Sometimes it seems we caregivers think our LO should be doing more to stay busy, active and healthy yet that’s not what suits the patient.

Being my LOs activity director was monotonous for me. Could it be getting close to time for her to move to AL or MC for the activities?

Wish I had more for you.

CorrieG

Does she collect anything or have a hobby from before? Even if she can't participate in the hobby, you could still have magazines or an activity related to it. (My grandmother read crochet magazines even though she couldn't crochet anymore and she liked to go through her yarn stash.)

Jeanne C.

How about photo books on topics she enjoys? My husband loves animals so I have gotten him bird field guides for our region and photo journalism style books about dogs and other animals. He enjoys looking at the pictures and telling me stories about animals he has seen or had as pets. The books aren't childish so he doesn't feel like I'm treating him like a child.

HollyBerry

If she's in an independent living situation, do they have exercise classes or gardening groups or anything like that? Is someone able to stop by her apartment to bring her down to class when it's time? Can the activity person identify a walking buddy for her?

dancsfo

Can your LO create something - like by drawing or knitting? The end-result doesn't have to be great, but it would be fun making them?

eaglemom

Have you contacted your local ALZ Chapter to see if they offer any support groups? She might benefit from attending those, or even on Zoom, if she's able to do that.

I too wish I had more to offer you.

eagle

SDianeL

Coloring Book? https://www.beingpatient.com/best-dementia-coloring-books/

SDianeL

How about a Day Care Center for Dementia patients? One day a week? You can find centers here: https://www.alz.org/local_resources/find_your_local_chapter

brendapierce

Thanks Diane, I will look into it. She does have an adult coloring book but has not tried it yet.

ButterflyWings

Companion caregiver for a couple of hours a week? There are volunteers including other active seniors without dementia who are part of the Age Options caregiver support in our community. Also is she a veteran or spouse of a vet? Maybe the VA has some volunteers or paid respite care that could be used for this.

The VA has a free arts and crafts resource group in most towns of any size. Even if she can't complete a project properly it is maybe something to try (with a helper in case she is "antsy" but can't really be self-directed as is the case with some PWDs).

These are not really for dementia, but if not too progressed, she may be able to enjoy it. I helped DH with the wallet (leather kits) but found the moccasins were too advanced for me (lol!) but he was ok to lace them wrong and keep trying. I am going to try the suncatcher kit with tiny paints and not a lot to mess up. Doesn't 'matter how it looks once he feels it is "done". Wood, Leather, and Other Craft Kits (healvets.org)

For me, the main benefit was distracting him during sundowning/exit-seeking time so that melatonin would not be the only option to redirect from that temporary impulse.

I hope this helps as I know it can be exhausting for a caregiver with high energy/anxiety/activity PWD LO.