I feel so bad that my dh just sits and watches tv all day and night. I have stuff to do and do it. I feel like I should interact with him more, but I don't know what he would/could do other than go for a walk (which is like walking backwards it's so slow). He does like to go for drives, but now it's winter and not so much fun. So, I could really use some ideas, wht do you do with your spouses? Thanks.
I don't know what stage your LO is in but check out Timeslips.org. Also, I have an iPad and have downloaded a few children's apps and also an app called Garage Band. My DH is a musician and enjoys playing the instruments. Or at least tapping the drums or keyboard.
mothert, I could have written your post word for word. I have to do everything for my DH now, including helping him bathe, dress, shave, etc. His care plus laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning, home and car maintenance and all the others things we have to take care of doesn't leave a whole lot of time to entertain him. He likes to go for drives, also, but if we had something he could do by himself, it would be wonderful. Rosiek, I think my DH is too far along for the things you suggested but they're good ideas for earlier stages.
Dazed, I do all those things for my DH as well. I also work 3 days a week. It is very frustrating trying to find something that holds their interest for any length of time. He also likes to go for drives as well, and he wants to go somewhere, he doesn't know where, all the time. The things I mentioned above he does with my assistance. He no longer is able to do most things.
DH loves reruns of Raymond, other funny sit coms, has trouble doing any chores I give him. I try to take him with me to the bank, library, grocery store to get him out of the house. He wants books when we go to the library, but I don't think he really reads them.
divvi, I'm not sure what you're telling me. Do I go to Joan's 2007 blog and look for "what to do all day long?" And, sorry but I also am not sure how to find Joan's 2007 blog - not skilled at finding topics on this site; I'll give it a try, though.
I think my dh is solidly in stage 5 - just the other night he asked if he had had other wives before me and wife #1. He's also forgotten that his dog had passed 3 years ago, as well; however he usually remembers those things. His vision is very poor now also, he can only see high contrast and has a hard time reading. His concentration is almost non-existant and just the other day he told a friend of mine that he was in a fog most ot the time (and not from drugs as he only takes 40 mg of Celexa/day). So, I do think he's starting to understand that he has this disease and maybe his denial is coming to an end. But I know he'd like it if I did more things with him and I would like that, too. I remember reading on one of these topics a while back that we need to love on them more - can't love tham enough.
Here is the link to the blog - http://www.thealzheimerspouse.com/notreadyfordaycare.htm For future reference, you can find all of my blogs by going to the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and clicking on the left side section that says "Previous Blogs". They are organized by year, month, and day. There is also a search feature on the home page under Previous blogs. Just type in what you are looking for - such as "travel", "loneliness", "anger" , or whatever, and a list of links will come up.
mothert, sorting buttons will keep him entertained for hours and it stimulates the brain. Get a large jar or bags of assorted buttons and have him sort them by color or size or shape into empty egg cartons. I have found this to be very use ful. also if he still has good motor skills, you can purchase some large colored wooden beads that have large holes and have him string the beads on shoe laces. These are good quiet activities. IF I hear anyone mentioned any others that work for them I will be happy to post them.