Coloring is a relaxing activity for a parent with early-stage Alzheimer's, and one that you can make more appealing by calling it "drawing" or "making art." Find a coloring book geared toward adults (in art-supply shops and some bookstores) and tear out one page at a time. Provide colored pencils, crayons, pastels, or markers (you might want to stick with pens that aren't indelible).