Activities for Mom with Dementia and Macular Degeneration

Posted by amrap @amrap, Sep 6 7:35am

My Mom has Dementia and Macular Degeneration. She is 87 years old and I am struggling to find activities she can enjoy. Up until a year ago, she enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She has low vision and her former hobbies hold annoyance/anxiety and no joy. I moved in with her 4 months ago because she can no longer be left alone. My husband has been more loving and supportive than I could ever imagine. I quit my full time job to provide the care my Mom now needs. I love my Mom and want to see her find some joy in her life now. She suffers from depression and any activities she can no longer perform only exacerbate the depression. Thanks to all the caregivers for helping me know that I am not alone. I welcome any suggestions on activities that Mom would enjoy with her current Dementia and Vision Limitations.

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amrap | @amrap | Sep 8 6:55am

Thanks to all that have responded, I appreciate all the suggestions. I started reading to Mom last night and she really enjoyed it. She asked if we could set up a regular schedule for reading to her. We got through chapter 1 and this morning she asked for a 10 word recap of the last chapter before we start chapter 2 tonight. I am choosing to be grateful and happy that she remembers that I read to her and not sad that she needs a recap because of her short term memory loss. The fact that she remembers and is looking forward to me reading to her tonight is a win that I will take with JOY!!
The large puzzle pieces suggestion is a good one. We tried one and Mom is with it enough to get aggravated very quickly when she realizes she needs help with it. I will look at the options for turning photos into jigsaw puzzles and try again. That is the challenge of dementia and depression. What does not work today may work tomorrow. Hope springs eternal.
Finally, thank you for the reassurance that music can make a positive difference. Luckily, I love the same big band and 60s (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc,) singers that Mom enjoys. The music can be hit or miss depending on time of day. Sometimes it helps improve her mood and sometimes it sets off a depression spiral because it triggers long term memories that leave her crying and longing for family/friends that have gone home (her word for Heaven). All we can do is try and while hoping for the best, prepare for the worst.
I am amazed and thankful for all the caregivers that should be called warriors. We fight with a strength that comes from unconditional love and endless compassion that comes from our souls. We are many and not one of us is ever alone. Thank you all so very much!!