things to keep your spouse with early Alzheimer's busy

My situation diddo’s yours. My spouse happily spends time practicing his putting. It seems that this activity not only comforts him, but he is showing signs of improved thinking ability. If you have opportunity to sink cups into your back yard lawn it could give him a new, safe environment to peruse his love of golf through putting. Just my idea. Hope this helps you both!

I have an identical situtation. My wife was a highly accomplished executive and all she did was work. She does take singing classes, but they’re only offered a couple of time a year. She never developed any other hobbies and shows no interest in developing any. Like your husband, she is too functional to do mindless sorting etc. We do take walks around the neighborhood. We go to a local bar for a couple of wines most afternoons. Occasionally we’ll invite friends for wine and cheese. This year, I did hire a senior care service who provides a companion for her for 4 hours a week. She likes her companion and looks forward to her visits.

My husband is also a golfer and goes into a bit of a tailspin when the weather is bad and he can’t play. My solution has been to find a very complex character based jigsaw puzzle - I start it myself and keep saying how hard it is and I how I really need help with it. He’s now hooked to the point where I start it and he takes over - we have at least 25 puzzles now and there’s always one on the table. I keeps him totally engrossed so I can now do my own thing and he’s happy. Yesterday he asked for my help to finish one so we had a nice hour together. Might help hopefully? I love the putting idea but my man will not entertain the idea

@dbamos1945
I don’t know how bad your husband is.
My thought if he is capable
maybe bag groceries for a couple of hrs at a supermarket if he doesn’t wander.
He has to feel he is needed.

@joycel10: So kind of you to reach out to me with suggestions. I appreciate your concern! Thank you, Bette

I have the same concern as you, and sometimes I think I worry more than he does about his activities. At the end of the day, he often tells me he had a good day. He has lost a bit of initiative over the past year, but he enjoys doing puzzles, talking long walks in the park nearby, and gardening when we are in the countryside.
He used to love reading, but for about a year now it’s no longer possible because he can’t remember what he has read. However, he has a strong interest in global geopolitics and enjoys listening to and watching podcasts featuring seasoned analysts discussing various events around the world. Unlike a book, where he has to remember characters, these podcasts require less short-term memory, and he remains very present in the here and now.
I find it much more meaningful to see him on his iPad listening to and watching this kind of analysis—which stimulates his intellect and his existing knowledge of history, geography, society, and politics—than to see him watching TV all day long.

@hjh
I wish my husband still did puzzles. He went through a serious puzzle phase. He spent most of the day doing puzzles, then a switch was flipped and suddenly he either lost interest or they became too challenging (even though I would buy easy ones). Now he's moved on to word search puzzles, but they don't occupy him as long.

I appreciate all the comments suggested to keep our memory-challenged spouses occupied.
These activities might be helpful to younger spouses. My husband is 93 years old and I am 84.
His (and my) physical activities are quite limited. As a former professor of philosophy, he is
now unable to read and has never enjoyed games or puzzles. He does like to listen to music
but needs more stimulation. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for this question! I have a similar situation, and will be interested in the comments. I’ve suggested some activities, but he doesn’t seem interested in them…