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Not a big fan of games, except chess. Former music teacher. Used to do magic effects. Trying to stay in our home. He goes to a Senior Day Care program for 4 hours on 3 days per week and has a male caregiver come in on two to three days for 3 hours each. They play chess and occasionally walk in the yard. Need activities for other times when he is not in daycare and does not have a caregiver. Looking for quiet things he can do on his own instead of napping all the time.

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With memory loss and dementia a person will not be able to keep their attention focused for long. We had my 100-yr old Aunt with dementia fold a large stack of kitchen towels. There was no "wrong way" to fold them, and the stack was a defined beginning and end. Most of the time she made it through the pile. As she aged she was less able (or willing) to do this.

He can sort and pair a large basket of colorful socks. He can pair nuts and bolts, sort playing cards by suit or numbers. He can be given a simple diagram to put together either Lego or Duplo blocks to make something (very simple and no "wrong way" to do it).

You will need to have tempered expectations regarding keeping him busy. Short memory won't allow most activities. My Aunt enjoyed looking at cat books with large pictures and a little bit of text, since she could still read, however she wanted to read TO us out loud. Eventually my Aunt enjoyed watching DVDs (mostly Disney, Pixar, etc) with happy endings and nothing negative/stressful/scary in them. She read the closed captions of the entire movie out loud to herself. She really couldn't follow the storyline but could "be ini the moment" from the action or songs. It kept her occupied for 1-1/2 hrs at a time.
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Great answers! I would only add filling up coin envelopes for the bank.
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I know you didn't ask but, check with your insurance broker and find out about those premiums. Typically they stop when the insurance is invoked.
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Puzzles. Some people really enjoy colouring, there are books for adults. Sorting coins (these can be mixed and reused over and over again). Sorting family pictures. If you are into knitting or crochet he could help you sort yarn and roll it into balls, maybe he'd even like to learn how to make something simple. Bird feeders can be very entertaining - don't forget the hummingbirds too.
And don't discount normal household tasks - dusting, setting the table or doing dishes, swiffering the floor...
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LJBrodnax Mar 2023
My father recently has become very focused on watching vultures haha. He didn’t seem that interested in watching the little birds; however, for Christmas, I got him the whole birdfeeder-on-a-stand setup for his apartment balcony and it is set up right outside his door where he sits to watch tv and voila, new hobby and interest! I standby and support him through cleaning/ refilling the birdbath, removing the tray on the birdfeeder to clean and reattach (it has a large easy to turn plastic nut that easily unscrews), and refilling the birdfeeder. Not only does it give him something to do but it also has created more ownership and pride for him that he can do things “on his own”!
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My mother liked to polish silver. Still, she needed a lot of supervision to keep her engaged in the task.

And yes, eventually she just slept all day until we put her in memory care where they had a new activity every half hour or so. As you've seen, socialization and activities require others to make them work.
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So much of this is very individual at this point, and so depends on his own abilities. Puzzles of some kind that are not pieces fitting together, but more things that you get apart and put together, sort of rubic cubes and such. We actually have a games and puzzles store in my city that is called I think Gamescapes (in San Francisco), and which might have online access--it is just FULL of all sort of puzzles and games. I just don't know your hubby and only you would be able to guess what he might like and would be capable of without frustrations. It sounds like you are already doing so much to make him at home in his world and I sure do congratulate you on that. Best of luck.
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As Geaton777 mentioned, folding of towels was her favorite thing. She wanted to fold every day, I simply unfolded them in the morning, placed them where she could find them and she would fold again. She folded the same stack of towels every day.

However, I did also use things from her career that she enjoyed. She was a homemaker and seamstress so I gave her yarn to roll into a ball, buttons to sort into colors etc. Someone else posted that their father was an accountant and they sorted coins. (just be careful if they try to place them in their mouth).

Perhaps there is an activity that is a reflection of his life's work that would be beneficial.

It does get harder as they progress in the disease. Mom's engagement declined...stopped watching TV, eventually stopped listening to music. It was always a challenge to keep her busy and energized.

I wish you much success.
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I remember my dad was fascinated by a perpetual motion contraption, especially the Newton's Cradle. He was mesmerized by it. Since your LO was a music teacher, perhaps a laptop piano keyboard to mess around with, if the noise isn't an issue. We had one and it was something that he loved. I hope you find something he enjoys.
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Old cowboy movies. There are cable channels with early John Wayne and singing cowboys. Puzzles like metal rings that he has to turn a certain way to separate or put together (used to be called bar toys). Rubik's Cube or similar.

But there's nothing wrong with napping a lot. I'm taking care of my 4th loved one with dementia, and their naps can be a blessing. You need a rest, and their brains need a rest also. At some point, stimulation seems like a waste of time. Don't overanxious it.
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My husband uses Lumosity every morning and you can see his progress: www.lumosity.com

Put this in your search window, "aarp game suggestions for alzheimer's patient."
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GrannieB13: As a former music teacher, would he be interested in listening to music? Perhaps his skill level allows him to operate a simple music maker.
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There are some lovely low cost basic musical folk style instruments that produce sweet, quiet tones that might entice him.

Google “kalimba” “reverie harp” “harmonica” “mini keyboard” for some ideas.

Don’t rely totally on Google site that talk about “music for dementia (Alzheimer’s, older people…..etc.)because as a former music teacher, he’s likely to have tastes that may be too specific to include music that appeals to the the untrained lay person.

Wanted to add, there are MANY MORE types of musical activities for him to try. If he’s able to do it, a visit to a local music store might reveal something that would capture his interest.

The goal is participation. He may still like listening, but actively hand on use of the instrument is more into what you’re looking for, I think.

If his insurance permits or he has enough money to self pay, he might really benefit from an evaluation by a trained, credentialed MUSIC THERAPIST. Google “music therapy” and BE SURE that the therapist has the appropriate credential.

Music actually CAN work miracles.
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My mom has vascular dementia and she likes playing SIMON. I think that is what it’s called. It’s a nice memory game that plays music as it gives you color combos to repeat and push.
I also bought her puzzles to put together and paint by number sets.
She also enjoys adult coloring books.
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A dementia patient can play chess?

-Luminosity.com
-Solitaire on the Internet
-Online Chess

Groups of Interest
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