Music Poems (poems that rhyme!) Dance or movement to music - I don't mean help her join the Bolshoi Ballet, but any form of dance, included seated dancing, is good for the body and the morale. Cartoons or comedy films, according to taste - laughter ditto.
These are the obvious ones, but anything that stimulates the senses - sound, colour, smell, feel - stimulates the brain. If she shows even a glimmer of an interest in something, there's your chance! Good luck, hope you find something that suits her.
What were her interests? Music? Gardening? Events that soothe but inspire might help.
What are her physical limitations? Can she go for walks? Just being in nature is not only stimulating but soothing, which can lead toa desire to participate in other activities.
Please tell us more about your friend so we can offer more suggestions. A big difference in what she can do and in which she can be interested depends on mobility and/or limitations.
Who watches her while you work? She really shouldn't be alone.
My suggestion is Adult Care. If she receives Medicaid, they may pay partial or the whole cost. In my area the people are bussed to and from the Adult Care. They are served breakfast and lunch and have activities. I have seen a group of men just sit and watch TV together. Better than being alone. Being around people is a stimulant. Those who could, they took shopping.
Perhaps functional things she knows/knew how to do... folding laundry, organizing drawers, washing dishes, looking up recipes she may have written out in her own hand (and cooking them, if she's able) etc. All those things require step-by-step procedures which require process thinking (for example, you can't put folded clothes away without first getting the clothes, folding them, and opening the drawer).
Arts/music activities as others have suggested, too. You may need to try different things until you find something that will work.
Does your friend respond socially to people besides you? One of the issues with in-home care is that is can be a sterile environment socially since she sees the same people day after day. Does your friend have dementia or ALZ? If so, I would research a website that has recommendations (and expectations) for those who have it. I have an aunt with dementia and she can't even follow a simple tv show anymore. We show her funny animal videos from YouTube and she loves that a lot. She also looks at Cat Fancy magazine while she is turning a foot pedal device she got in rehab. She's 97. I think you'll need to just keep trying different things to see if any of it interests her. My aunt can still plays cards because she's been playing for decades. My MIL used to do crafts and word puzzles and completely lost interest in that (she also forgot how to write, but can still read. Weird!) She's in LTC and likes to joke around with the staff and they enjoy her a lot. I applaud your loving loyalty to your friend -- everyone should have a friend like you! Blessings!
Poems (poems that rhyme!)
Dance or movement to music - I don't mean help her join the Bolshoi Ballet, but any form of dance, included seated dancing, is good for the body and the morale.
Cartoons or comedy films, according to taste - laughter ditto.
These are the obvious ones, but anything that stimulates the senses - sound, colour, smell, feel - stimulates the brain. If she shows even a glimmer of an interest in something, there's your chance! Good luck, hope you find something that suits her.
https://www.agingcare.com/search?term=activities+for+dementia
What were her interests? Music? Gardening? Events that soothe but inspire might help.
What are her physical limitations? Can she go for walks? Just being in nature is not only stimulating but soothing, which can lead toa desire to participate in other activities.
Please tell us more about your friend so we can offer more suggestions. A big difference in what she can do and in which she can be interested depends on mobility and/or limitations.
My suggestion is Adult Care. If she receives Medicaid, they may pay partial or the whole cost. In my area the people are bussed to and from the Adult Care. They are served breakfast and lunch and have activities. I have seen a group of men just sit and watch TV together. Better than being alone. Being around people is a stimulant. Those who could, they took shopping.
Arts/music activities as others have suggested, too. You may need to try different things until you find something that will work.
my Dad loved the adult coloring books. It was one of the few things that engaged him and helped him to stay calm in the late afternoons.