Activities for Confused Adults

[Amy2005]

This is a request for ideas for some activities that an older confused adult could

participate in, during the day, while sitting in a wheelchair. It was suggested by

one person that folding towels/facecloths is something that they could do.

Any more idea?

Thanks

[redrooster]

Hello Guys, Good to listen to all your stories and it really shows that you are all enjoying yourselves working in the care of the older person as myself. Anyway, I'd like to add another idea that could work if you would like to find the most appropriate activity for your resident. Try making a life history book with the person and his/her family and this will help you find out more about the person and the activity that will suit him/her.

Good luck!

________________________

We need to look pass beyond

the physical limitations to understand

the person and provide what he/she wants.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Some of our ladies NEED to be useful and they happily fold the washcloths every morning. When they are done we mess them up again.

Puzzles. SOme love them.

Music works wonders. So does dancing for them and singing. Makes them happy to see someone being silly.

BINGO! Even the really confused ones like to be there for it. And they get MAD if it's cancelled!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

If, God forbid, I get dementia and end up in a nursing home, NO ONE better give me a pile of ANYTHING to fold or they will most likely be wearing it. Maybe if we all get dementia, we'll still have computers to play on!

[debRN0417]

I saw a group once of very confused folks and they were tearing ip colored tissue paper into small pieces and making a mosiac (sp?) type designs with it. The activity person took that type of saran wrap that is sticky on one side and they putall their pieces on that in whatever design it turned out to be. They then placed another piece of the sticky saran wrap over it and smoothed it out and made beautiful stained glass looking pieces. The residents tore paper for a long time and one large piece of tissue lasted quite a while because they tore them in such small pieces. I thought they lasted a good amount of time with this before some got distracted, but they kept coming back and tearing a little more...and a little more... it was great !

[Fngrpntsnotasin]

We have a resident who used to be a chemist and who likes to be helpful, so we have him write out elements and equations, he also helps wipe tables down. These are just some ways to redirect. It helps to know about the resident's past...everyone will be different. We also have some residents who like to fold towels, do puzzles, and shape sorters are nice too.