My mom is in the later stages Dementia, and cannot do many activities on her own. She forgets what she is doing and needs direction ( folding washcloths is ok, hand towels we have to tell her what to do. Then for each we have to tell her where to place them when done. Then remind her where the pile is, and that there is more she can do). She is fine if I sit and do things with her, but I can't do this every min of the day. She was a very busy person; always doing things for others before dementia, so I get that its part of her make up. But it's very hard to hear it all day long, or come up with things she can do on her own. She is on anxiety meds, but they do not seem to help with this issue. She is not on a schedule, it is hard to get her to fall asleep at the same time, then up at the same time. But would it help?
It's good for her to fold "laundry" but I suggest you get a lot more and then don't have any expectation for how she folds it. When she's done with the pile, no matter what it looks like, thank her, then offer another task, like sorting plastic utensils, matching/pairing colored socks or poker chips, coloring in an adult coloring book, reading aloud to you while you work... you get the idea. Those were all things that my 100-yr old Aunt with advanced dementia was able to do.
In the end I think it would be best for you to consider Adult Day Care or a companion aid for her. My 2 very elderly Aunts (one with dementia, one who was completely competent) had an agency hired companion aid for 6 yrs, 30 hrs a week and she was awesome. She even did light housework, some food prep, took them out on errands and walks and helped with their hygiene.
I would also discuss the repetitive talk with her doctor. Sometimes it's not the right meds in the right dosage. Even if the meds used to work, sometimes her body just changes and so does the effectiveness of the meds.
Kudos to you for caring for her so well! May you receive peace in your heart on this journey.
If you don't have the time to spend with her directing and guiding her all day, could you maybe hire a companion aide who can take the time with her?
Would she respond well to Adult Day Care? It would give her something to do during the day, and some socialization.
You could try writing down tasks for her on a large whiteboard, and include scheduled activities, such as snack, nap, a favorite tv show, and dinner. Having a schedule that she recognizes and feels familiar can help to calm her brain and her anxiety.
If you're looking for more tasks to keep her busy, try dusting, sweeping, planning dinners for the week ahead and making a shopping list.
It certainly was not worth pushing her towards the next level of this disease...
aphasia ... ya.. some of the residents were happy she wasn't repeating GO HOME.. GO HOME..
do not try to correct your loved ones when they reach this stage..
I truly don't know why I thought a name, word was worth correcting.. in the end, it didn't really matter.,
my mother's mantra was, "Go home, go home,go home.."
it was heart breaking., I'll never forget..
One afternoon I asked her what my name is..."Barbara""", she said..
mom, that's not my name...
that was the last time she ever spoke..😥
They serve breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack and mom can be there up to 8 hours per day and up to 5 days a week. And they will even pick her up and drop her off if needed.
Of course there's a cost(worth every penny), but if money is an issue most offer some financial assistance.
Plus she'd get to be around other folks her own age and get to socialize with someone other than you.
It's a win win all the way around.