Activities for Those with Alzheimer's or Dementia

Over the past week I have been able to make suggestion to several caregivers who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or Dementia.  One of their biggest struggles is "I can't get anything done!  Mom follows me everywhere!" I have experienced this while being a caregiver as well hear about it in almost every CARE meeting. What I realized from these situations is that it is human nature to be needed. In fact, as soon as that feeling of being needed is gone, one can feel as if there is no reason to continue living. We all need to be needed.

How do you help your loved one feel needed, especially when their activities of daily living are limited? Have activities, that are appropriate for their activity level, set aside to do. I like to ask the caregiver what their loved one was interested in. Did they crochet or do handiwork? Did they work with wood or tools? Can they still read?  After finding their interests, I suggest very simple tasks that you ask them to "help" you with.  It is very important to phrase it in this way..."Mom, I need some help with __________. Could you help me?" You have now given them a sense of being needed as well as something to keep their mind and hands busy.

Here are some ideas for activities to keep your loved one engaged. Keep in mind their level of cognition when choosing an activity. You don't want them to be frustrated because they can't remember how to accomplish the task. Also, if your loved one doesn't seem to connect to the activity, don't force it...have plan B available.

*Have a basketful of many pairs of socks and have them match socks up.

*Rolling skeins of yarn into balls of yarn.

*Putting puzzles together.

*Sorting pictures or papers.

*Sorting any small objects such as buttons or loose change.

*Clipping pictures out of magazines (maybe all pictures of children or animals).

*Polish silver.

*Write letters or cards to family members.

*Put together nuts and bolts.

*Shredding papers (by hand)

Of course, only utilize activities that are appropriate for your loved one.  If they have a habit of putting things in their mouth, don't have them sort buttons or change!

One resident of a facility I visit often, was and engineer and was always busy with his hands.  I have been so impressed when I stop in to say hello that family and staff have realized how much a part of his life this is and they supply him with an engineering magazine and a large bolt with a nut that he is constantly manipulating with his fingers. He doesn't actually read the magazine but I am sure it is a comfort for him to have it in his reach.

On the last suggestion of shredding paper, I had a caregiver tell me that he had his dad shred all paper, by hand, into a trash can while he watched old movies.  He had told him he was concerned about identity theft and needed the papers shredded quite small.  This was a daily activity that kept dad very busy.

I would love to hear your ideas on activities that could be utilized so I can share them with others! Leave a comment or send me an email!