Re: Ideas for things for Dad to Do ?

[Guest guest]

joni,

are you looking for activities or chores,

possibly putting address labels on envelops and stamps,

sticker books,

clay,

folding laundry matching socks,

sorting silverware

coloring books

just a few off the top o my sleepy head

good luck and hugs, sharon m

---- jonibeachbound wrote:

Hello Group,

Looking to see if anyone has any suggestions that my 70 year old father

can do while he is at home to keep him busy to try and keep his

hallucinations at a minimum. He is limited because of his COPD so he

can not lift or carry anything. He spends all of his time during the

day watching TV, I've tried getting him puzzles, but that was a bit

dificult for him to stay focused on, I've also tried word-find puzzle's

but that didn't last long..

Does anyone have any suggestions ? He plays constantly with his wallet

opening it up, and putting it into different pockets in his pants.

He's so cute when he does this

Just thought I would check to see if anyone has had any good ideas !!

Thanks,

Joni

--

Daugher of Leonard, diag May 2004, had lbd since 1993, had hip surgery from fall

7/05, aspiration pneumonia 7/05 with pulmonary embolyis, had aspiration

pneumonia and uti 8/05, died of blood pressure drop on 9/25/05,

may he rest in peace with his mom and dad,

a smile a day keeps the meanies away

[Guest guest]

Joni,

It sounds like you would like him to keep himself busy? Most anything Mom tried

to do, I had to site and work with her. Even cutting coupons.

The thinking process is far to difficult for them. Have you considered day

care. They do activities and have people with them to help them do the

activities.

Ball toss, was very enjoyable for Mom especially when she could kick it. (She

kicked hard!)

She and I could rake leafs and she made piles and I picked them up. Actually, I

did more of her work than my own when we raked. But she loved telling people

she raked. (Liked being useful.)

On one of the caregivers mag. they have an activity box for men. I think it has

some harmless tools and things you can do? I have never looked at it. If you

are interested let me know and I will try and find it.

He could sort photos if you have some that he can just look through. And maybe

he could put them in a simple picture book.

The other thing they have on that caregiver site is 101 activities you can do

with a person with dementia. I might even have the list in one of my folders.

Hope this helps.

Donna R

Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in

a nh.

She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine.

Re: Ideas for things for Dad to Do ?

joni,

are you looking for activities or chores,

possibly putting address labels on envelops and stamps,

sticker books,

clay,

folding laundry matching socks,

sorting silverware

coloring books

just a few off the top o my sleepy head

good luck and hugs, sharon m

---- jonibeachbound wrote:

Hello Group,

Looking to see if anyone has any suggestions that my 70 year old father

can do while he is at home to keep him busy to try and keep his

hallucinations at a minimum. He is limited because of his COPD so he

can not lift or carry anything. He spends all of his time during the

day watching TV, I've tried getting him puzzles, but that was a bit

dificult for him to stay focused on, I've also tried word-find puzzle's

but that didn't last long..

Does anyone have any suggestions ? He plays constantly with his wallet

opening it up, and putting it into different pockets in his pants.

He's so cute when he does this

Just thought I would check to see if anyone has had any good ideas !!

Thanks,

Joni

--

Daugher of Leonard, diag May 2004, had lbd since 1993, had hip surgery from fall

7/05, aspiration pneumonia 7/05 with pulmonary embolyis, had aspiration

pneumonia and uti 8/05, died of blood pressure drop on 9/25/05,

may he rest in peace with his mom and dad,

a smile a day keeps the meanies away

[Guest guest]

Copy/Pasted a previous message from this board + added additional new

finds...

Have most of the following in mom's bureau drawers at the NH -- I

refer them to her " Activity Drawers "

I have all the small things in a tupperware bin...

* Balls - those kind that are like exercise balls for the hands -

have 5-6 of those: couple of them light up, one has water inside, all

have a different texture type. I felt that it would help if mom

squeezed them and maybe tossed from one hand to the other. She does

like the feel of them in her hands. We play toss with them too.

* Exercise pedaler -

http://www.drleonards.com/detail.cfm?EDP=10006542

* Children's Knitting Kit - Bought this b/c the yarns were so bright

and colorful and the needles were plastic. Had a miraculous day

recently where she actually knitted a few by herself. (bought at

Border's Book Store)

* Dominoes

* Playing Cards (large type) - Played " Go Fish " - with made up rules.

* Photo Album - Bought a 3-ring binder and clear plastic sleeves.

Took the 'cream of the crop' photos to a copier and had 8x10 colored

copies made. That way the originals are not lost - and the books

stays with her in the NH. Used a family portrait on the front cover

of the book -- the " title " of the book.

* Magnetic letters on a cookie sheet -- to organize and/or spell

things out.

* Couple of Big Picture Books & Magazines:

http://www.reminisce.com/Default.asp?r_d=y

* Flash Cards - no kiddie pictures on them, just words. Everytime I

visit she likes to read whatever phrase is on my T-shirt and the

signs in the NH. I feel books/magazines are too wordy for her to

grasp so reading the words from the flash cards allows her a sense of

accomplishment...

* Couple of Books with short stories for me to read to her - was

going to get the large type books but she was never a reader anyway

so decided to get short stories for me to read to her instead.

Recently she saw some Spanish print and was translating it so also

purchased some children's Spanish religious books

* Slinky - she likes to hold it.

* Mini-paper doll thing using felt instead of paper

* Little stuffed dog - her beloved yorkie was always on her lap - so

I thought she might like this stuffed dog on her lap to pat - to give

comfort.

* Stuffed Bears - you're never to old to hold onto a stuffed animal

for comfort.

* Connect Four -- also large legos and Jenga

* Mardi Gras beads - just to look at and hold with it's bright colors.

* Reminiscing Boxes - Have two boxes in her room. One is arts &

crafts themed with zippers, material, yarn, etc. -- even just opening

the boxes and looking at the contents helps. The other is all the

games here listed in a box (cards, dominoes, dice) -- they're all in

one box so that mom can just open and look through it w/out actually

doing stuff with the contents, if that's all she's up to. For ideas

go here:

http://www.totalqualitycare.com/products.html

http://www.bifolkal.org/

* Paint by Numbers kit - but haven't attempted this yet.

* Paint a bird house kit - found these in the dollar store - bought

them all for the NH residents.

* Having lots of luck with " Finish the Phrase " games -- have two

ideas in this area:

http://www.game-board.com/game.html

http://www.vnsa.com/Resources_therapy1.aspx

(the 2nd link has sample pages so you can print them out and see if

it works before purchasing the book)

* Coloring Books and Paper Doll kits - there's a wide variety that

are adult'ish here: http://store.doverpublications.com/

(Also bought books of postcards on this site -- so mom can pick a

postcard to write on (I write) to her friends... Cheap prices!

And sample pages to print for free on the site above...

* Jigsaw Puzzle - you can get jigsaw puzzles with just 24 pieces

here: http://www.enasco.com/senioractivities/

* Bright pink pom pom scarf - saw it and thought it would be a

comforting thing to hold and mom did enjoy trying to rip off the pom

poms. LOL

* Yatzee - got the dice and the book (the book is for my benefit)

* Circle a Word book

* Magnetic Shape Toy - it's a toy with shapes and it's magnetic to

allow you to build other shapes (??)

* Hand Exercise Gripper thing - it's a real exercise thing for the

hands - don't know what you call it - mom actually used this for a

bit - but it was probably by memory b/c she had broke her wrist years

ago and she had to use this thing daily as part of therapy.

* Think that's it - except that mom has tons of ballet videos to

watch and tons of CDs with a wide variety of music she enjoys (

Boccelli, classical, religious, bachatas, Spanish, ballet, etc.)

Definitely see a difference with her when she listens to music she

loves. One visit she was very coma-like in her chair and she became

much more alert with the bachatas - it even triggered her trying to

communicate about Dom. Rep. - although she couldn't get many words

out I knew what she was trying to say... And had a great visit

recently while listening to Fiddler on the Roof (mom actually clapped

along with one of the songs) - which led me to want to get more

soundtracks of musicals...

* I'm always picking up something at stores like KMart and Target and

the dollar store - thinking I'll find some miraculous thing she'll

enjoy. It's kind of an addictive habit lately. If you haven't figured

it out - I'm the type of person who is always trying to " fix "

things...

* Oh - and one thing I intend to get but haven't yet - a gardening

kit - mom was an avid gardener and I think I'll be successful with

that. Let her get her hands dirty with the soil. It'll have to be

small enough for the nursing home... http://www.windowbox.com/

Hope the above helps...

Definitely search this site:

http://www.enasco.com/senioractivities/

It has tons of activities available all on one site.

[Guest guest]

What a wonderful list of ideas for things to do. I take care of my Dad who is

in the advanced stages of LBD. He presently is unable to make a simple

sentencex and can no longer walk and has developed a huge bed wore on his

heel. Hospice comes 3 times a week and on emergencies.. It has been a real

struggle since April of this year. I have help 4 days a week while I work and

then I do the rest in the evening and weekends. It has been a real struggle as

I have no family to help. Some of these activities I feel are very useful as at

times, mainly at night, my Dad experiences severe bouts of aggitation and no

medication seems to touch this. Perhaps one of these activities listed would

help to distract him from the aggitation until he is able to calm down.

wrote: Copy/Pasted a previous message

from this board + added additional new

finds...

Have most of the following in mom's bureau drawers at the NH -- I

refer them to her " Activity Drawers "

[Guest guest]

Hi Joni,

At first I would try to get mom interested in painting, puzzles, etc. but

she lost interest. She would, however, spend a lot of time taking tissues

out of kleenex boxes and folding them out. Also, I put together a couple

of small boxes with family photos, some of her personal effects, plastic

measuring spoons, tools (basically anything that she couldn't get into too

much trouble with) and mom would look at all these items and pass them from

one box to the other. Also, folding clothes was good for a while. I'd ask

her to help me " fold " while I did the rest of the house work. After a

while when mom's disease really progressed my sister brought her a doll and

mom loved it because she thought it was a real baby. Mom ended up having 7

" babies " . There was one person on this list whose father really loved his

baby doll (I'm sorry that I have forgotten who it was).

Best,

Courage

[Guest guest]

Thank you , This is great. I know that our loved ones must be

treated with dignity and respect as adults, yet in many ways they are children.

You

are so right in the activities you have suggested, just as Sharon M.

suggested. These are types of things a three or four year old enjoy. We don't

want

to give them little kid toys, yet we want to give them things little kids

enjoy.

I recall my grandmother gave me an old purse. It had a wonderful snap lock

on the top. Oh, how I loved to snap the purse open and closed all the time,

Until my mother got rid of it. Small children love to open and close things

with their " treasures " in it.

Imogene

Caregiver for my True Texas Gentleman husband of 35 years. He has LBD with

Parkinsonism.

In a message dated 9/12/2006 5:04:47 AM Central Daylight Time,

octoryrose@... writes:

Copy/Pasted a previous message from this board + added additional new

finds...

Have most of the following in mom's bureau drawers at the NH -- I

refer them to her " Activity Drawers "

I have all the small things in a tupperware bin...

* Balls - those kind that are like exercise balls for the hands -

have 5-6 of those: couple of them light up, one has water inside, all

have a different texture type. I felt that it would help if mom

squeezed them and maybe tossed from one hand to the other. She does

like the feel of them in her hands. We play toss with them too.

* Exercise pedaler -

_http://www.drleonarhttp://www.drlhttp://www.drleo_

(http://www.drleonards.com/detail.cfm?EDP=10006542)

* Children's Knitting Kit - Bought this b/c the yarns were so bright

and colorful and the needles were plastic. Had a miraculous day

recently where she actually knitted a few by herself. (bought at

Border's Book Store)

* Dominoes

* Playing Cards (large type) - Played " Go Fish " - with made up rules.

* Photo Album - Bought a 3-ring binder and clear plastic sleeves.

Took the 'cream of the crop' photos to a copier and had 8x10 colored

copies made. That way the originals are not lost - and the books

stays with her in the NH. Used a family portrait on the front cover

of the book -- the " title " of the book.

* Magnetic letters on a cookie sheet -- to organize and/or spell

things out.

* Couple of Big Picture Books & Magazines:

_http://www.reminischttp://www.remhttp://ww_

(http://www.reminisce.com/Default.asp?r_d=y)

* Flash Cards - no kiddie pictures on them, just words. Everytime I

visit she likes to read whatever phrase is on my T-shirt and the

signs in the NH. I feel books/magazines are too wordy for her to

grasp so reading the words from the flash cards allows her a sense of

accomplishment.ac

* Couple of Books with short stories for me to read to her - was

going to get the large type books but she was never a reader anyway

so decided to get short stories for me to read to her instead.

Recently she saw some Spanish print and was translating it so also

purchased some children's Spanish religious books

* Slinky - she likes to hold it.

* Mini-paper doll thing using felt instead of paper

* Little stuffed dog - her beloved yorkie was always on her lap - so

I thought she might like this stuffed dog on her lap to pat - to give

comfort.

* Stuffed Bears - you're never to old to hold onto a stuffed animal

for comfort.

* Connect Four -- also large legos and Jenga

* Mardi Gras beads - just to look at and hold with it's bright colors.

* Reminiscing Boxes - Have two boxes in her room. One is arts &

crafts themed with zippers, material, yarn, etc. -- even just opening

the boxes and looking at the contents helps. The other is all the

games here listed in a box (cards, dominoes, dice) -- they're all in

one box so that mom can just open and look through it w/out actually

doing stuff with the contents, if that's all she's up to. For ideas

go here:

_http://www.totalquahttp://wwhttp://www.tohttp_

(http://www.totalqualitycare.com/products.html)

_http://www.bifolkalhttp:_ (http://www.bifolkal.org/)

* Paint by Numbers kit - but haven't attempted this yet.

* Paint a bird house kit - found these in the dollar store - bought

them all for the NH residents.

* Having lots of luck with " Finish the Phrase " games -- have two

ideas in this area:

_http://www.game-http://wwwhttp://ww_ (http://www.game-board.com/game.html)

_http://www.vnsa.http://www.vnshttp://wwhttp_

(http://www.vnsa.com/Resources_therapy1.aspx)

(the 2nd link has sample pages so you can print them out and see if

it works before purchasing the book)

* Coloring Books and Paper Doll kits - there's a wide variety that

are adult'ish here: _http://store.http://store.<WBhttp:/_

(http://store.doverpublications.com/)

(Also bought books of postcards on this site -- so mom can pick a

postcard to write on (I write) to her friends... Cheap prices!

And sample pages to print for free on the site above...

* Jigsaw Puzzle - you can get jigsaw puzzles with just 24 pieces

here: _http://www.enasco.http://www.enaschttp:_

(http://www.enasco.com/senioractivities/)

* Bright pink pom pom scarf - saw it and thought it would be a

comforting thing to hold and mom did enjoy trying to rip off the pom

poms. LOL

* Yatzee - got the dice and the book (the book is for my benefit)

* Circle a Word book

* Magnetic Shape Toy - it's a toy with shapes and it's magnetic to

allow you to build other shapes (??)

* Hand Exercise Gripper thing - it's a real exercise thing for the

hands - don't know what you call it - mom actually used this for a

bit - but it was probably by memory b/c she had broke her wrist years

ago and she had to use this thing daily as part of therapy.

* Think that's it - except that mom has tons of ballet videos to

watch and tons of CDs with a wide variety of music she enjoys (

Boccelli, classical, religious, bachatas, Spanish, ballet, etc.)

Definitely see a difference with her when she listens to music she

loves. One visit she was very coma-like in her chair and she became

much more alert with the bachatas - it even triggered her trying to

communicate about Dom. Rep. - although she couldn't get many words

out I knew what she was trying to say... And had a great visit

recently while listening to Fiddler on the Roof (mom actually clapped

along with one of the songs) - which led me to want to get more

soundtracks of musicals...

* I'm always picking up something at stores like KMart and Target and

the dollar store - thinking I'll find some miraculous thing she'll

enjoy. It's kind of an addictive habit lately. If you haven't figured

it out - I'm the type of person who is always trying to " fix "

things...

* Oh - and one thing I intend to get but haven't yet - a gardening

kit - mom was an avid gardener and I think I'll be successful with

that. Let her get her hands dirty with the soil. It'll have to be

small enough for the nursing home... _http://www.windowbohttp:/_

(http://www.windowbox.com/)

Hope the above helps...

Definitely search this site:

_http://www.enasco.http://www.enaschttp:_

(http://www.enasco.com/senioractivities/)

It has tons of activities available all on one site.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the tips...I'm sure I can use a couple of these !!!

Joni

LadySmilingAtU2@... wrote:

joni,

are you looking for activities or chores,

possibly putting address labels on envelops and stamps,

sticker books,

clay,

folding laundry matching socks,

sorting silverware

coloring books

just a few off the top o my sleepy head

good luck and hugs, sharon m

---- jonibeachbound wrote:

Hello Group,

Looking to see if anyone has any suggestions that my 70 year old father

can do while he is at home to keep him busy to try and keep his

hallucinations at a minimum. He is limited because of his COPD so he

can not lift or carry anything. He spends all of his time during the

day watching TV, I've tried getting him puzzles, but that was a bit

dificult for him to stay focused on, I've also tried word-find puzzle's

but that didn't last long..

Does anyone have any suggestions ? He plays constantly with his wallet

opening it up, and putting it into different pockets in his pants.

He's so cute when he does this

Just thought I would check to see if anyone has had any good ideas !!

Thanks,

Joni

--

Daugher of Leonard, diag May 2004, had lbd since 1993, had hip surgery from fall

7/05, aspiration pneumonia 7/05 with pulmonary embolyis, had aspiration

pneumonia and uti 8/05, died of blood pressure drop on 9/25/05,

may he rest in peace with his mom and dad,

a smile a day keeps the meanies away

---------------------------------

Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

Daycare isn't an option for him...he gets to paranoid if he is out of his

element....and for being outside it's hard because he has emphysema....but the

coupon suggestions is great...I'll try that !!

Thanks !!

Donna Mido wrote:

Joni,

It sounds like you would like him to keep himself busy? Most anything Mom tried

to do, I had to site and work with her. Even cutting coupons.

The thinking process is far to difficult for them. Have you considered day care.

They do activities and have people with them to help them do the activities.

Ball toss, was very enjoyable for Mom especially when she could kick it. (She

kicked hard!)

She and I could rake leafs and she made piles and I picked them up. Actually, I

did more of her work than my own when we raked. But she loved telling people she

raked. (Liked being useful.)

On one of the caregivers mag. they have an activity box for men. I think it has

some harmless tools and things you can do? I have never looked at it. If you are

interested let me know and I will try and find it.

He could sort photos if you have some that he can just look through. And maybe

he could put them in a simple picture book.

The other thing they have on that caregiver site is 101 activities you can do

with a person with dementia. I might even have the list in one of my folders.

Hope this helps.

Donna R

Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in

a nh.

She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine.

Re: Ideas for things for Dad to Do ?

joni,

are you looking for activities or chores,

possibly putting address labels on envelops and stamps,

sticker books,

clay,

folding laundry matching socks,

sorting silverware

coloring books

just a few off the top o my sleepy head

good luck and hugs, sharon m

---- jonibeachbound wrote:

Hello Group,

Looking to see if anyone has any suggestions that my 70 year old father

can do while he is at home to keep him busy to try and keep his

hallucinations at a minimum. He is limited because of his COPD so he

can not lift or carry anything. He spends all of his time during the

day watching TV, I've tried getting him puzzles, but that was a bit

dificult for him to stay focused on, I've also tried word-find puzzle's

but that didn't last long..

Does anyone have any suggestions ? He plays constantly with his wallet

opening it up, and putting it into different pockets in his pants.

He's so cute when he does this

Just thought I would check to see if anyone has had any good ideas !!

Thanks,

Joni

--

Daugher of Leonard, diag May 2004, had lbd since 1993, had hip surgery from fall

7/05, aspiration pneumonia 7/05 with pulmonary embolyis, had aspiration

pneumonia and uti 8/05, died of blood pressure drop on 9/25/05,

may he rest in peace with his mom and dad,

a smile a day keeps the meanies away

[Guest guest]

if he can cut coupons with the holidays coming maybe he can cut out some

deocorations or greeting cards, get a pair of fancy scissors that cut in shapes

instead of straight line, trace pics of leaves on fall colored paper and let

him cut them out, or christmas designs and then decorate his room ro windows

and doors, etc with waht he has cut out, walmart sells the sciccors in their

craft dept fairly cheap, so does dollar store, just a thought hugs sharon m

---- Joni Henry wrote:

Daycare isn't an option for him...he gets to paranoid if he is out of his

element....and for being outside it's hard because he has emphysema....but the

coupon suggestions is great...I'll try that !!

Thanks !!

Donna Mido wrote:

Joni,

It sounds like you would like him to keep himself busy? Most anything Mom tried

to do, I had to site and work with her. Even cutting coupons.

The thinking process is far to difficult for them. Have you considered day care.

They do activities and have people with them to help them do the activities.

Ball toss, was very enjoyable for Mom especially when she could kick it. (She

kicked hard!)

She and I could rake leafs and she made piles and I picked them up. Actually, I

did more of her work than my own when we raked. But she loved telling people she

raked. (Liked being useful.)

On one of the caregivers mag. they have an activity box for men. I think it has

some harmless tools and things you can do? I have never looked at it. If you are

interested let me know and I will try and find it.

He could sort photos if you have some that he can just look through. And maybe

he could put them in a simple picture book.

The other thing they have on that caregiver site is 101 activities you can do

with a person with dementia. I might even have the list in one of my folders.

Hope this helps.

Donna R

Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in

a nh.

She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine.

Re: Ideas for things for Dad to Do ?

joni,

are you looking for activities or chores,

possibly putting address labels on envelops and stamps,

sticker books,

clay,

folding laundry matching socks,

sorting silverware

coloring books

just a few off the top o my sleepy head

good luck and hugs, sharon m

---- jonibeachbound wrote:

Hello Group,

Looking to see if anyone has any suggestions that my 70 year old father

can do while he is at home to keep him busy to try and keep his

hallucinations at a minimum. He is limited because of his COPD so he

can not lift or carry anything. He spends all of his time during the

day watching TV, I've tried getting him puzzles, but that was a bit

dificult for him to stay focused on, I've also tried word-find puzzle's

but that didn't last long..

Does anyone have any suggestions ? He plays constantly with his wallet

opening it up, and putting it into different pockets in his pants.

He's so cute when he does this

Just thought I would check to see if anyone has had any good ideas !!

Thanks,

Joni

--

Daugher of Leonard, diag May 2004, had lbd since 1993, had hip surgery from fall

7/05, aspiration pneumonia 7/05 with pulmonary embolyis, had aspiration

pneumonia and uti 8/05, died of blood pressure drop on 9/25/05,

may he rest in peace with his mom and dad,

a smile a day keeps the meanies away

[Guest guest]

<snip>The other thing they have on that caregiver site is 101

activities you can do with a person with dementia. I might even have

the list in one of my folders.<snip>

(found it and added to links section...)

101 Things to Do With a Person With Alzheimer's Disease

http://www.ec-online.net/knowledge/Articles/101things.html

[Guest guest]

Joni,

Best wishes with your Dad. I too, am looking for things to do with my

Mom. The Neurophysc suggested a day care - I do not think Mom can take

that - she too, gets very paranoid outside her environment.

I've tried work puzzles, having her help me with some of my work, and

she will love to rake again this fall (although, we'll have to re-do it

and she'll get very tired, very quick).

Best Wishes to you and yours.

DONNA R. - Great idea the 101 activities, where can we find these? You

are always a wealth of information and I thank you for that.

Sorry I can not always be in communication with the group - things are

pretty hectic.

>