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Remember the old days, as a child, going outside and playing in the yard, creek, or river?
I grew up in Bowden and as much as I would love it now, I did not appreciate all the wonderful parts of growing up in a remote area. Don't get me wrong, my grandparents were just down the road and they were our best friends, playing with us, teaching us how to drive a tractor, to work hard in the garden, and many rummy games in the evening.
We also had great cousins who would come visit and we would hang out and have a great time together. But I always wanted to live in Elkins.
I have amazing memories, all throughout grade school, of playing kick the can, teaching class in the garage, delivering newspapers, making snow angels, building cheerleader pyramids, and riding canoes at Riverview Drive.
Thankfully, I was a fixture at the Valentine house in South Elkins. There were actually kids next door and down the street and we could stay out all day and into the night, since it was such a kid-friendly neighborhood.
People who have memory loss get bored very easily as well. They have lost the ability to do simple things that make them happy... such as, watching their favorite TV show, listening to music, reading the newspaper, writing in a journal, etc.
The activities that once made them happy and content, are now causing frustration and agitation as they can no longer "accomplish those tasks." What can be done to help your loved one cope with a long, boring day?
Here are some great ideas...
Did your loved one work outside of the home? Just think, a person who retires at 62, worked for 40 plus years. Work is a huge part of someone's life and routine. For example, if your loved one was a teacher -- a great idea is to set up a desk, get some math worksheets (or whatever field of teaching they were in) and have them "grade the papers." Try and recreate their work space. Get red pencils for grading, and a holder full of pens and pencils; put a shiny red apple on their desk, get cards made with their name and subject on it (several websites have card-making cheap and easy), or a nametag.
The above example can work for any profession. Do a deep dive into being a coal miner, truck driver, secretary, basketball coach, stay at home mom, caregiver, etc.
Set up an area in the home that relates to something they have done for many years.
A lot of times, women who are in the middle to late-stage Alzheimer's will carry a "baby" with them. Every woman who has had a child will remember what it is like to hold a baby. As "childish" as some people might think it is, it makes the person happy and feel like they have a purpose. I will go into having a purpose at a later date!
Boredom equals behaviors and behaviors can equal agitation and aggression. And it is much easier to keep the boredom away than trying to bring someone out of a bored state of mind.