Activities for Loved Ones With Dementia

Activities for Your Aging Loved One With Dementia

Gena Bertelsen  

Caring for a loved one with Dementia can be difficult at times and I am often asked if I know of any activities that could be used to engage the loved one.  I have compiled a few of those ideas here and hope that they can help make a difference in each day for you and your loved one.  (If you have other ideas you would like to share, please contact me!) Many of these tasks can be utilized almost every day. Just undo what was done and re-present it to your loved one. Always keep the level of decision making and safety in mind when choosing appropriate activities for your loved one.

There is an inherent need in every human being to be needed.  If you can present each task or activity with the phrase, “I need your help with…” it can make a huge difference in the life of your loved one.  Once you don’t feel needed you cannot find the joy or necessity in living.

· Sock Matching: Have a basket of various pairs of socks and ask loved one to match them for you.

· Puzzles:  Make sure pieces are large enough to pick up and see for your loved one but also NOT geared to children.

· Yarn Balls: This is a great activity for anyone who has crocheted or knitted in the past.  Ask loved one to roll skein of yarn into a ball for you.  You can undo the ball on another day and have them do it again.

· Coupon Clipping:  You can use almost any newspaper and a pair of scissors (keep your loved one’s level of safety and decision making in mind) and have loved one search for coupons that will save you money and cut them out.

· Music:  Having a CD full of music that your loved one grew up with can help calm and relax them.

· Laundry Folding: Have your loved one fold towels or shirts.  Never fix it in their presence, just praise them and thank them for the help.

· Caring for a Doll: This would be appropriate for late-stage dementia sufferers.  Having a doll to hold and care for can calm and relax them.

Diary of a Diabetic's Wife: What Happens If I Die Before He Does?

 Don't miss an entry from Chris Lee Pyne!  Check the blog weekly and click on her tab, Diary of a Diabetic's Wife for her entire story.  Please visit her support group at Diabetes Support Group for Spouses for ongoing dialogue and support.

Roger and Chris Pyne

I'd like to blog about feelings that I have on a regular basis. Thoughts that go through my mind such as: What happens if I die before him? Who will take care of him? Who will love him and be there for him when he's suffering from the some of the inevitable diabetes complications? If he dies before me how will I handle life when he's gone? Who will be there to help and support me?

I hate thinking those thoughts! I want to deny them and pretend they aren't going to happen. I'm frightened by it. I always wonder what the future holds for us and pray that we'll both be able to handle the cards that have been dealt us.

I know Roger has similar thoughts because he's expressed them to me before. It must be hard feeling like you're a burden to someone and that there isn't anything you can do about it. One thing that we've done as a couple is to get some things in order so that when we pass away it won't be quite as hard. We bought our burial plots, we have a pre-paid funeral plan. We feel so much more comfortable knowing that this has been done. I'm not sure what else we can do to prepare us for the future but when we figure them out we'll do it just so that we don't have to be a burden to anyone.

I love this quote:
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

I know Roger is being blessed even though there are days in which he feels he isn't. I know he realizes that things could be worse too. But together we'll take what God has given us and be grateful for each day.