My wife is in stage 5-6. When we are doing things together, she almost seems like the girl I married 54 years ago. But when I am working at my desk (such as typing this message, paying bills, etc.) she just sits in the chair next to my desk and picks at her hands, or at pieces of lint on her skirt, or sleeps. She does not do much reading (she used to read everything she could get her hands on). She also spends a lot of time "trying to figure out what is going on". I have tried various suggestions for activities - putting her pictures in an album, reading magazines or newspapers - but nothing seems to work. Yesterday I tried to interest her in a jigsaw puzzle, which she used to do regularly with our daughter, but she was not interested. She doesn't really like TV, but will watch with me. I am hesitant to turn it on when I am at my desk, since it is in another room and I'm afraid she will wander off without my knowing it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Marsh...... My wife is also 5-6 but does watch a lot of tv...... She did at one time read an aufull lot but as with a lot of things with this desease that too is gone.... I think each case is differant based on what i,ve read thruout these pages....I think there enjoyment of most things deminish as time marches on... My suggestion would be to try a variety of differant things, you never know when you might hit on something she will enoy..... Your situation is like most others here,,, we try to do the best we can for our loved one,but sometimes the best intentions don,t work because it is what it is... I hope i,m not sounding like a defeatist as I,m sure we all do from time to time........ good luck, and bless you..... Dan...... Just reread your post how about a tv by your desk???
I struggle with finding things to keep my husband busy because he gets bored when he has nothing to do. He can no longer read and he wouldn't be able to put jigsaw puzzles together because his visual-spatial skills are no longer there. when I first talked to the company that employees my husband's caregiver, they gave me a sheet of paper that has 101 things that a dementia patient can do. One was putting like objects together. l They say dump out all of the silverware in your drawer and have them reorganize it. It helps their brain. I was even thinking about trying to teach my husband to knit even though learning new things is difficult. If any wives knew how to knit or crochet and they still have their long term memory and can remember how, I would say buy them a very pretty skein of yarn and some needles. Tell them you need a scarf for next winter. My husband loves to do laundry. I separate the clothes first. My husband sprays weeds with a backpack sprayer and that gets him outdoors. I would say if you are sitting at a desk if she could cochet she could sit right there with you. This is getting more difficult for me too. If I can find that sheet of 101 things I could scan it and send it to Joan. I hope this helps.
UPDATE - 3/26/08 - I received an e-mail from the person in charge of the site I recommended for you to send for an activities guide for Alzheimer patients. Apparently, their products are not available to the general public, and they asked me to remove the link from my site. So if you read this on or after 3/26/08, there will be no link to copy and paste. Sorry.
I have a book - The Alzheimer's Activities Guide by Forest Pharmaceuticals -Link removed per the company.
Marsh, In the middle of Page 4 of these Message Boards, there is a topic - Not Ready for Day Care - What to do all day - read those posts for ideas and comments.
It sounds like your wife may be ready for Day Care. Have you considered it? The staff at those places know how to keep AD patients busy and happy.
Hey , what about singing ? If you start singing a song and clap, she possibly will join in . It helps in the car otherwise my LO is ready to sleep. Or maybe put an oldies station or traditional hymns; something she could relate to. I know it is so hard to see them do nothing. Pat
When my husband, a lawyer, lost the ability to read books and comprehend, we discovered the "Books for the Blind and Handicapped" program. It's a free program from the government. The books in their catalog are numerous and they provide a free player. This site is for NC, but I think all states have the program. He could comprehend when he was listening. http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/lbph/lbph.htm
Pat, Thanks for the suggestion about singing. My wife loves music and always has a song going through her mind. Unfortunately, my singing is so bad it bothers me, so I don't sing. I try to encourage her singing.
Marsh, Yes I know what you mean , My voice is so bad, too. But like everything else we do ; anything to help, I'll only sing w/ him thru desperation; to sometimes change subject of a conversation going nowhere or sleepiness.. And he doesn't hear no wrong in my scratchy voice. I love music and dancing so much and can not do either well.