Indoor activities for elderly mother?

Question

My elderly mother in law is coming to live with us very soon,she is 86 but still quite healthy, can walk and talk and she even play zenga once. i'm thinking what other activities can she do at home other than just watching tv. I've been thinking maybe some art & craft things from joanne fabrid or michaels arts. or maybe baking cookie. but i need more input and ideas. any interesteding art & crafts stuff that elderly peoples might like? note: she can't lift heavy stuff or bend her back since she hurt her back before.
Thank you!

Answer 1

Your mother-in-law is fortunate to have your concern! Keeping active and engaged in life is one of the secrets to quality living in the later years and and you are wise to know this!

Being a family caregiver is a big job! This is true whether you are a "live with your your elderly relative" caregiver or whether you are caring from "long-distance." You may want to contact the Area Agency on Aging to find information and resources that will be helpful to your mother-in-law and to you! The information you will find will help now and help you and your familyto "keep caring" if your mother-in-law's situation becomes more challenging.

Your local Area Agency on Aging serving the county where you live has staff that know how to listen to seniors and their family members and can provide guidance and advice that may be of great help. You can call 1-800-677-1116 toll free to find out the phone number of the local Area Agency on Aging office. When you call the Area Agency office, ask for the person who provides "Information and Assistance" or "Help for Family Caregivers." If you make this call, I am confident that you will find friendly and helpful people. Also, the Area Agency on Aging will know about the senior centers and transportation services that provide help in your community. This group will also be able to tell you if there is a Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) or Foster Grandparent program that serve your area. If so, these volunteer opportunities are options that your mother-in-law--and you--will want to investigate.

It's important to know that Area Agencies on Aging aren't selling a particular service, "insurance plan" or other product. The information you'll receive will come from people who talk to seniors and families every day and who will provide you objective information.

When you talk with the folks at the Area Agency on Aging ---you should ask about services that might be available to you as a family caregiver--ask about available in-home services that may be needed for your mother now or in the future. These services are for the seniors' benefit as well as for family caregivers like you.

You also will find information about instruments such as "living wills" and "powers of attorney." Perhaps you and your mother-in-law have sorted these kinds of issues out already, but if not, discussing these sorts of arrangements now, while your mother-in-law is in good health living with you would be advisable. Your mother-in-law,.you and other family members will want to figure out arrangements for "powers of attorney" and have a "living will" in place --and throughly discussed -- before an emergency arises. Your Area Agency on Aging would have information about these matters and would know how to connect you with professionals who specialize in this. Usually the Area Agency has "boiler plate" versions of these types of documents to get conversations in this sensitive area started. If your mother is low-income, the Area Agency may know of legal services that can help deal with these kinds of legal matters..

If you call the Area Agency on Aging and like the help that you receive, let your county elected officials know and tell your members of Congress. Area Agencies don't have big budgets--in fact appropriations for most services funded under the Older Americans Act have not increased significantly in 25 years! You will not be charged for the information you receive, however, any financial contribution you or your mother might make for the time and assistance devoted to your situation would be very welcomed--and would go toward helping more of your older friends and neighbors and their caregivers.

I hope this helps. Thanks for a great question and for caring! Best wishes and good luck to you and your mother!

Answer 2

Depending on where you live, she might like to go to a senior center for daytime activities. Some places will even pick up the person and take them there and then return them to home. There are also Senior Day Care facilities that have the same services. Senior Day Care may have a fee, but it will be reasonable. Whatever you do, avoid having her watch tv all day. Nothing destroys the mind more than passivity. Keep the mind active. Each state has a Commission on Aging, and some states may call it something different. You might ask her doctor to give you the name of the agency in your state. Call them and ask for a booklet on the agencies and organizations in your area that are available for the elderly.

Answer 3

I used to work at a nursing home and we did several things with the residents. We played a lot of cards, tried to get them involved in new technology by introducing them to easy computer programs, we did exercises (led by videos), and encouraged them to get into gardening. Also, puzzles, puzzlebooks, novels, and even getting them a pet all help pass the time.

Answer 4

Scrapbooking, Crochet, Cross stitch, Latch hook is very simple, inexpenisve and fun! Internet games (like bingo, dominoes), Painting is really fun, though a little expensive for canvas. Perhaps a windowsill herb garden.

Answer 5

There are several good answers for you already. However, I would add this thought: Whatever you decide for Mom to do, please make it age-appropriate for her. What I mean is, don't purchase things that are meant to be done by 10 year olds. No dignity there. Also, if she can crochet or knit, perhaps she could make baby blankets for Project Linus, or similar projects, or mittens, hats and scarves for homeless in your city. God bless you for really caring for your mom

Answer 6

These 2 sites have rather easy crafts. Some are for children and some are for seniors.
http://www.craftown.com/projects.htm
http://www.craftbits.com