I have a question my mom who is 90 years old had been experiencing some short-term memory loss so he took her to the doctor. They tested her and they put her on DONZEPIL AnyWho, to make a long story short she only took two days of the pill cause it made her extra sleepy so she doesn’t want to take it anymore. My question is what are some things that I can do with her to keep her memory .. any type of games things like that but here’s the kicker she has macular degeneration and cannot see very well. So if anybody can offer any suggestions as to what I can do daily, she has a big calendar and she checks those days off every day, but she just sits in front of the TV and doesn’t want to do anything.. I have gotten her to play tic-tac-toe with me and she’s enjoyed that but I’m trying to think of some things that will boost her brain so I will take any suggestions. Thank you.
walking
sunshine
hydration
healthy diet (unprocessed foods)
chores--folding laundry, putting away silverware in drawer, wiping counters
driving around in car
hearing aids if needed
our library has discussion groups and lectures on a variety of subjects, a local college offers a lifelong learning program where seniors can attend lectures, sporting events, and musical/symphony/performing arts offerings. We mostly do simple things like going to parks for fresh air and exercise and conversation. Local senior centers offer many activities and on Fridays a shared lunch, a nearby ALF has a day program with activities (we haven’t tried this, but it looks like fun),as does a nice nursing home in our area, local museums are fun and even if he can’t see clearly he can see some and it’s something different, and my dad likes gardening so we go to area nurseries a lot and even though he can’t get out in the yard, he can sit on a chair and plant flowers in pots that I set
around. When it is cold outside we go out to lunch or try new coffee shops. If there are people sitting nearby, like other older gentlemen, I sometimes try to strike up a conversation with them and loop Dad in—have had may fun encounters that way and he then has other people to talk to. Sometimes we just go for a drive and listen to music and maybe get a treat like a milkshake. Anything to keep busy and engaged. Sometimes I have to remind him what we have been doing—I’m never sure if he just thinks it’s all boring or if he doesn’t remember what we have done cause he will always tell people that all he does is sit around and read (which he does do a lot). While we do these things I try to ask him about his past, his opinions about things like politics, his preferences—like “do you have a favorite instrument that you like the sound of?”, as we listen to jazz in the car. After five and a half years conversation subjects are getting pretty repetitive, but sometimes he likes to repeat favorite subjects (like politics). Someone here mentioned making sure you let them continue to do as much for themselves as they safely can. I messed up on that over the years, thinking I was being loving and taking care of him like mom did. Folding their own laundry and putting it away (he does do that), helping with any daily tasks, I am told, is very good. My dad won’t try to play games or cards but you can purchase old favs and playing cards that are made larger and even in colors that are suppose to be easier for them to see (I even found dice made this way), on Amazon. He reads on a Kindle with a very large font and a black background. He also plays solitaire on it, which is helpful.
Hope something works for you!
To keep your Mom's brain active, did she enjoy TV game shows? Such as "The Price is Right" with Bob Barker... "Concentration" (had a variety of hosts)... "Password" with Allen Ludden. If so, these older shows are on cable TV networks such as BUZZR and Game Show Network (GSN).
It's difficult for someone with macular degeneration to visually interact at times but she probably would enjoy music or any games where she would be able to see very well what's going on.
As is mentioned, dementia and Alzheimer's are not reversible but what does help moods sometimes is a good diet and staying hydrated and engaged. Perhaps when you are ready you can hire an aide or CNA to help her.... And consider if it would be better to put her in skilled nursing or continued help at home.
If her dementia is anything but early the medication probably would not have helped anyway.
Honestly at 90 I probably would be surprised if she did not have some short term memory problems. I mean who doesn't?
Keep her as active as she can be.
Spend as much time with her as you can.
Let her continue to do for herself what she can.
When it becomes unsafe for her to remain at home alone (if she is alone, you said "he" took her to the doctor...) once she is unsafe to remain at home then you can discuss either a caregiver or a facility or other option that would work for the family.
If there is an Adult Day Program she might want to get involved with that. Generally they pick up in the morning, provide a breakfast, lunch, snack and activities.