What can I do to keep him busy?

If he is interested in music, you might consider having different music available for the time of day. Morning music, mid-morning maybe something more motivational, afternoon might be oldies, and evening would be calming.

If expectations are that there will be further cognitive decline, you might want to think of the music as ways to cue him to what’s next. Some of this could just be played loudly on your phone - something that might cue that a meal is next, or it’s time to get in the car. It takes a while to form a habit, and with slow cognitive processing may take longer to connect the music to an activity. But if it works, it might save you from having to use so many verbal reminders, and maybe decrease his agitation because he feels like he knows what is coming next.

If you played the same song every evening before dinner, something that he connects to a good time eating, it might make transitioning to dinner more smooth. If he is not paying attention to a clock/watch, is not as aware that meal prep is happening, music could become his way to “tell time”.

I have a different take on this "keep busy" approach. Why? Maybe the Alzheimer's patient really just wants to sit and stare out the window or sleep with the TV on, the way my husband does. My husband used to play racquetball three times a week and Ultimate frisbee every weekend. He used to do crossword puzzles and Sudoku. Now he does none of those things. I always say, If you want to know what someone wants, look at what they have. I think that's particularly true of old people. We've had enough time to reach whatever point our life has been headed for and here we are. If my husband wants to watch endless reruns of "Friends" and hates to miss "Wheel of Fortune," I'm happy for him to do so. He usually falls asleep anyway. We'll all meet the Big Sleep at some point. Maybe this is just nature's way of easing us into it. Good food, a peaceful home, and a quiet life. Those are what my husband needs right now, and I can provide those. He's still able to do the things he wants to do: visit his favorite coffee shop--where he tells the same stories over and over. At least I don't have to listen to them for a couple of hours a day. Or he goes to the library to get books for me or the supermarket for bananas or orange juice. He feels useful and as independent as he's able to. The decline is obvious. I'm going to let him go at his own pace.

Youtube music is free, and I can always find the song I want after typing the name into the search bar. You can request a 'station', so if he likes rock, opera or rock opera, whatever, you can find someone who has uploaded the music he likes so you won't have to hassle with trying to retrieve his favorites.

If your spouse likes puzzles, this is a great idea. Several years ago a member told me about this site and I just love it! We made portrait puzzles for our sons and their families and they were a big hit!
https://www.portraitpuzzles.com/custom-photo-puzzle-16x20-100-piece/?
All the responses here have given me so many good ideas that they fill a spiral notebook! Thank you, everyone!

With DW, I tell her let's go drive through the park. She says ok, but we're not going to walk are we? I tell her no, but then when we get there I say let's just park and walk a little bit. She reluctantly agrees, and gets some exercise plus it's a beautiful forest preserve and a great place to be in nature and occasionally see a deer or owl. Is that deceptive? Maybe, but it works and we both benefit.

Thank you for your creative ideas and suggestions that must have taken some focused thought!

My husband has LBD that was diagnosed 2 years ago, but showed symptoms a few years before that.
Would it help your husband if he had a close friend or family member that could “show up for a visit and happened to have a puzzle she/he wanted to work on? That’s what happened with us. His companion suggested puzzles after he had refused to do them when I suggested it! Can a special friend drop in for a visit? I find if my husband has someone to talk to besides me he is far more engaged. He also has a friend that comes to get him once a week for a long coffee house break. Can your husband go out with other people? You’re not walking this rocky road alone. C.

You are describing my spouse. He just wants to watch the news or some show that makes no sense to me..how does he get it? He does not. He wants me to fix him food and help him get cleaned up. I do and it takes longer as time goes by( hygiene is not important to him anymore). I have to bribe him to get cleaned up so he can go out. Half the time it is ok. Sometimes not. I don't what to be negative..but I weigh 115 lbs to his 195. I am exhausted emotionally and physically.

I empathize with all the comments. My husband has no interests anymore and he cannot follow the plot in tv shows and movies. He likes to go to the supermarket but that's not every day. I have no companionship anymore. He barely talks to me.

I totally get it. I feel like I live alone..but with all the responsibilities.