Things you need to know about talking to your ageing parents

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Having the Talk? Here’s a few tips.

If you have not had “the talk” with your ageing parent/s, don’t put it off any longer. While mom and dad are cognitively intact the process is pretty straight forward… albeit, it can be somewhat uncomfortable for both parties. It needs to be approached from the same angle as if the conversation was to be had with you by your own grown children.

IOC The talk1Talking about the future can be hard. Such discussion will invoke anxiety in even the most calm of us when we start to think about all the unknowns in our futures and those of our loved ones. These discussions can get even harder when it’s not our future we’re talking about, but rather someone else’s. However, as difficult as it may be, there are some questions that we need to have answers to when it comes to our ageing parents and it is wise to have these conversations sooner rather than later. On that note, here are 7 basic questions that you should include in the “talk” with your ageing parent/s… as soon as you can.

1. How do they feel about getting older or having to get help to sustain their independence?

A parent/s can have all the legal stuff taken care of, but that doesn’t tell you how they feel. To really understand your ageing parents, it’s important to talk about how they feel about the situations that might happen.  Allow them to talk about their fears, their wishes, how they envision things unfolding in the event of a medical situation, and so on.  This is the type of conversation that will tell you if they have made decisions based on what they think will be easiest for others or what they really want.  This is the type of conversation that will allow you to make sure that the legal documents accurately represent your loved one’s wishes.  Most importantly, it is the type of conversation that will allow your ageing parent/s to know how much you support and love them and want what is best for them.

2. Do they have a will? Is the Will is safe keeping and up-to-date?

Bringing up a will can seem like you only care about what you’re getting, but a will contains so much more than just ‘who gets what’ and is essential to the process of handling matters when a loved one passes. This is your parent’s opportunity to dictate how they would like their affairs to be handled and who they want to handle things.  It is equally important for our parent/s to ensure their will is up-to-date so that loved ones don’t end up in bureaucratic chaos trying to simply execute the wishes of a loved one while simultaneously trying to mourn. Importantly, the same questions pertain to life insurance, which is separate from a will and requires the beneficiaries to be named to the life insurance company directly.

3. Do they have a living will?

Although many people plan for their deaths, many forget to also plan for any situation that might render them incapable of making their own decisions while still living.  Your parent/s may assume that the “right” decision will be made for them, by those in charge. This is not always how it plays out. Taking the time to decide what they want and making sure those wishes are legally noted is the only way to ensure your parents will be cared for in that way.

4. Do they have a Power of Attorney?

This can be one of the trickier topics to discuss if there are multiple children or individuals who might expect to be “chosen”.  Parents sometimes put this off because they simply don’t want to be seen as picking favourites, but it’s an essential document to have.  For this reason it is important that children (and any other interested individual) are respectful of whatever decision the elder makes.  No offense should be noted to the parent/s and if there are concerns about a selection, it would be wise to make sure all parties are involved in discussing this instead of trying to quietly bring it up to the parent. By involving everyone, the right decision for your aging parent can be made.

5. Do you have long-term care insurance?

Not all people have invested in long-term care insurance and with the costs of long-term care. This is something your parents may want to consider if it’s not too late to invest. If they have invested, being aware of what is covered, who to contact to initiate the insurance claim, and what services your parent will want to take advantage of is important to know ahead of time and can save money and hassles if/when the time comes.

6. What kind of care situation do you want?

Does your parent have a retirement or assisted living home in mind?  Do they want to stay at home as long as possible, focusing on ageing in-place (Home Care)? What nursing homes are they comfortable with if the situation were to become necessary? Having these discussions before a decision needs to be made ensures that people can look for the right care, make any needed arrangements, and not scramble at the last minute and have to take whatever is available.

7. What are your wishes for a funeral/memorial?

IOC-The talk2Sometimes there’s a lot of pressure to do things in a “traditional” way when it comes to how we remember our loved ones, but that’s not always what they want.  Although funerals/memorials need to reflect both the person that is gone and those who are left behind, having a discussion ahead of time can mean that all sides get their voices heard.  When a decision is reached beforehand, our loved ones know their wishes will be respected and those of us left behind can know we’re memorializing our parents in a way that they accept as well. This means no guilt for anyone and that’s a much-needed relief at a time of sorrow.

However hard it may be, please take the time to talk to your loved ones about these issues.  It’s also not too late to start thinking about them for yourself as well. The more prepared you are, the easier it is for those around us and the more open we are, the more likely we are to respect everyone’s wishes and know that ours will be respected too.

Stop the frauds and scams against Seniors

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What every older Canadian should know about Frauds and Scams200451745-001

The numbers of seniors aged 65 and over is projected to more than double from 1.9 million in 2013, to 4.1 million, or 23.2 per cent, by 2036. By 2016, for the first time, seniors will account for a larger share of population than children aged 0–14.

Fraud is the number one crime against older Canadians. Though people of all ages can be victims of fraud, older people get targeted more than others. Some of the reasons are that they are often home during the day to answer the door or phone, they can be more trusting and they may not have family or friends close by to ask for a second opinion. People who commit frauds and scams are commonly called con artists. Con artists don’t just target people who have a lot of money. A con artist may steal a small amount from many people. They use a variety of ways to reach people, including the Internet, phone calls and even door-to-door visits. But con artists are not the only ones taking advantage of seniors. This also extends to fly by night contractors who will charge surmountable amounts of money for small jobs, fear-mongering clients into agreeing to pay for services not required (roof repairs, furnaces, air conditioners, driveways, windows, duct cleaning, etc.). This often results in the client either losing their down payment, poor workmanship, incomplete work, and no recourse of action for corrective action / refund. Unfortunately, the list of fraud opportunities, are endless and new schemes are invented and uncovered every day.

Recognize It – How to Spot a Scam?
Travel-For-Free-Hawaii-FraudIf it sounds too good to be true… it probably is not.

You have won a big prize in a contest that you don’t recall entering. You’re offered a once-in-a-lifetime investment that offers a huge return. You’re told that you can buy into a lottery ticket pool that cannot lose.

You must pay or you can’t play. “You’re a winner!” but you must agree to send money to the caller in order to pay for delivery, processing, taxes, duties or some other fee in order to receive your prize. Sometimes the caller will even send a courier to pick up your money.

You must give them your private financial information. The caller asks for all your confidential banking and/or credit card information. Honest businesses do not require these details unless you are using that specific method of payment.

Will that be cash…..or cash? Often criminal telemarketers ask you to send cash or a money order, rather than a cheque or credit card. Cash is untraceable and can’t be cancelled. And, crooks also have difficulty in establishing themselves as merchants with legitimate credit card companies.

The caller is more excited than you are. The crooks want to get you excited about this ‘opportunity’ so that you won’t be able to think clearly.

It is the Manager calling.

The person calling claims to be a government official, tax officer, banking official, lawyer, or some other person in authority.

The stranger calling wants to become your best friend. The person calls you by your first name and asks you a lot of personal or lifestyle questions (like how often do your grown children visit you). Criminals love finding out if you’re lonely and willing to talk. Once they know that, they’ll try to convince you that they’re you’re friend. After all, we don’t normally suspect our friends of being crooks.

It is a limited opportunity and you’re going to miss out. If you are pressured to make a big purchase decision immediately, it’s probably not a legitimate deal. Real businesses or charities will give you a chance to check them out or think about it.

Other common types of frauds and scams

Identity theft

Identity theft occurs when a con artist steals personal information from someone so they can pretend to be that person and then do things like apply for a credit card, take out a loan or mortgage, get a cell phone or withdraw bank funds. The con artist will try to get information such as a bank card number and personal identity number (PIN), credit card number, health card number, driver’s license and Social Insurance Number (SIN). Sometimes they will steal or copy the documents; sometimes all they need is the information. If your wallet is lost or stolen, or mail you are expecting goes missing, you should report it right away to your bank or credit union.

Credit / debit card frauds

Credit card and debit card fraud occurs when a con artist uses your card, or a copy, to make purchases or withdraw money from your account. Keeping your card in sight, memorizing your PIN, and shielding your hand when you enter your PIN are ways you can reduce the risk of your credit card or debit card information being stolen and misused.

Online scams

There are many online scams and new ones appear all the time. Some appear to be asking for your help; some say there is a problem with your bank account or tax return. Scam e-mails are often easy to spot because of spelling and other mistakes, but some can look like they are coming from a person or organization you know. If you are not sure about an e-mail—for example, if it asks you respond with personal or financial information or to go to another Web site and enter information there—call to check, and do not respond to the e-mail.

Phone and door-to-door scams 

Phone and door-to-door scams are also very common. Someone will call or come to your door pretending to be a representative of a charity, an employee of a credit card company, or even a distant relative. You might be offered a free prize or trip. If you aren’t completely sure who you’re dealing with, do not give the person any money, information or permission to enter your home.

Sometimes people call or come to your door using high-pressure sales tactics to get you to buy something you don’t want or need, or to talk you into getting work done in / on your house and then overcharging you or doing a bad job. While this is not always illegal, it is wrong and should be reported.

Tips and safeguards 

Keep all personal documents in a secure place. If you don’t need them, do not carry your birth certificate, passport or SIN card.

Never tell another person your PIN or account passwords and take care to cover your hand when entering your PIN at bank machines and when making store purchases.

Safely dispose of old bills, personal information, confidential letters or statements—shredding is best.

Do not click on pop-up windows or respond to e-mails, open attachments or go to Web site links sent by people you do not know. Your bank or credit union will not send you anything by e-mail unless you ask them to.

Never give out your credit card, bank account, or personal information to someone over the phone, at the door, or over the Internet unless you know the person or organization you are dealing with, or you made the contact. This sort of information is not personal identification or personal authentication.

Do not sign any agreement or contract to buy anything (service or goods) without giving yourself time to think it over. If a salesperson insists that an “offer” is “time limited” and you must decide that moment, it is probably better not to buy.

Be suspicious if someone you don’t know asks you to send them money or a cheque, or to return money they “accidentally” sent you.

Before hiring someone or agreeing to have work done on your home, ask for proof of identity and references and check them.

What should I do if I think I have been a victim of fraud or a scam?

All frauds and scams should be reported, even if you are embarrassed or feel the amount of money is too small to worry about. While you might not be able to get your money back, you can help stop the con artist from scamming other people.

Report all frauds and scams to your local police, or call Phone Busters at 1-888-495-8501.

Where can I find out more information on fraud?

There are some reliable on-line Government sources of information about frauds and scams. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Web site http://www.fcac.gc.ca provides information about your rights in dealing with banks and other financial institutions or visit www.seniors.gc.ca for additional general information.

What can I do to protect myself?

Be Cautious! You have the right to check out any caller by requesting written information, a call back number, references and time to think over the offer.
Legitimate business people will be happy to provide you with that information. After all, they want the “bad guys” out of business too. Always be careful about providing confidential personal information, especially banking or credit card details, unless you are certain the company is legitimate. And, if you have doubts about a caller, your best defense is to simply hang up. It’s not rude – it’s smart. Remember, you can Stop Phone Fraud – Just Hang Up!

If you’re in doubt, it’s wise to ask the advice of a close friend or relative, or even your banker. Rely on people you can trust.

Watch out for those you know and care for

If you suspect that someone you know has fallen prey to a deceptive telemarketer, don’t critical of them for being naive. Encourage that person to share their concerns with you about unsolicited calls or any new business or charitable dealings. Assure them that it is not rude to hang up on suspicious calls. Keep in mind that criminal telemarketers are relentless in hounding people – some victims report receiving 5 or more calls a day, wearing down their resistance. And, once a person has succumbed to this ruthless fraud, their name and number will likely go on a “sucker list”, which is sold from one crook to another.

Report It – Who to Contact

It’s not always easy to spot phone scams, and new ones are invented every day. If you suspect that you may be a target of fraud, or if you have already sent funds, don’t be embarrassed – you’re not alone.

If you want to report a fraud, or if you need more information, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:

Toll Free: 1-888-495-8501  –  Email: info@antifraudcentre.ca

There are 4 types of Abuse:   Physical,  Psychological,  Financial,  Neglect

The OPP Seniors Issues Unit also provides following services to lessen victimization of Older Ontarians:

  • Research and monitor crime trends involving Seniors,
  • Develop community education,
  • Develop police training and strategies, and
  • Provide resource referrals

But I really do need a service done at my home, what do I do?

Of course as home owner there will be times when you need work done as part of routine maintenance, upgrades, modifications, renovation, painting and so on. First of all be in control and doing the calling & don’t agree to or sign anything. Get more than one quote outlining the services being provided, terms and conditions and does it meet your needs / objectives. What is the warranty on the work and ask for references of past work. If they want the job, it’s not an inconvenience to provide the information you request. If the work is of a nature that you’re not familiar with have a trusted family member act on your behalf… and review the information before agreeing to anything. During the work process, do not agree to upgrades and such. If any scope of work changes, have it in writing as an amendment to the original agreement with an explanation for the recommendation (in case you need to refer to it later).

Alternatively, you may contact us.

Chances are we’re already in your community providing personal care & services to seniors in their home. We are dedicated to caring and protecting our clients in their own Homes and Community. As such, protecting seniors from potential fraud and scams is a natural service we provide to ensure your service needs are understood, met and that you’re satisfied with the end result – without ever exposing you to any potential fraudulent interactions. Consider us as a shield against fraud as it pertains to home repairs & services.

Of course we are not with you at all times. So if you get a call about something that sounds suspicious – hang up. If you’ve opened your door and it’s a door to door sales representative trying to sell you something or a service, replacement of something or an inspection of some sort– hand them our card and say “please call these folks they will act on my behalf,” and close the door. Chances are we’ll never get a call from them! If we do get a call, we’ll collect the facts and discuss them with you before getting back to them. If it’s a scam, illegitimate or mass solicitation of services and you have not advised us a need – we will advise them that we’re not interested and to please refrain from going back to your door.

We will never partner with a contractor for services outside of our scope of work. Our business is to provide care, protection, security, and to do everything in our power to enrich the lives of the seniors we serve. Together we can put an end to this sort of crime.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slips and Falls: Cause and Affect

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Slips and Falls are a valid concern among Seniors: Falls Cause Injuries and Deathmodern stair railing design, stair railing, modern design

Falls account for more than half of all injuries among Canadians 65 years and over. One third of community-dwelling Canadian seniors experience one fall each year and half of those will fall more than once. The likelihood of dying from a fall-related injury increases with age; among seniors, 20% of deaths related to injury can be traced back to a fall. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable.

How big is the problem

  • One out of three older adults (those aged 65 or older) falls each year but less than half talk to their healthcare providers about it.
  • Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.
  • In 2010, 2.3 million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 662,000 of these patients were hospitalized.
  • In 2010, the direct medical costs of falls, adjusted for inflation, was $30 billion.

What outcomes are linked to falls?

  • Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently, and increase the risk of early death.
  • Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
  • In 2000, 46% of fatal falls among older adults were due to TBI.
  • Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls. The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.
  • Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in turn increases their actual risk of falling.

Fall Statistics

A summary of 12 studies cites the following most common reasons for falls. The effect of drugs on the elderly, and the difficulties surrounding medication compliance, are also believed to be the root cause for many of falls incidents. Apart from personal suffering, loss of independence and lower quality of life, the costs of seniors’ injuries to the health system are enormous. Seniors’ falls are also responsible for 40% of admissions to nursing homes.

Hospitalization

Falls account for 34% of all injury-related hospital admissions and 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations, making this the leading cause of injury-related admissions for seniors. Forty percent of seniors’ falls result in hip fractures and half of those who break their hips will never recover full functioning; women sustain 75–80% of all hip fractures and one in five older adults will die within 12 months of suffering a hip fracture.

Where Injuries Occur

Nearly half of all injuries among seniors occur at home. The bathroom and stairs are particularly hazardous due to the risk of slipping, tripping and stumbling.

Fear of Falling

Seniors who fall may limit their activities for fear of falling again. Yet by limiting activities, they are likely to lose strength and flexibility and increase their risk of falling again. Maintaining physical activity is essential if you wish to prevent falls and injury.

The following areas present the greatest risks for slips and falls:

      • Outside perimeter of the house
      • Stairs
      • Bathroom
      • Kitchen
      • Bedroom
      • Garage/Basement/Workrooms

 

We do installations of grab bars in washrooms or any other area where additional personal security is needed. A cost effective way of reducing slips and falls in any area where vulnerabilities present themselves… to ensure you get around the house safely.

Please contact us today, to discuss any of the above mentioned challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

Senior Care: Technology and Seniors

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Technology & Seniors2

Forget learning how to program the VCR—the technology seniors have their eyes on today includes mobile gadgets, wireless connectivity and digital devices to enhance their lives and provide themselves with a greater sense of safety and personal support.

There have been ample research studies conducted and statistical results consistently uncovered that: It is a popular concept that technology and seniors can blend together and live in a balanced environment.

Of course, with the challenges of home health care of seniors, it is no wonder that seniors are turning to technology to augment their ability to remain at home longer and regain some of their lost independence. Gone are the days when we would worry about our elderly parents living by themselves. Now, we can simply check on their health status (remotely) as technology aides us.

Naturally, with this increasing trend and available technology seniors can keep themselves in the loop and live out their normal lives with minimal invasion of privacy. If technology can be easily accessed and used by the younger population, seniors can handle technology as well? As a result, seniors now purchase top-of-the-line gadgets like smart phones, tablet readers, home PC’s, portable music players and laptops. Some of these seniors even kick it up a notch and decide to purchase gaming consoles. Truly, technology is slowly breaking new boundaries and making seniors more adaptive to their technological environment.

But then, do these senior citizens take the time to actually learn about these gadgets? While a lot of technological breakthroughs have been beneficial to seniors in terms of rehabilitation and treatment, there is no guarantee that anything a senior citizen wishes to buy will be conducive for his or her wellness, unless he or she chooses to learn about it.

With that in mind, seniors should keep in mind the following tips to ensure they work well with these new technologies.

Get connected because seniors want to, not because they have to
Many seniors face the pressure to be connected to social media platforms. Usually, this pressure is due to the coaxing of their kids who want to connect with them digitally. While it is nice for a senior citizen to set up a Facebook or a Twitter profile, he or she should first examine their reason for connecting on the web. Do they really want to establish that connection and exposure? Or do they do it just to get their kids off their back?

Knowing the reason for using technology is important because the reason has to be powerful enough for the senior to push through with the learning process. As long as the seniors who use technology learn about it in order for them to message their loved ones easily, you can be sure that they will be more than willing to learn.

 Be willing to invest for convenience
Seniors should do well and not dwell on the price of technological gadgets. More often than not, a lot of cheap gadgets are acceptable, but they are not necessarily the best.

Seniors should go ahead and skip on asking about the price – they should focus on the features of the gadget instead. Will it be convenient to use? Is it senior-friendly? Will it meet their lifestyle needs? Does it have ease of access features? Will it be supported and around for the long term?

Ask advice from the best resources – the senior citizen’s family.
Usually, it’s better for a senior to ask a family member to help them set up their gadgets. Talking to customer service representatives is a bit difficult because these agents follow a script – sometimes, these scripts can’t be customized to be understood by the casual technological consumer (this is not simply a senior challenge).

Finding a teenager relative who can explain it in simpler terms will yield better results. Don’t be afraid to ask for their explanation and advice – they’re your family (or connect with a Home Care Service provider who can safely facilitate this on your behalf).

Yes, technology exists and it is interesting to dabble in it. At the end of the day, what really matters is if a senior was able to learn how to use it and benefits from it.

So now that we’ve briefly discussed how technology can effectively interface with our senior generation…Is Grandma going gadget-crazy? Not quite yet? Yes? According to a 2012 survey by Pew Research: The number of older adults using the Internet and related technological devices are increasing, with over half of seniors using the Internet and owning smart phones. Realistically, there’s still a long way to go before we can consider ourselves, or our senior citizens to be fully tech savvy. The fact is, today’s technology can keep us engaged, connected, mentally active, physically safe. Thus making it increasingly important for our loved ones to keep themselves in the high-tech loop. So what devices should seniors and their caregivers have their eye on?

Must-Have Technology for today’s Senior:

  • Tablets and iPads: From games that promote brain fitness to apps that track personal health information, tablet can have a variety of positive impacts on seniors’ lives. Seniors can view photos, listen to music, read, learn languages—plus these devices are lightweight, their touch screens are easy to use, and font sizes can be adjusted for easier reading.
  • Hearing aids: Having to wear a bulky listening device is no longer an excuse for older adults to go without hearing aides. The continuing miniaturization of hearing devices and the improvement of wireless transmission methods like Bluetooth has meant great strides in hearing assistive technology. Hearing aides can be tiny, transparent, and nearly invisible—or even implanted inside the ear itself.
  • Video and computer games: Whether it’s a sporting video game, arcade games, Angry Birds, or the Nintendo Wii, video games have been shown to improve cognition, mental agility, and even physical health for seniors, with devices such as the Wii Fit. Not only that, video games can promote social interaction.
  • Skype: Speaking of social interaction, one piece of software every senior should get familiar with is Skype. Communicating with family long-distance is a snap, you can view your loved ones in real time, and it’s available for smartphones, tablets, and regular computers.
  • Health tracking software: If your senior loved one has a computer or a mobile device, they should be aware of the wealth of software features and apps available to help monitor their health, remind them of their medications, track their nutritional needs and empowering them to take charge of their own wellness. It’s a branch of technology that’s invaluable for caregivers, too.
  • Wireless Internet: Most of the technologies on this list wouldn’t be possible without wireless Internet. If you want your senior parent to take full advantage of these devices, make sure their residence is internet-ready. Even nursing homes are now using wireless Internet technology to make it easier for residents and care providers to communicate quickly.
  • Smartphones: Cell phones are becoming more senior-friendly, with models that have larger buttons, larger font features, readouts as well as photo speed dialling and voice command to make usage easier. Not only are cell phones crucial to helping seniors stay connected with friends and family, they may also help perform critical safety functions like providing medication reminders and GPS locations.
  • Wireless home monitoring: Home monitoring systems that employ sensor devices can be, literally, lifesavers for those seniors who live alone, either at home or in an assisted living environment. They can detect emergencies such as falls, report unusual behaviour, and even track vital signs—without intruding on privacy.
  • GPS: If you’ve got a senior loved one who is concerned about getting lost, or who has dementia and occasionally wanders, GPS technology can immediately alert caregivers to their location if they leave their comfort zone. There are separate GPS trackers that attach to the wrist or clothing, as well as smartphone GPS apps.
  • Home assistive devices: Assistive technology in the home can go far in helping seniors remain independent and safe in their own homes. Besides home monitoring and GPS, there are devices such as LED lighting, medication dispensing appliances, photo-enhanced phone diallers, and stove shut-off systems, all of which can help seniors with mild cognitive and motor impairment.

While these technologies and devices do enhance the lives of our elderly and allowing them to remain in their homes for as long as possible, certainly are not aimed at replacing the role of routine caregivers altogether. Technology is to be use in conjunction with caregiver visits to ensure devices are being used and functioning appropriately. As conditions of the Clients change so must the range of technologies and care giving services.

We, at In Our Care – Home Care Services can determine what technology is best suited for you depending on your current challenges, goals and objectives. Talk to us about it, your in-home assessment is at no cost and may identify simple solutions to enhance your daily life, promote increased personal safety and peace of mind. Our ultimate objective is to help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at homecare@inourcareservices.com

 

Senior Care: Alzheimer’s & Dementia

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Alzheimers

Caring for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

While there’s nothing wrong with bingo as an activity, there are many reasons to think creatively when it comes to activities for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia.

One of the keys is that the activity should be meaningful for the person. Often, meaning is tied to past occupation or hobbies, so what’s meaningful for one person might not be so for another. Whether you’re caring for a loved one in your own home or for a patient at a facility, consider the person’s interests, occupation and passions. If you work in a facility and don’t know the person’s history, ask their family members or observe their reaction to different activities. Then, choose a few activities they’ve responded well to and note the areas of interest. Here are a few types of people and corresponding activities to consider.

  • The Homemaker For those individuals who primarily took care of a home, you might offer a cloth to dust dressers or handrails, or to wash the table. They might enjoy folding a basket of washcloths and towels, or the task of setting the table. The object here is not to have the individual do large amounts of work, but rather to give the person something familiar and meaningful to do.
Just a note here. If you’re using this idea in a facility, you may want to ask the physician for an order that allows therapeutic work and receive permission from the family as well.
  • The Fix It Individual Was your loved one the fixer, the handyman, or the go-to guy? Maybe he’d like to sort through and match up nuts and bolts, or tighten screws into pieces of wood. Perhaps he’d like to connect smaller PVC pipes together. There are also activity boards with lots of “to do” things attached that you can purchase.
  • The Mechanic If his passion is cars, maybe he’d enjoy looking at pictures of old cars or tinkering with smaller engine parts. Some towns hold car events where older cars are displayed or driven down a road; if yours does, consider bringing him to that event. He also may be able to help you wash the car.
  • The Pencil Pusher For the person who sat at a desk and worked with papers, pens and pencils, she might love having a pile of papers to file, an adding machine or calculator to use, forms to complete or documents to read. Some people might like carrying a notebook and pen around to write down information.
  • The Musician If music is her thing, offer her opportunities to use this gift. People in the early to mid-stages of Alzheimer’s may be able to sing in a choir or play the piano. I know one woman with dementia who leads a sing-along almost daily because of her musical gifts. She’ll even take requests for which songs to play, and despite her poor memory, plays songs almost faultlessly.
If he enjoys listening to music rather than performing it, make recordings of his favorite songs and play them for him.
  • The Parent / Caregiver Have you ever noticed how people with dementia often brighten up and take note when babies and children are around? A child can often get a response when adults fail. Interactions with children and babies have been a normal part of many people’s lives. Sometimes when a person is living in a facility with other people of similar age or living at home and not getting out often, they no longer interact regularly with kids. Create opportunities for interaction with kids, whether that’s arranging for a visiting time, going on a walk together or bringing by your new baby to a facility near you.
Some older adults, particularly women, may also enjoy holding and caring for a baby doll. Often, the person connects with that baby doll and enjoys the sense of a familiar role in caregiving for the doll
  • The Animal Lover If your family member loves pets, consider having him walk the dog with you or brush the dog’s hair. If he’s not able to do these things, he might enjoy having a bird or two in a cage or a fish aquarium to watch. 
In the middle to late stages of Alzheimer’s, some people are comforted by holding a stuffed kitten or puppy. I’ve often observed them stroking the fur and holding it close.
  • The Gardener Is she an accomplished gardener? Provide her with a place to plant seeds, water them and watch them grow. She might also enjoy flower arranging or harvesting and preparing vegetables.
  • The Puzzler Although people with dementia typically have impaired memories, some of them are still quite capable of doing crossword puzzles, word searches and jumbles. Others might enjoy simple jigsaw puzzles as well. Have some different puzzle opportunities sitting out for your loved one to do.
  • The Engineer If he collected trains growing up, or is simply fascinated by them, consider setting up an electric train so he can help arrange the tracks or simply watch the activity. You can also gather a book collection or movies about trains.
  • The Sports Fan Provide the avid sports lover the chance to mini putt, do Wii bowling, play the beanbag tossing game or watch a little league baseball game. You can also arrange for several people to get together to watch the big game on television and eat some junk food, or, I mean healthy alternatives. Or, perhaps he’d get a kick out of sorting through and organizing baseball cards.
  • The Artist Art provides a creative outlet to make something, so it provides a purpose and a task. Gather some non-toxic clay, watercolor paints, washable markers, colored pens or pencils, and paper. You can use these materials in a directed way i.e. “Here’s some clay for you. Today let’s try to make a flower vase” or a non-directed way “There’s art supplies laid out on the table. Feel free to choose any color of paint to get started.” Clay and paint are great for tactile stimulation and they provide a way to occupy and strengthen the hands as well.
  • The Faithful Don’t neglect this important area. For many people, as they age, the importance of spiritual nurturing increases. Offer them books of faith in keeping with their tradition, times of prayer or meditation, or singing together.

Sources:

Alzheimer’s Society. Keeping active and staying involved. Accessed August 23, 2012.