I am trying to collect items that will keep my Mom engaged, lower her stress, and help her feel better about herself. I have had good results with music, water colors, adult coloring books, and simple children's games like "Sorry".
I have also found a simplified recorder(www.kindreminder.com) where I can record a comforting, reassuring message. My mother wears it as a pendant and plays my message over and over again. It might be something like "Hi, Mom. Today is Tuesday, Mary is here with you, and I'll see you after lunch" or just something simple like "I love you, Mom."
What has worked for you? My mother has mild- to moderate- Alzheimer's.
Wow, great ideas. I'd love to hear other suggestions people have! I have recently placed my Grandmother in an assisted living facility - she too has early mid stage Alzheimer's.
I've found that keeping a white board in her unit has helped: Today is Tuesday, you have a hair appt, music at 2...those kinds of things seem to really help her. Unfortunately I"m not able to stop in every day and the staff don't seem to eager to write on the board....Maybe I can write her schedule for the week...I am getting her a very large clock that shows the time, date, and day of the week.
What are others doing?
Kris: My mother always wears clothes with pockets, so I used to write her a note every morning with a list of any/everything that's going on for the day. I thought it was clever, but she's pretty sure most of the time that the information is incorrect, and checks with me all day long. But she's pretty sure I'm not correct either. I guess we're past that stage! My sister in law had her mother with her for a good while, and the whiteboard thing and clock worked well for her, too. Maybe you could try one of those large whiteboards with the calendar squares like those they use in business offices? Just change every week/month?
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