We got my dad an iPad and preloaded a few apps

Solitaire is a favorite. You could look for poker or games like checkers that he could play with the aid as they help him learn how to use it.

I posted on here a couple months ago and got good suggestions for apps, music, preloaded photo libraries. Simpler is better. It’s worth paying for ad free versions of whatever games you might get. 99% of what my dad uses his for is solitaire but he uses it for hours a day now that he’s pretty confined to home.

Try to find a village nearby that he can join, http://dcvillages.org/

Anonymous wrote:Just mentioning this ~ my Dad with dementia (or alzheimers) spent the afternoon with his old college roommate, who also had dementia. They didn't remember each other. To them it was like meeting for the first time and they liked each other a lot, just like before.

this seems like it should be the plot of a movie. it’s very sweet! and sad.

Just mentioning this ~ my Dad with dementia (or alzheimers) spent the afternoon with his old college roommate, who also had dementia. They didn't remember each other. To them it was like meeting for the first time and they liked each other a lot, just like before.

Anonymous wrote:Come up with a daily and weekly routine/schedule.

Maybe every morning after breakfast they walk to a certain store/coffee shop and get a coffee or the newspaper.
Maybe every MWF they go to the gym.
Maybe Tuesday is $5 at the movie theater day. Thursday is volunteering at the soup kitchen, etc. Having structure will take the burden off the caregiver and keep them both busy enough. Just 1-2 big things a day is sufficient.

OP, this is super helpful. Some caregivers are go getters while others are very empathetic and supportive, but not necessarily be strong here. They may really appreciate this kind of guidance.

Also, someone made the suggestion that music from your dad's younger years may be good. They can play it in the car or in the background when playing cards, bingo, eating meals, etc. My FiL can no longer follow TV shows or the plot line in an audio book, but the soundtrack of his youth and middle years appears to be soothing and familiar.

Dad would tell caregiver to take Mom to the slot machines in Harrington DE to get Mom out of the house.

Starbucks

Parks

Museums

Barbershop

Check events at senior center

Ours has occasional interesting lectures by college professors on topics.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, trying to get him to agree to assisted living. He’s very against it. Maybe being bored out of his mind will make that happen more quickly? His aide is great and will happily drive him around vs sitting in the house all day watching tv.

It can be hard to make that leap because at home = sense of independence, while an AL setting or even steps up from there can = more regular socialization. My mom moved from home into a memory care unit and it was a huge benefit for her. Even the staff commented on how she really seemed to blossom in the move.

Come up with a daily and weekly routine/schedule.

Maybe every morning after breakfast they walk to a certain store/coffee shop and get a coffee or the newspaper.
Maybe every MWF they go to the gym.
Maybe Tuesday is $5 at the movie theater day. Thursday is volunteering at the soup kitchen, etc. Having structure will take the burden off the caregiver and keep them both busy enough. Just 1-2 big things a day is sufficient.

OP - I would do some research on where he lives through the local Office on Aging or similar to see what local senior centers offer in terms of day activities he might enjoy. Also, if he is near a college, see if there are any Ollie or Life Long Learning classes which are usually 4-6 sessions held at easily accessible community spots in the daytime. I would also do research on the local library to see if there might be any kind of a day program he might enjoy. Would he be interested in going to a day time movie as most movie chains now have a section for those who need to go with an aide who should not be charged to attend? Are there organizations in your area such as historical sites, museums which may offer day time tours or programs of interest to him? You might contact the local Volunteer Center to see if there might be any kind of volunteer job he might do with the assistance of his aide once or seek or even only a couple of times a month.

Yes, trying to get him to agree to assisted living. He’s very against it. Maybe being bored out of his mind will make that happen more quickly? His aide is great and will happily drive him around vs sitting in the house all day watching tv.

He needs a social setting. Be careful about asking too much of the aide. If he likes the person you don't want to ask too much. I understand he recently moved already, but really socially the ideal setting is at an AL. There are also senior day programs and some offer transport. The problem is they can close unexpectedly if too many staff call in sick. So much easier when they are living at a place with built in activities and plenty of peers.

Where my mom is there is a senior center with activities, she plays cards and does yoga. She is not that mobile and does not drive and also attends with HHA.

Anonymous wrote:My dad has some dementia and recently moved to a new area (not near me). He's bored, and his aide, while nice, doesn't seem very proactive in keeping him busy. If you have older parents who aren't terribly mobile, what do they do to keep busy? Bingo? Senior center? Card games? He likes poker, but I'm not sure how to go about finding a poker game near him. He's not mobile enough for pickleball or anything lite that. He is going to the gym a few times a week for weights, but other than that they just go out to eat and run errands.

I'd love some idea of things to do besides watching tv. He doesn't read, unfortunately.

Audiobooks or podcasts?

My dad has some dementia and recently moved to a new area (not near me). He's bored, and his aide, while nice, doesn't seem very proactive in keeping him busy. If you have older parents who aren't terribly mobile, what do they do to keep busy? Bingo? Senior center? Card games? He likes poker, but I'm not sure how to go about finding a poker game near him. He's not mobile enough for pickleball or anything lite that. He is going to the gym a few times a week for weights, but other than that they just go out to eat and run errands.

I'd love some idea of things to do besides watching tv. He doesn't read, unfortunately.