Memory Care Activities

Karl38 · December 16

My wife has ALZ Stage 4-5. One of my big problems in caring for her is finding things for her to do. She has lost interest in many things and depends on me to fill in her time. We go to our Senior Center often, go for walks and have lunch out at shopping malls. In the evenings we watch TV together.

While she is at home now I can see the need for Memory Care down the road. People at the Memory Care facilities claim to have activities that keep residents busy I'm wondering (and concerned about) how true this is. If anyone reading this has firsthand knowledge of what goes on inside a Memory Care facility I would appreciate any information you would like to share.

charley0419 · December 16

That’s good question never thought of it!!

harshedbuzz · December 16

At a well run MCF, there will be dementia-informed activities designed to occupy PWD and make them feel successful in doing them. Do check that they're actually happening and not posted for the benefit of families.

Dad's MCF had something to do daily from 8am to 8pm with breaks for meal. There were crafts, matinees w/ snacks, simple sports, chair fitness, discussion groups, live music, outings for lunch and visits from clergy and therapy animals.

Dad didn't partake of any of the activities offered aside from live music. My aunt was busy all day until the evening until stage 7. His quality of life seemed the same, but she absolutely blossomed in the facility.

HB

DCCEPEK · December 16

My mil was blind in addition to Alzheimers. RIP

I would let her fold wash clothes and keep telling her more were in the the dryer.

They don't know they're folding the same 100 clothes again. Depends on attention span.

A dust mop

Biggles · December 16

My darling DH doesn’t want to do anything anymore except be interested in my life. I have almost come to terms with this, we do everything together starting with breakfast outside with the birds and our puppy, a walk along the marina and a milkshake, a painting class for me, my DH and puppy are included (he sits on a couch and generally sleeps), disability sailing ( he is craned and lowered into an unsinkable dingy and then a skipper takes him sailing) I also sail, we go slowly around a shopping centre. I garden when he sleeps, I sew and he sleeps on a sofa beside me we play soft music. I am trying to fill his and my days with all the kindest and nicest things I can think of. He gave me a wonderful life I want to give him as much as I can for as long as I can. It’s hard take care.

sandwichone123 · December 17

At my dh's memory care, activities include exercise class (active range of motion as a group), variations on hangman (the group chooses letters to solve the clue), complete the song or saying. The activities director paints their nails as an activity, and others. There's always calm music and they often play old shows or movies.

Dunno · December 17

The activity director posts pictures daily on Facebook, sometimes 20+ pictures of all sorts of activities. I usually zoom in on the ones of my DW and try to read her face. the downside to too much activity is overstimulation, i believe it can cause some agitation.

MN Chickadee · December 17

Most facilities have an activities calendar, if you tour some places you could request a copy to get an idea. My mother's place had group stretching and exercise, discussions led by a staff member, field trips, visiting animals, musicians, arts and crafts, a church service modified to be appropriate for folks with dementia. They had a golf cart to take people around outdoors to look around, a fenced in court yard and planted a garden in the spring and then caring for it was an optional activity. Some places are getting more into tech, with electronic games and visual reality equipment so people can explore the Alps or whatever. Most places will have a number of activities every day. And for those who needed more stimulation they would find extra things. My mom liked to keep busy and they would find things for her to help out with like folding wash cloths (dump out when she wasn't looking to repeat) and setting tables for meals.

You mention you are struggling with things for her to do now at home. Adult Day Care does most of the above activities, it's sort of like part-time memory care which you may want to look into if your area has it. Was an amazing resource for us to keep mom active and give us some respite. Here is a recent link that has some great responses on specific activities to do at home with a PWD.

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/227247#Comment_227247

JC5 · December 18

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/231277#Comment_231277

My husband sailed for years raced Ensign’s etc. He would love something like this. Where are you located and wondering how to find something similar near us !

Biggles · December 20

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/231351#Comment_231351

Hello JC5, we are located in Townsville, north Queensland. Sailability is a worldwide organisation; try searching Sailability near me. I am hoping we can continue sailing for some time but I can feel my DH slowly sinking. He is becoming less interested in everything, it makes me so sad. We raced dinghies, then keelboats under the JOG rules, then back to dinghies when our son sailed, then we went cruising (just us) the Whitsundays and coast; it was such a wonderful time. Our son is having difficulties accepting our situation, and I am hoping he will get involved with Sailability in Brisbane. I think it would help him understand people's vulnerability better. He, too, is a sailor.

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