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Activity/Busy Work Ideas

grace7809
grace7809 Member Posts: 1 Member
Hello everyone! My mom (61) is in mid-stage dementia right now. She lives at home with my dad (61) and me (27). My dad and I work full-time, and we have cobbled together paid and unpaid caregivers/friends who come hang out with her at the house while we are at work. Recently she has been trying more often to leave the house and drive places (we have taken her keys so she cannot). We are looking for ways to keep her occupied and distract her in those moments. We tried taking her to a "day care" type place. It was an amazing facility with great staff and activities, but she hated it, partially because everyone was so much older than her and partially because she felt it was a waste of time. She has a high need to be productive and feel helpful, so she has no interest in the typical activities like puzzles or movies. For context, before dementia she worked full-time as an administrative assistant, did the taxes for my parents and my dad's business, and ran a large food pantry program at church. These are the things she seems to be missing, as she is always saying she's leaving for work or a food pantry meeting. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas for things that would help scratch that itch.

Comments

  • idbehappy2
    idbehappy2 Member Posts: 3
    Second Anniversary First Comment
    Member

    Could she still help at the food pantry somehow even in a small way? Maybe if they understand her situation she could do something to feel she is being productive.

  • SusanB-dil
    SusanB-dil Member Posts: 1,476
    1000 Comments 250 Likes 100 Care Reactions Third Anniversary
    Member

    Hi Grace - welcome to 'here', but sorry for the reason.

    I am agreeing with idbehappy2. Perhaps the food pantry could find something for her to do maybe a day or 2 a week? Can she still sort through items?

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 2,024
    500 Insightfuls Reactions 500 Likes 1000 Comments 500 Care Reactions
    Member

    Welcome. So sorry about your Mom. Does she help at home? Simple things like folding clothes, sorting objects, dusting, sorting photos might help. My DH would sit for hours and rearrange the pantry. I saw a video where a caregiver gave her Dad 3 different colors of sweetener packets and 3 bins and he sat and sorted them over and over. Also your Mom still thinks she has the job to go to. That’s very common. Also make sure there are locks on the inside of the doors at home that she can’t open so she can’t leave and wander.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more