I usually just get a small calendar in the dollar bin at Target. Around year's end they have a lot, both pocket-size and large enough to hang on the wall. It works with my mom, sort of, but when we have asked her to write down what she needs, she often forgets.
A note pad with wide-ruled lines may help. Pens should have a fat look to them, because gripping the skinny ones becomes difficult. Bright colors on the pen body makes them easier for her to find them.
When it became obvious that my mom was struggling and failing to remember things, dates, etc, (play bridge tomorrow didn't mean anything anymore because: is it tomorrow?), I came up with a brilliant idea: a huge desk calendar with those big spaces. Off I drove, high on missionary zeal, and bought the calendar. I presented it, beaming, to my mom, and placed it on the dining room table right where she walks past dozens of times a day. Also several pens. Here, I proclaimed, is where you can write everything down and always know what day it is and what is happening.
When I returned the next day, there was no calendar. Where is the calendar? Ah, it is stuffed into the little space between the desk and the wall--hidden away where no one can see it. So, I take the calendar--still a good idea, right--out of the space and put it on the dining room table. Go back to beginning of paragraph and repeat, oh, about two dozen times. Finally, I gave up.
I subsequently learned from neighbors that my mother had told them how insulting it was that I had brought the calendar. She was furious--never said that to me, of course. Just the neighbors. Sigh...
In spite of this, I continue to think the calendar was a great invention and recommend them to anyone who will listen.
I agree entirely its a great idea. I bought a slightly different type. You know the type of pads that are used in the office that have a calendar along the bottom? well the printers often given them away at the end of the year when the calendar bit is no use any more. tehy even cut the calendar bit off for me free of charge. Every day I write TODAY IS ....and whatever day it is, then I write the date and then I write down everything she has planned for the day. You could always do it yourself on the computer though although I imagine the Printing might be expensive. Mum doesnt write it down I do it with her but I tell HER it is because I forget what she has planned and she tells everyone that she HAS to write it down because her daughter forgets....whatever works!
It works with my mom, sort of, but when we have asked her to write down what she needs, she often forgets.
When it became obvious that my mom was struggling and failing to remember things, dates, etc, (play bridge tomorrow didn't mean anything anymore because: is it tomorrow?), I came up with a brilliant idea: a huge desk calendar with those big spaces. Off I drove, high on missionary zeal, and bought the calendar. I presented it, beaming, to my mom, and placed it on the dining room table right where she walks past dozens of times a day. Also several pens. Here, I proclaimed, is where you can write everything down and always know what day it is and what is happening.
When I returned the next day, there was no calendar. Where is the calendar? Ah, it is stuffed into the little space between the desk and the wall--hidden away where no one can see it. So, I take the calendar--still a good idea, right--out of the space and put it on the dining room table. Go back to beginning of paragraph and repeat, oh, about two dozen times. Finally, I gave up.
I subsequently learned from neighbors that my mother had told them how insulting it was that I had brought the calendar. She was furious--never said that to me, of course. Just the neighbors. Sigh...
In spite of this, I continue to think the calendar was a great invention and recommend them to anyone who will listen.
You could always do it yourself on the computer though although I imagine the Printing might be expensive. Mum doesnt write it down I do it with her but I tell HER it is because I forget what she has planned and she tells everyone that she HAS to write it down because her daughter forgets....whatever works!