What can I have elder with mild dementia do at home instead of sleeping?

Kate47, I empathize with you, I really do! I work from home; my 86yo husband has dementia. Keeping him occupied is a big caregiving task. And, while doing things with him is wonderful, it isn't practical all the time if I am going to support us! These things help us:
1. Videos work better than television broadcasts, because the interuptions are eliminated. (Commercials or announcements can be very disruptive when attention spans are limited to begin with.) I find that familiar material works best, such as DVDs of older television series he used to watch. My husband also loves nature shows.
2. An exercise video is something he can do by himself. (The one he likes is from the National Institute of Health, for older adults.)
3. We have switched to single-use handtowels, and for this purpose I bought several dozen washclothes and several pretty baskets. I do the laundry but it is husband's responsibility to fold the small towels and put them into baskets. This is not busy work. We need the towels. We use them every day. It is a valuable chore. He can do it alone and I don't have to do it over.

Also, it is simply a reality that no one gets by doing only things they want to do. As our loved ones enter their 80s and 90s I think we wish we could alter that reality. Haven't they earned the right to do what they want? And haven't they got enough limitations in their lives as it is? As much as I want to compensate for the limitations dementia imposes and as much as I'd like to smooth all the bumps in the road for him, I had to face the fact that there were some things that had to happen whether he liked them or not. My husband did not want to go to an adult day program but I explained frankly that I was doing every thing I could think of to keep him at home with me instead of in a care center, and he would have to do his part, too. He went two or three times a week for four years (until his dementia progressed beyond the range of the program). I feel it was very good for him in other ways, but it was first and foremost respite for me. We both knew it.

Good luck ... and don't beat yourself up if you can't provide all the attention that you'd like to.

Hi Kate, So glad you started this thread. I am struggling with the same kinds of issues with my mom: she wants no part of day program / sr center. I think she lacks confidence in her self. We visited several times, she actually seemed to enjoy herself, but gave me a fit afterwards. The coordinator told me one daughter was determined her mom was going to go, and LIKE it!. She said it was a miserable couple months for mom and daughter, but one day, everything clicked and the mom then loved it. I don't think I could go thru that daily for months. My post and list are long, but I too need more ideas as she becomes more captivated by the lure of sleeping. Need things that are scaled back as decline progresses. Not sure if any of these will work for you. Try to think of the things she once liked and fit them to her current abilities. My mom was an active board member, socialite and loved to dance and play bridge. These are not options for her now though. Things I've found helpful: My mom had loved solitaire, we've got her playing FreeCell on a tablet. She will entertain herself pretty well, other than a little tech help, for a good while with this. We help her send some emails. I put the cable tv on music from her era--the 40's-they show the name of the artist, the song and a short, repeating ticker of simple human interest items about the artist/band/members. This usually will get her in a good mood, thus more interested in other things afterward, although she will listen happily for an hour after lunch. Sometimes we look up something on the internet taken from item noted on the tv music station. I try to have breakfast on the deck, and point out things for her to notice-which plants are blooming, whats ripening in the garden, etc., have put up bird feeders in yard, and hummer feeders on deck. Great source of entertainment and interest, visable from either deck or kitchen table. My mom shows some OCD tendencies and when she kept pointing out a dead leaf here or there on plants, I assigned her the task of plant groomer. I sit her at the table with a plant, trash can and scissors and she has at it. She does a great job, too! The other stuff around the house, folding, dusting etc, hasn't been as successful, I don't think she views it as important as the plant grooming expert! I keep a vase of cut flowers on the table, and she checks them daily to see if any need to be removed, water added. Other stuff we have done: plant seeds-veggies and annuals-in the spring. Started avocado plant. These required me to facilitate the process, but then I could have her check on them every day to see if germinated, if needed H2O etc. And now of course they are growing in the yard or garden and come inside as flowers or produce that she helped to grow. She is in charge of watering the plant on the front porch, and a tomato plant on the deck. Also some pansies this winter, and petunias this summer. I try to have her select between two options for a shopping decision, once or twice per errand trip, either of which would work. I also ask her opinion and for help with things I have under control, but she loves the feeling of helping and that I value her opinion. I've gotten her working on knitting, something she liked to do before she got sick. We now just do KnitKnitKnit scarves and have to have an index card that says "scarf for x- purple yarn. Cast on 40, then Knit Knit Knit.." We take a daily walk after dinner-the whole family--have her push a wheelchair until she is tired, then we push her around the neighborhood. People out in their yards, kids playing etc., often stop to visit or wave. One night neighbor was on porch playing musical instrument n played a song just for her. Kids show off bikes and pets. All kinds of different things happen that are exciting and stimulating for her. I have also designated her the assistant menu planner, grocery list scribe and prep chef for dinner. (Yes, we start with: "ok, let's wash our hands and get started with dinner!") I give her a small cutting board, one type of veggie at a time and cut a sample of how I want it cut up. She works on it independently, and it keeps her busy for quite a while, I can get other stuff done w/o interuption, as long as I'm in the kitchen. We eat lots of red bell peppers, but drove my husband crazy that she minces them into nothingness-for some reason can't get a slice or chop there, so I just don't hand them over any more. She does great at snapping beans, chopping or slicing most veg, hulling berries, and prep for anything I want to freeze. We grill lots of veggies, she can get some olive oil spread around on them if I use a spout type top (like a bartender's top) or give her a small amount in a container to pour from. She likes a particular jello salad, that has marshmellos stirred into the hot jello until they melt. Takes forever, and she will do it happily. I have her set the table with silver, and napkins. I saw the 3-2-1 cake mix on this site (sorry, I don't remember who to credit, and can't find it again--if it was you, please let me know, and thanks!). Have appointed her the 3-2-1 cake baker. (Take one box angel food cake mix and one box any other flavor. Pour together in lg. zip bag and mix well. When want to make a little cake, use 3T mix, 2T h2o and microwave 1 min in small micro safe dish). We aren't that wild about our first flavor (red velvet-her pick) but we eat it, just so she can be the star! She will fold handtowels, washcloths, and tea towels, if I am folding laundry also. Otherwise, usually not interested. Likes Wheel of fortune and Jeopardy on TV-not much else. We DVR them. I read a chapter of a book aloud one day, and have her read one, or part, the next day. I summarize what happened prior to where we pick up each day, and throughout the reading. If I can find easy crosswords, she will work at them, but does better if a team effort. I have someone come in once a week under the guise of helping with the house, and she does stuff with my mom, after finished with what's on my list-crafty things, holiday decor, cards, puzzles, coloring, makes christmas gifts for sibs, grchildren, and others. [Kate, I can't imagine trying to work at home without some help in the house for my mom. A year ago, she could entertain herself for the day, but not now.] We are supposed to walk daily per doctor, and also get 64 oz water ea day. I make a little schedule each day, with check boxes for all the med's., meals, glasses of water, the walk, and any other events. My mom finds this helpful and she spends quite a bit of time with this, checking boxes and competing to be the winner of "first to complete all the water for the day". I give intermittent surprise rewards for reaching goals w water or staying up all day. Recently started daily kitten dot com. Sometimes find stuff on YouTube or animal tracks (msn). Hoped to volunteer at animal shelter, but spouse too alergic. Get on facebook and show her pics of people she knows or their kids/grandkids. Maybe consider a computer designed for senior use?

Things still on my list to get her doing: try the red hat ladies to make some new friends since she came to live w/us. Find a way for her to volunteer-read to kids, stuff envelopes/fold newsletters for a nonprofit or cut out stuff for bulletin boards at schools nearby. Maybe entertain kids for mom's attending support group meetings like AA/NA or similar. One demential day program has a support group for caregivers and they provide care for the patients during the support group, at the site of their day program, maybe gain some comfort with the idea of going there 2 days a week? Another agency has a friendly visitor program. Try Zumba Gold or Silver Sneakers. Try the sr. outreach program monthly lunch a nearby church. Help her find out about her birth family via ancestry dot com. She is adopted and knows very little. Considering becoming certified as TimeSlips facilitator and starting my own group. Starting a Memory Cafe program in my area, perhaps a meetup group-just learning about them.

Hope you find some solutions--can you get some input from a local support group about what might be available in your area? Maybe call the area aging agency or see if a geriatric case manager or social worker can get you started on a path that works for your situation. Good luck-Kimbee

I understand needing to get to your own work. I think that you should try to get her to the senior center. It is different than the SNF, which is commonly the last option for disabled and elderly before they die. At the senior center it can be like going to a rec center. The people are usually more alert and active. They aren't necessarily being pushed around in a wheelchair but if they are it's people that are participating in fun activities. She won't know what is reality until she tries it. Could you tell her you're taking her to lunch and stop there on the way?
My husbands grandmother who will be 102 this year goes and plays bingo and talks to friends. You wouldn't know her age unless you looked at her ID (she chooses not to drive any longer).

It is always nice to sit outside in the sun/shade, and watch the activity of birds playing in the bird bath or frolicking for a perch on the bird feeder. Small investment it is for a bit of entertainment. Or how about the companionship a pet bird/cat/dog?

I was wondering one other thing. What's wrong with busy work? Just because you have to redo it isn't keeping her busy the point, making her feel useful? If she thinks she's helping and then you do it right after are you doing more than you would have if she hadn't done it first? It seems as though it might be making her feel helpful and you can do what you need to do for a while.

First, how "mild" is the dementia? As a therapist, I've found reminiscence to be a powerful tool, such as in the form of music or old photos, in helping someone with dementia keep themselves occupied. It helps to stimulate the mind, and utilizes one's long-term memory, which is pretty stable with early dementia. Also, depending on her level of dementia, some websites, have "Brain Games" which can help "exercise" the brain and potentially slow the decline. The brain is like a muscle and will get "weak", and weaker faster, if not regularly engaged in some form of activity. I hope this helps.

Kate,they usually want to feel useful like jobs around the house, sorting socks or folding, putting away silverwarer, etc. Or, take your grandmother/mom to the "club" daycare for lunch, then lunch again and join in a craft, maybe a haircut there, or for their busy DJ days and stay with her until she makes friends or feels comfortable. I had to do that, wean Mom in slowly , I did have to take a FMLA from work but it was worth it. The Daycare people are really good too making them feel useful, they gave my mom a "pretend" job as a towel folder, she loved it, she mostly stayed in a room off the large room of people for her first year. The 2nd year she weaned herself out and danced, etc and loved it, but then had a stroke. Now, she is home with me, I had to leave my job. She has music time every afternoon here, with Elvis, WIlly Nelson, a lawrence welk DVD, and Hello Dolly DVD to keep her feet bouncing.(Her sight is about gone and cannot understand tv) We as a family sing alot and we get her humming the tunes and clapping with us. Good luck.

My grandmother lived on a farm all her life. My aunt would have her snap green beans, shell fresh peas, etc. It was easy for her to stay focused.

StayingMe mentioned medication as a cause of sleepiness, and I found once I had my Dad checked by a geriatric psychiatrist, he took him off most diazapines (he was on two heavy duty ones, as well as an opiate for sleeping, I think it made him easier to deal with in the care home) and just kept him on an antipsychotic (quetiapine) and he has been moved to a home where he is much more socially stimulated and is loving it! The other residence he just slept all the time and they had problems with him falling when he got up at night - their solution was to put him in diapers and have a monitor on him! No wonder, I tried one of his sleeping pills and couldn't make it to the bathroom at night either!
The new doc has been wonderful as he is trained in dealing with dementia and knows it's not all about sedation, and it is great to see Dad getting to Singalongs and other activities (eyesight is poor, so his choices are limited).

What an interesting theory, N1K2R3 -- women who have babies late in life do other things late, too. (Is that a correct interpretation of your idea?)

My mother and one of her sisters each had babies in their mid forties, long after their contemporaries were out of the diapers and PTA roles. Did they do other things late? Hmmm ... my dear aunt got her LPN license in her late 60s. My mother joined a middle son in earning a GED in her late 70s. So maybe you are on to something. I think we can at least say that these women did not have conventional ideas about when to stop doing something. [They also did not have access to reliable contraceptives, so perhaps we can't read too much into when they gave birth. :) Neither of them INTENDED to have babies that late.]

In any case, we probably shouldn't assume that men and women of any age are automatically not interested in things aimed at a younger audience. Point well taken.