My father-in-law is affected by Dementia - Alzheimer since 6 years. It is slightly advanced. He passes urine sometimes in bed or floor. Also sometimes tendency to remove clothing, age is 82 years.
Is there any activity that can keep him engaged as sometimes he gets very irritable and agitated and sometimes difficult to control?
Please advise
Thanks for tip - Mohan
With advanced dementia, it's rather difficult to create activities that the patient can engage in, since their focus is extremely limited. You can try various things and see, but my loved one, who has advanced dementia, seems to only be amused by simple jewelry. She likes necklaces of colorful beads and bracelets. She looks at the them and that's about it. Sometimes she looks at pictures of cats that are at her eye level, but sometimes she will tear them down and rip them to pieces. She doesn't realize she's doing it.
In Memory Care units, they have the residents move their feet and arms about, and they have some play BINGO, though that skill is not likely to last for long.
I have heard of providing them a bowl of buttons and ask them to find the red button in a bowl of other colors. If they are able to stay focused, this can amuse them for long periods, though they may need reminding of what they are looking for. This activity must be supervised, since they could ingest the buttons.
There are devices available on line that are designed for dementia patients. It's like a board with buttons to button, zippers to zip, velco to fasten, etc. It gives them things to do with their hands.
If your FIL is too advanced to do these activities, then you might consider playing his favorite music, gentle massage and pleasant fragrances. Perhaps reading to him from something he used to enjoy, such as sports hero stories or looking at photo albums of family members. Is he able to go outside and enjoy trees, fresh air?
If he is highly agitated, I would work with his doctor and/or a geriactric psychiatrist do find a medication to help him. My loved one is very distraught and fearful without medication, but Cymbalta worked miracles for her and now she is very content. I would strongly encourage you to explore his options. When he's not so agitated, he might be able to focus on activities more.
I have had to adjust to the fact that my loved one is becoming less amused in any activity. Some residents seem to stare and do not respond to anything. Maybe others here can help give you advice about that situation.
If he is in a Memory Care facility, they should be helping you with this.
Thanks Mohan
Boredom is so cruel. As we age, our physical limitations also limit mental stimulation that we would otherwise get by gardening, or taking a quick walk. Dementia robbed my mom of being able to concentrate enough to read much,
so I put a TV in her room. She could watch info-mercials for hours :) but if I found an old movie (from her era) it was comforting to her. Took away some of the irritability.
She also liked looking at old family picture albums.
Other point mentioned by you about old albums am going to check now.
He does not seem interested in watching movie but have not tried old movie - have to try that.
One thing have understood is that only people who are facing this on daily basis like you all will be able to share their experience and assist.
Thanks Mohan
Give FIL a deck of cards (or part of one) Ask him to put all the red cards in one pile. (or Black or picture cards, etc)
Have him help fold laundry - face cloths and hand towels work best. (Actually, memory care places have a bin of items used just for this purpose)
One center had a video/DVD of music from the 20s - 40s with the words in large type on the screen for a sing-a-long.
ANYTHING that FIL did in his younger days works. Singing - old songs, playing catch out on the lawn with a larger ball, a tossing game - use a bean bag type thing and set out circles (embroidery rings) and have a toss at the rings. It helps focus, creates moderate movement and my Mom was SO-o competitive, she really took it seriously!
Little outings (SHORT) can help create action for dementia sufferers. A trip Walk or wheel chair through a park. Watching a few innings of a little league game, visiting a play ground and watching the children on the swings, etc. We used to take my Mom to an ice cream parlor - where she could sit and eat a cup after looking at the flavors (You'll likely have to make a decision for him as this might go on forever : - )). Did anyone mention puzzles yet? BUT one with large and a limited number of pieces. Start with 12 and see how he does. Hope this sparks some ideas.
InHome Activities for Carers mainzone website
Activities for Caregivers and AD Clients should be considered as a part of a complete care program unless they are objected to by the client.
FIL enjoyed a harmonica, simple keyboard with preprogrammed songs too, a triangle, snapapart beads designed for children, wooden puzzles (jigsaws were beyond his capability) colorforms, matching the cards type games. A pinwheel kept him blowing increasing his breathing. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.