My sister who is 75 but is like a 4 year old with no memory more than a minute wants me to entertain her constantly. Any ideas?
She colors all the time until 1:00 in the morning. I bought her a lite brite but is getting tired of that. She can't remember and can't see to crochet. I've tried ceramics but she likes me to do all the work. I am running out of ideas.
Any craft store: I remember when I was younger, I liked bead work. The beads have bigger openings then Native American jewelry and the needles (are bigger of course) can make place-mats, coasters, etc. It only takes the beginning (some are only the plastic thread that people use to make key chains with you do not need a needle)
or they have looms at Jo Ann fabrics that require just looping over the post which are large enough to be seen and can make scarves, etc.
those rubber band necklaces and bracelets are the rage right now in there attractive bright colors, (elders suddenly like those colors) you can find the bands almost anywhere, including JoAnn fabrics where they have a class.
How about giving her a deck of playing cards and asking her to sort them into colors? Suits? etc, Depends upon her level of 'abilities'. Let her fold the laundry --- towels, and pillow cases may work the best. Can you give her a small pile of coins and ask her to separate them into different containers? if she can do it safely, you can wash your cutlery container and ask her to replace the knives/forks/spoons. You should put one of each in first and then allow her to mirror that. Do you have shredding that needs to be done? She may do the shredding (watch that it can be down safely). Can you play music from the time of her life that she is 'living in now'? Do a sing a long with her. Bring in some visitors from time to time, you can't do this all alone!
Put those big bright puzzles away after she has done them once. Bring them out again in a few days. Sometimes short memories work in our favor!
Coloring sounds fine. It is quiet, too!
Would she match up socks (from the drier or from a drawer)?
She might enjoy a baby doll, to dress and undress and cuddle. Sounds strange, maybe, but many men and women with dementia like an outlet for nurturing.
Do a google search of Dementia Toys and you will get many ideas of things to play with or to watch, that might keep her entertained.
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I remember when I was younger, I liked bead work.
The beads have bigger openings then Native American jewelry
and the needles (are bigger of course) can make place-mats, coasters, etc.
It only takes the beginning (some are only the plastic thread that people use to make key chains with you do not need a needle)
or they have looms at Jo Ann fabrics that require just looping over the post which are large enough to be seen and can make scarves, etc.
those rubber band necklaces and bracelets are the rage right now in there attractive bright colors, (elders suddenly like those colors) you can find the bands almost anywhere, including JoAnn fabrics where they have a class.
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Coloring sounds fine. It is quiet, too!
Would she match up socks (from the drier or from a drawer)?
She might enjoy a baby doll, to dress and undress and cuddle. Sounds strange, maybe, but many men and women with dementia like an outlet for nurturing.
Do a google search of Dementia Toys and you will get many ideas of things to play with or to watch, that might keep her entertained.