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clueless1 Asked January 2023

Helping LO stay on task. Any ideas?

Here’s a problem I hope you can help me solve… I have a relative in Assisted Living whose Alzheimers creates very poor short-term memory, sometimes mid-task. However, a note nearby is sometimes all she needs to get back on track. I’m looking for a way to remind her of the day’s itinerary at her couchside table (think picture frame). For example, “lunch with Jane at 12:00. Bingo in common room at 3:00” I need to be able to update this document daily but remotely. She is flustered by electronics, even the TV remote, so it needs to happen without any action on her part. I would want it to stay on all day. So far, all I can find is remote access tablet but only if you’re on the same wifi network. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Geaton777 Jan 2023
We have resorted to asking the staff to go in and encourage my MIL to get out and do things. They can't force her to do anything. We even had my husband write a large note in his handwriting on poster board that says, "Mom, please do what the staff is asking you to do. Love, B" and the staff points at it if she says no the first time. She wasn't wanting to leave her room to go eat with the others. She wasn't doing anything. Eventually her memory problems caused her to forget that she was this way, and the sign was helpful.

JoAnn29 Jan 2023
My Mom was in a 39 bed AL, one floor. The activities director would go around knocking on doors reminding people it was time for an activity. I doubt my Mom knew it was time for dinner. She spent most of her day in the common area so easy to get her to the dining room just across the way.

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lealonnie1 Jan 2023
The trouble with AD/dementia is that the elder winds up needing human prompts to be reminded of the day's events. Once electronics become unmanageable for them, it's time for Memory Care AL and that's when the caregivers become their 'memory' and tell the residents when it's time to eat lunch or play bingo, etc. I went thru the exact scenario with my mother, so I know where you're at. In Memory Care, she started out being able to read the dry erase board I put up on her wall with 'reminders' but that faded away with time too, when she could no longer remember to read notes. You're in a position where you need to write reminder notes remotely, which requires electronics...........meaning, how on earth will your LO be able to deal with it?

I have no idea. Unless you ask the staff at her AL to remind her of things, which will be iffy at best.

Best of luck.

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