Jigsaw puzzles? My great aunt used to have one on her dining room table perpetually. Whenever I'd go visit she'd be there, drinking her coffee, smoking, and either complaining or exulting over her progress. Seriously they are relaxing and good for the mind. I like keeping one going myself.

There is also sudoku, cross word puzzles, solitaire card games. . .

http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-...p-aging-brains-sharp

Hi liese

Not sure if the above link will work-I'm trying to add it from my phone
so it may not be successful. It's about a computer game designed to improve
brain functioning. Google "road tour computer game" if the link doesn't work
and that should find it!

Searching

Word games, sudoku etc

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I have to get her mind moving again - although she's been so much more mellow lately and staying out of my business. It's a double-edged sword. Just kidding.

Liese,

I am new to these forums so forgive me if I blunder a bit. My mom is in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease currently and I am her caregiver. She lives in a memory care center since February.

When she was where your mom is I would beg for her to do something. Anything. Play a game put together a puzzle, take a walk. Unfortunately, apathy seems to be one of the first overriding symptoms of dimentia. Try to encourage your mom with games, puzzles etc., but be prepared when she won't really follow through. Don't take it personally. It is the disease.

I know you said "not adult daycare" but the best thing for her is social contact with others. If not daycare, could you encourage her to join an excercise class, take tennis lessons, or dance? Anything the requires movement of the body while trying to learn a new routine seems to really help strengthen the ability of the mind to recall memories. I think the extra oxygen to the brain really helps.

My mom just wouldn't do anything. Unfortunatly I lived 400 miles away and could not participate with her. I think if I had been closer and could have taken her to a class or the Y or something she would have enjoyed it. Now its just too late.

I hope some of what I said helps. If you have any questions that I can help with let me know.

Jillann

((((JILLANN))))

Your post was very informative. Thank you so much for all the information. I didn't know that about the apathy. I'm physically close to my Mom and so more in a position to help her. I've suggested anti-depressants but she said no. (She said she's depressed.) She took her own Mom to the doctor and put her on anti-depressants so I have a bit of leverage there. I'm hoping they would perk her up a bit and motivate her to go out.

My grandmother lived until she was 92 and saw every one of her friends and relatives die. I think about how I might feel if every single person I had an attachment to died. It seems like the only way to cope would be to continue to form new attachments but when you experience so much loss, it has to be hard.