My 84 year old mother has been in the nursing home nearly two months. She has dementia and bad eye sight. She does a lot of sitting in the foyer. The aide gave her a set of playing cards that are large with large print, but mother has no idea what to do with them. I try to play cards with her, but she can't. I would think there is something she can do with her hands while she just sits.
If anyone has experience with this, let me know some of your ideas. Thanks a lot.
Back to YOUR question. Mother has a Cabbage Patch doll that she finds a bit of interest in. Also, a very soft stuffed animal--I think it's a dog she named. Anything soft, cozy, big enough to squeeze. A deck of cards?! You must be kidding. Wow. Let the NH play 52 pick up with those.
I also suggest those squishy balls with lots of texture that she can have fun with. . How about make a texture book like we made for our babies. Lot's of toys we think would be fun, they cannot manage due to poor coordination. How about a soft toy that speaks when you squeeze it? I don't know anymore. OUR perception is that we want them to be occupied, but we don't understand their brains anymore. Neither do they. I'm with you, dj. It's frustrating, but I think if they are safe, clean, well fed, stimulated enough throughout the day so they are not totally alone, then I think thats about what we have to accept. Can you give your Mom a manicure, or hand and arm massage with cream? They enjoy that, too. Bless you, dj. Christina
Mother has a German doll her Mother gave her in 1920 when she was 3 years old. I recently made a blue silk dress for it, but think I need to take it to a doll hospital for re-something--whatever they do to get the arms and legs to stay in the joints!
I never cared for dolls, but we are storing my daughter's multiple Barbie's, American Girl dolls and paraphernalia, baby dolls, and clothes. That's a good idea, I will speak to my daughter about "sharing".
Do you wash the doll on delicate with lots of towels?
I do wash Molly with towels, but on on hot with the Tide with Vlorox. She gets all sorts of Mom's yucky/nasties on her - blood, poo, who knows what else - and then I let her air dry.
jeannegibbs--you're amazing, as always:)