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Activities for high functioning dementia
My MIL is high functioning. She can dress, eat, read(mostly newspapers, magazines with short stories, etc.) play easy card games, wash, dry and fold laundry and other familiar tasks.
Recently she became a wandering risk so now in memory care and is “bored” which often results in her becoming agitated. She is adjusting slowly to a new place to live as well.
My question is do you have other ideas for activities that have helped your loved one to pass the day. We work and can’t be with her every day which is what she really wants.
We have tried a wifi enabled digital photo frame but it may have been too much stimulation with so many pictures.
Thanks for any ideas you have!
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I will say that coloring and drawing keeps her calmed down, she goes to the general hall and does her drawings, gets her out of her room.
When my brother or I go there, she always has one ready for us, she is so proud when she hands them to us, of course we make a big deal out of it.
She gives her drawing to other residents as well and they hang them on their walls,
makes her feel needed and keeps a smile on her face!
I've learned that many still need to be doing something positive to keep them going, she is one of these people.
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2 ReactionsOh my goodness! Thank you all for this thread! I had forgotten how my mother used to doodle while she was on the phone, add cute illustrations to her junior high weekly assignment schedules, and what not. I am going to get some coloring books, colored pencils, markers and whatnot. Maybe she and I can color this afternoon!
Something else she has helped with was my yarn. I am knitting a blanket for her first great grandson (my great nephew). She isn’t sewing or knitting anymore, but she has balled about 20 skeins of yarn. She enjoyed having the task and saving me time. Plus, it kept her more cognizant of the baby coming in December!
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3 ReactionsMom and I sat at their kitchen table nearly two hours last night as she colored and I knit. She made several comments about how she had forgotten how much she liked the color and how much fun she was having. I really appreciate this group and someone’s mention of coloring books and puzzles. As frustrated as mom can get, it was such a blessing to have a few hours of her, smiling and enjoying the evening.
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2 Reactions@bookjockey My apologies for not giving you a warm welcome to the CaregiversSupport group! I’m so glad the you joined us. I didn’t get much done the past two days because i felt just awful! I’ve been trying to taper off prednisone, just like you trying to taper off venelfexine(?). I can’t seem to get below 4mgs. And now my grandchildren are here so I’m not going to taper until they’re gone!
Welcome and make yourself at home!
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