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My 82 Year Old Mom Has Dementia. She Complains About Being Bored Everyday.

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Salem, OR

My mom lives in a very nice adult foster home. There are 3 other residents besides her. Other than having severe memory loss My mom is very healthy at age 82. She can walk, carry on a conversation etc. In the moment she is normal. She Calls me everyday sometimes 4 or 5 times. She complains about being bored where she lives. I have mentioned this to the caregiver
With COVID I am not allowed to go in the house-so almost everyday I go get my mom and bring her to my house, go out first lunch,… read more

October 17, 2020
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around someone seeking activities for their 82-year-old mother with dementia who lives in a foster home and calls daily... Read more

Members rallied around someone seeking activities for their 82-year-old mother with dementia who lives in a foster home and calls daily complaining of boredom, offering compassionate recognition of how exhausting it is to be the primary source of stimulation while feeling guilty about a loved one's loneliness. Several members shared practical ideas including large-print puzzles and crosswords, adult coloring books, music or podcasts from her youth loaded onto a tablet, simple crafts like bead sun catchers or stained glass with sharpies, YouTube videos for seniors (sing-alongs, funny animals, folding scarves), and involving her in small household tasks like folding towels or doing dishes to create a sense of purpose. A recurring theme was that as dementia progresses, most activities require direct engagement from another person, leading many to suggest exploring adult day programs or care centers with structured activities, while also acknowledging the painful reality that sometimes our loved ones cannot be kept busy no matter how hard we try.

A myALZteam Member

Puzzle books, coloring books craft kits, puzzles, books.

October 17, 2020
A myALZteam Member

I tried number paints with my husband. He did not enjoy them but maybe your mother would. All my husband does is walk around the house if not watching TV movies. It is a real problem keeping them busy and not bored. He goes with me everywhere for something to do, store, meetings, nail salon, estate sales, bank, etc.

November 16, 2022
A myALZteam Member

They have great you tube videos look up senior music, funny animal videos, there is a great one on folding scarves, sing a longs, pbs has good specials, kindness diaries on YouTube or Netflix we just made simple sun catchers with beads and old chandelier crystals, some worked on them for hours, hope this helps, my mom won’t participate.

April 28, 2021
A myALZteam Member

My mom follows me everywhere. I can't keep her busy either. I do leave dishes in the sink and have her help me change her bedding n fold towels. Other than that she is up n down 14 stairs at least 5 times a day looking for her car keys. Gives her exercise!

January 28, 2023
A myALZteam Member

So sorry about your Mom. I lost my Mom to Dementia/Alzheimers and it was a very difficult but rewarding, it makes me smile when remembering the time we spent together. I hope you will be able to find comfort in your memories as time passes. Take care of yourself and get rested. In His love ❤️ kitty 😺.

November 29, 2022

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