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A few Great Gift Ideas for those with dementia

11/162 Comments

Super Gift Ideas for those with dementia / Alzheimer’s

Activities for elderly with dementia

My first title for this article was BEST Gift ideas for those with dementia/Alzheimer’s. But that didn’t feel appropriate to me because most folks I know who have Alzheimer’s are not difficult to please at all.

All you really need is activities for the elderly with dementia that make them happy. Many are simple things. My Mom loved crocheting, playing solitaire, Seek ‘n Find books, and her very special coloring book with Bible Stories.

Truthfully, the “Best” gift would be a sweet serenade from you, a date for lunch with you. Maybe a trip to the beauty salon for “The Works!” A gentle massage of each hand from a loving daughter.  I’ll never forget how excited my Mom was when the podiatrist came to the Group-Home to clip her toe nails.

Wow, did she ever feel special!  And, miraculously, she never forgot it and told everyone who would listen. We never did tell Mom that the Owner of the of the Group-Home paid for this service on a monthly basis for all residents.

Those with dementia want love and affection and kindness. After all that–  they might still like a few of these goodies too…

Plush Microfiber Robe – Soft, Warm, and Lightweight – Full LengthMore info

Elderly folks are easy to please. I can say that because that group includes me, and I know how I feel. The big things in life are family and good health and after that, everything else is floss.

A big thing for those who are ill is comfort. A big furry robe, or warm blanket on their feet. If you snuggle-up for a cuddle beside them, I know they’d love it.

But sometimes you have other things to do and need to keep them busy for awhile. The person with dementia can still do/and enjoy many activities.

My Mom loved TV. She couldn’t watch a movie or series-show on television that required remembering long segments, but she loved Bob Barker, Game shows and Old Sitcoms: “I love Lucy,” “Jackie Gleason,” and even “Jack Benny.”

If you’re loved one needs more activity than a television set, there’s always: Seek ‘n find books, puzzles, beads, counting coins, stacking pennies, folding clothes and many other things.

Some older folks can’t keep their hands still due to constant fidgeting. The toy manufacturers have caught-on to this idea and built fidget toys and puzzles by the 100’s. These are only a small few.

Grandma’s Cookies Jigsaw PuzzleMore infoBIDDEFORD Comfort Knit & Sherpa ELECTRIC KiING BLANKET- Dual Controls IvoryMore infoSet of 3! Tangle Jr. Original Fidget ToyMore infoWooden Puzzle FidgetMore infoSpecial Needs Sensory Activity Apron (Children & Adult Sizes)More info

And then we have the ladies who simply love baby dolls! (Which includes most women with Alzheimer’s dementia.) My Mom was certainly one of that group, and her mother too. I can remember when I was a little girl and visited my grandma’s house. Her bed was always full of dolls. My mom wasn’t quite as bad but as soon as her bed was made, her family of dolls were all in a row, reclining against the pillows like distant relatives.

Now they create these darling Newborn Baby Dolls! I wish I had known about them when my Mom was alive. She would have loved them like her own child! Yet, the “Real, life-like dolls” are more expensive than most. And a simple Little Girl’s Baby Doll will do just as well.

JC Toys La NewbornMore infoParadise Galleries Lifelike Realistic Weighted Baby Doll, Tall Dreams, 10 Piece Ensemble, 19-inch, Ages 3+More infoJC Toys La Newborn First Day- Real GirlMore infoBaby Doll: Little Peanut Baby Doll – 17More infoJC Toys La Newborn- Real Boy 18540More infoJC Toys La Newborn First Yawn- Real BoyMore info

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 These are baby dolls for children and more affordable than the  “Real Life baby dolls.” My Mom had a couple like these and carried them everywhere. She loved her baby dolls like her own children.

Newborn- Real GirlMy First Baby – 12 InchBaby Huggums Soft BodyNewborn- Real BoyHuggums Soft Body 12″JC Toys 20JC Toys 16Newborn Baby Doll

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Filed Under: Activities, Holidays Tagged With: Best Gifts for Alzhiemer's Dementia, fidget toys, holiday gifts

Caregiver and Poet inspired by her father with dementia

11/07Leave a Comment

Caregiver and Poet inspired by her father with dementia

Author: Kelly DuMar’s is a caregiver and poet inspired by her father who has dementia. She is also kind enough to share her thoughts and feelings that inspire her with us.

In a striking poem recently published by Foliate Oak Literary Magazine, “Mystery Shopper in Memory Care,” Ms Dumar speaks about the confusion and dismay that can haunt a loved one with dementia when the present is so different than their memories of the past.

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Kelly says, “If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you’ve probably noticed his or her concern and confusion about money. Many of my poems are inspired by visiting my father in memory care assisted living, including “Mystery Shopper in Memory Care.”

My father is anxious about not having money on hand to pay for his meals – which seem to him to be served in a restaurant, or for his lodging, which seems to be in a sort of hotel.

His lifelong habit of providing for his family lingers in his consciousness as his cognitive powers decline. When my father lived independently he always made sure he had his wallet with him when we took him to doctor appointments so he could treat us for lunch at Panera, or pay for his own sundries at CVS.

Now, he doesn’t remember that for many months his money has been managed entirely by my sister. On a recent ride back to memory care from the doctor, when I stopped to buy us some treats, he was upset he didn’t have his wallet with him and couldn’t pay. I reassured him I had it covered. But I made sure to thank him for his spirit of generosity – and let him know I realize his desire to show his love through generosity is intact.

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Mystery Shopper in Memory Care

I forget what you came for. But I can’t pay you for it
because my wallet is no bigger than a breadbox. So
maybe you’ve seen it? See? Crumbs in my pockets
where there must have been crackers or coins and keys
to a castle. Maybe you’ve seen them? My money must
have slipped my mind into your bank account and I need
to make a deposit. Will you remind me what do I owe and
what I don’t own? Lots of things belong to anybody around
here, so it’s a cheap store for bargains. There are plenty of
rooms like this to go into. You can always find someone
to belong to.  But I have been missing who you are.

Copyright 2014 by Kelly DuMar

 

Author: Kelly DuMar is a playwright and poet who facilitates Writing Truth & Beauty workshops for creative writers. Her book, All These Cures, won the Lit House Press poetry award and was published this month by Lit House Press.  More about Kelly’s work can be found at kellydumar.com

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Filed Under: Guest Post, The Caregiver Tagged With: caregiver, Kelly Dumar, poet

A List of Recommended Reading by Category

11/022 Comments

Best Books about Alzheimer’s Dementia by Category

Alzheimer's Reads

 

One of the first things I did after my Mom’s diagnosis was to gather a stockpile of books. I had no idea how to handle her odd behavior or cope with my severe fatigue from arguing with her with little nor no results..

Reading and learning is important! It will improve your disposition and turn everything around for you, the caregiver. If the person with dementia is still able to read it will help them too. Being in the dark about all that is happening doesn’t help anyone.

Read more… to see this book-list by Category. It will help you decide which book you need now…and perhaps other books for later!

A full collection of books with information about Diagnosis, Signs and Symptoms, Caregiving and more

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Care Tips, Common Questions, Recommended Reading, The Caregiver Tagged With: Read dementia by category

Caring for Aging Parents – Difficult but not Impossible

09/021 Comment

Caring for aging parents – Difficult but not impossible

Aging Parents may turn to their adult children when they are no longer able to care for themselves. Nobody wants to see their parents decline in their older years.

Our parents have been the strong ones in our lives, and it can be heartbreaking to see them starting to lose physical or mental capacity. But there may come a time when they can no longer take care of their own needs.

Parents usually don’t want to admit this either, insisting to themselves and others that they are still fully capable, it’s sometimes difficult to care for aging parents.

Sooner or later, however, the time may come when you have to begin providing care for your aging parents. Here are some tips that can help.

It’s easiest to have the conversation in advancecaring-for-aging-parents

If you can have a “just in case…” conversation with your parents while they are still fully competent, this is the easiest time to do it.

Talk about what their wishes will be when they start having difficulty taking care of themselves. They may be uncomfortable talking about it, but it will be easier emotionally now than later when the situation is already upon them.

Keep notes of your discussion, with dates and signatures, and file it away where you can find it when you need it. This can be useful for you, your parents, and your siblings, when it comes to decisions about your parents’ care.

Watch for signs around the house

If your parents have always kept the house spic and span, and now you find that it is growing cluttered or less clean, this could be a sign of a problem. Perhaps your mother is finding the cleaning chores more physically difficult than before or perhaps she is feeling overwhelmed because everything in life is getting a bit harder. Stop by now and then, and see if you can lend a helping hand. This also gives you a chance to see in person how your parents are doing.

Make sure their finances are under control

If your parents are letting the mail pile up, and the bills go unpaid, this can become a real problem.

It may be another sign that they are overwhelmed, as they find it more mentally daunting to deal with the finances and pay the bills.

They may not be thinking as clearly as they used to, or may just be forgetful. Whatever the reason, if the bills aren’t being paid, you may need to step in and do something. At some point, you may need to get signature privileges on their checking account so you can handle this for them.

Watch for poor nutrition or injuries

Sometimes older people stop eating well, either because shopping anHealthy-Eatingd food preparation are too difficult, or because
they simply don’t feel like eating. If they are losing weight, and don’t have good food in the fridge, then you could offer to take them shopping now and then, or look into programs like Meals on Wheels. Cooking can also lead to injuries at times, so if you see any signs of cuts or burns, find out what happened. As their child you have to watch out for them and really get involved. Seniors want to be loved, but they don’t want to feel useless.

Depression can set in

It is hard to get older, and find that you are no longer able to live the life you used to. It is a difficult time, and some seniors end up sinking into depression. If you see signs of depression in your parents, try to get them to talk to a doctor about it, which can provide the best options for handling it. Seniors dealing with changes in their life – such as the death of a loved one, retirement, medical problems or increased isolation, may trigger depression.
Thus, your aging parents won’t be able to enjoy life anymore. As their child, you must take action and help them understand and accept that growing old is not the end of the world.

Some senursing-careniors may need palliative care in order to get over depression. This specialized type of medical care is centered on offering patients relief from symptoms whatever the diagnosis. It could be depression, anxiety, or more severe illnesses such as cancer or dementia. Seniors are not impossible to care for, as long as the caregivers are truly committed and devoted. And eventually, most of us will be caring for aging parents. It’s only natural for parents to age; and they can age beautifully.

 

Author: Edward Francis and Foresthc.com

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 How to Care for Aging Parents, Financial, Housing, and Emotional Check Price The Overwhelmed Woman’s Guide to…Caring for Aging ParentsCheck Price Elder Rage, or Take My Father…  Survive Caring for Aging ParentsCheck Price

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Magic Bullet – Healthy SmoothiesBlack & Decker Change Fruit and Vegetable to JuiceMedcenter Talking Alarm Clock And Medication Reminder

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Filed Under: Common Questions, The Caregiver, The Stages Tagged With: aging parents, caring for againg parents, caring for parents

Alzheimer’s Fidget Quilts for Sale Online

09/0230 Comments

 Alzheimer’s Fidget Quilts for Sale Online

Aprons, Purses and more 

fidget-apronFidget quilts are a happy resource for the person with dementia and fidgeting fingers.

While caring for my Mom with dementia, I noticed that she could not stop fidgeting her hands. Sometimes she would wring her hands until I thought a finger might surely break.

Mom was a “depression” baby and as a young girl she watched her family struggle and strive to make a living while the depression and its financial crises  of the ’30’s weighed down on them.

From this experience during her youth, Mom once again worried about money as the dementia began to kidnap her thoughts. Mom would spend hours wringing her hands like a wash rag, and worrying her fingers till they were red.

Finally, I retrieved an old purse and filled it with things she loved; a crinkled bank statement, small photo album, pen, seek-n-find book and a tube of red lipstick. She was a blonde and loved deep red lipstick. That purse swung from her arm whenever she left her room, even after she’d moved to a Group Home shortly before her passing.

When I first wrote an article about an Alzheimer’s  Fidget Blanket/ Quilt, I thought of Mom and her “purse.” She would have loved a Fidget Blanket. I know many of you have been searching for one also as I’ve read your letters.

I recently found the Sweetest Fidget Blankets that I’ve seen. She creates Patchwork Quilts for sale online and much much more.  Besides Fidget Quilts, this seller also crafts; Fidget Aprons, Fidget Bibs, Fidget Purses, aprons and more. And she accepts Custom Orders! Male or Female, even quilts on sale for the Autistic Child. You can find Nan on Etsy.

Nan’s Sewing Corners

Nancy is a grandmother who loves to spend time with her grandchildren and to sew. She makes “fidget quilts” and other fidget items for Alzheimer and Autistic patients by order. Custom Orders will be ready for shipment within 14 days.

Below are a few of the wonderful Fidget Items that she has listed at her Store. Thank you Nancy, for giving us more Fidget Quilts!

UPDATE on Nancy:

Nancy has made Fidget Quilts for many of our friends and families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Several months ago she had to take a break due to some medical issues. I just spoke to her today and I’m happy to say! She is home, sewing again, and eager for Customers. If you’re over her way! Please let Nancy know how happy we all are to have her back. And while you’re there check out her wonderful custom made Fidget Quilts.

Almost Time for Holidays and Gift-giving!

Nan’s Sewing Corners

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A Fidget Quilt

fidget-quilt

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For More Personalized Fidget items

<< Visit >>

 Nan’s Sewing Corners

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Other Fidget Toys Available on Amazon include


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Filed Under: Activities, Care Tips, Holidays Tagged With: Alzheimer's Fidget Quilts, dementia fidget quilts, Fidget Quilts for Sale Online

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