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Hello. My mother is 68 yr old with early Alzheimer's. She was diagnosed 4 years ago and is in the "moderate" stage. Since the signs started showing (a few years before diagnosed date), her verbalization skills have decreased over time. She cannot complete sentences of even get them out. Her memory has faded as well but it's the verbalization that is the major debilitator. Her attitude though is wonderful. My mom is the sweetest and happiest person I know (god knows I would be crying every day if I was in her place). My issue is finding activities and things for her to do to stay active. She has a TON of energy. Goes to the gym with her caretaker 5 times a week. Sometimes girlfriends come over and take her out. But it's just not enough. She's always in front of the TV and she get's antsy. I've asked the caretaker to do activities with her but mom doesn't like games (and they are very simple). Reading is a challenge. They take walks and we give money every week for them go get coffee/lunches/movies. It's just not enough. My mom needs PURPOSE. She needs a "job", something to do to stay active. I've tried daycare but she doesn't like it. She didn't like being around the sick patients. The daycare worked so hard to accommodate us but she just wasn't happy. She likes to be around "normal" people, even though she cannot talk much, she enjoys it. I've been racking my brain to think of things she can do, like tasks at home or games to play. She never really had any hobbies. I would love to know if there are places she can go that give jobs to people who are in her condition. Not a real job of course, but stuffing envelopes or menial tasks. This would fill her days and give her something to look forward to. I would even give her a fake paycheck so she can get paid every week, I know she would love that. I just want my mom to be the happiest she can be and to see that she has the best life to live out her days. Any suggestions would be appreciate!

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The one and only activity we found for my father was putting the Keurig pods in the pod holder. He’s further along than your mom, and in a much more debilitated state. We tried sorting towels and wash cloths as well as sorting quarters and pennies. None of that worked, however. We also tried simple puzzles, coloring books, and big legos, but that was a total bust.
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I think you need to look at what your mom did before she retired and developed dementia, try to find something that aligns with her former career. There may also be volunteer organizations that would welcome an extra pair of hands if she is supervised by her caregiver.
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One of our ALs allows people to come for the activities for a small charge. My Mom loved the little concerts her AL put on. She would sit and and tap her foot.
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Here are a combination of possibilities from my volunteer experience and my Mom's stay in AL/Memory care.
- Folding laundry. Towels, face cloths, small pieces. (The AL used to keep a bin of items that got folded every day : - ))
- Make a small bean bag type thing and play a toss game with the aide playing too to see who gets the most points.
- Puzzles
- Definitely call local non-profits. Depending upon the aide's ability to get her there and her abilities she can contribute by folding newsletters, clipping food coupons, measuring bulk items for distribution (rice for example), stuffing envelopes, sorting clothing for a thrift store, sorting food donations at a food pantry, etc
- In nice weather, ask the aide to bring her to a local playground. My Mom loved watching the kids on swings and climbing bars
- Check local churches for afternoon music programs. Often on Sundays but one of ours has them on Friday's at noon. They are usually less than an hour.
Good luck
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I will suggest to find something from the past that she loved.
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