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He has early stages of dimentia and he was a professor so he still think that he is in charge.

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I have the same issue with my father who worked most of his life outside (mowing, gardening,flowers,etc) but now that he is 91, had medical issues and has now been diagnozed with moderate to severe dementia (shuffles when walks), he can't go outside to do these things anymore. He hates political stuff on tv, can't stand alot of "blabbering as he calls it", has macular in one eye, doesn't read.........how do you please someone like that. he sleeps most of the time cause he can't do anything. I keep telling him to sit by window and look out at birds,etc. I will also have to check out some of these sites.
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My Dad is a retired engineer with a masters degree in Mathematics and computer programming, with a similar personality. During his early dementia stage, we convinced him to start writing his life story. He was hot to do this and I think now, because he knew about his dementia before the rest of us did...but he was a great story teller and worked on his computer to do this. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles and Sudoku puzzles, way into his dementia. As he got worse, he had to move back from more complicated puzzles to more easy ones, and when visiting me, I would 'help' him as Sudoku got more difficult. He had read that puzzles helped the brain, so they became a daily ritual. We once planned a visit at a holiday when most of his great grandkids were here too, and had him bring his maps of WWII and had a session we videotaped with him showing the kids on maps of his progress through the war, with the addition of some of his 'war stories', and I am so glad we got much of that time on tape for later. The kids were studying geography and world history, so putting the two together was interesting for them as well and created memories. I also found that as his dementia progressed, just asking him questions about his childhood or growing up or about how they did things in his family, would create some long conversations as he had no troubles then, remembering all that long ago stuff. In the end with his story writing, he couldn't concentrate on the computer so well, or see the keys, even with a special keyboard, so we paid to have a storyteller come and take notes and write some chapters down for him. He enjoyed the time with her....and with anyone knew, coming to 'visit' with him, he enjoyed that he was 'teaching' them something. Actually, until just a couple years before he had to be placed in a memory care facility, he was going to our daughter's place a couple days a week and coaching in math and other subjects the great grandkids that were being home schooled and doing a great job of that. As far as being 'in charge'....I dealt with my Dad by always getting his opinion on decisions we had to make, but I would give him the choices we were going to consider...as parameters, where either answer would be OK, so he could 'decide'. For example, when we had to add an in home caregiver, and he didn't think he needed one, I said, "Well, lets try it. Do you want to try for 2 weeks or for a month?" And when he had troubles remembering to take his pills, I asked if I could be his 'reminder service'...and he could still take them, but I would phone just to visit and to check that he had not forgotten. Since the meds were for his brain functioning, he was concerned about forgetting, but he didn't want anyone telling him what he had to do next either. It worked well for us. Perhaps some of these ideas will help you.
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I've noticed the residents at my LO's AL playing cards quite a bit. One even plays cards on their computer. She loves it.

I haven't noticed many there with dementia who read, but if your dad still reads, he might like crossword puzzles.

I have found it difficult to get activities for my LO, since she's not interested in painting, drawing, or crafts. She does enjoy her tv, since I got her a special basic remote control that she can operate.

Her favorite activity is going to see the local singers who come to her AL facility and perform a couple of times per week. It's a real highlight and she talks about it often. With your dad being at home, you might locate some DVD's of his favorite movies or musical artists. Can he still operate a DVD player? If he's having trouble, that might be too frustrating for him.
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What state are you in? If California, check out www.seniorcenterwithoutwalls.org - they have telephonic, tele-conference activities & education for homebound seniors.
Some other states do have similar organizations like SCWW.
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For dementia, check out the Best Friends Book of Alzheimer's Activities. Good activities that you can pitch for people from early to severe. Just started it for my dad, and it's been really helpful.
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The only thing I can think of is the jigsaw puzzles, as it is very challenging to me to keep my dad entertained, sometimes if the weather is good I will put him in his chair to sit on the front door he enjoy watching people passing by.
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Check out the online Alzheimers Store for puzzles, things to do that are appropriate for patients.
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Visit tinyurl/d3zdpuk hundreds of ideas.

Things To Do Together, CareGivers In-home Activities

Hundreds of links to sites offering games and things to do for Alzheimer's and Elder Care Caregiver providing InHome care.
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Does he have a family album you could look at together? What about some wind chimes, something eye-catching to look at, and listen to. Maybe a small whiteboard with magnetic puzzle pieces, or a wooden puzzle (easier to handle with arthritic hands).
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My mom (91 years) enjoys a computer game called Peggle, and Peggle Nights. It is similar to a pinball game. It is made for children, but we all enjoy playing it. You can order it on the internet for $4.99
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