Senior Savvy: Remembering with Dad

Q: My father has some memory loss. I know it is important to have a routine but I need help in coming up with creative ideas for my father during the day. Can you list a few activities that would be beneficial for him? He has a caretaker with him four days per week for three hours per day.

A: One idea is to encourage your father to reminisce as best he can and write down (or tape) the conversations. For example, if your father was in the military, find pictures of people in the armed services and then start a conversation asking your father about his military days; what was boot camp like? Did you have KP? Ask your father to salute, and ask questions about his service.

This technique can be used to talk about his family (siblings, parents, cousins, etc.). If your father enjoyed building things, go to an arts and crafts store and purchase a bird feeder that needs to be put together, painted and put outside. Remind your father that he built the bird feeder. Your father and the caregiver can put food in the bird feeder and sit by a window to watch the birds.

Purchase a beach ball and play catch in the house in a safe way, away from fragile items. Then talk about swimming, going to the beach, eating food at the beach. From there drink some lemonade or eat food reminiscent about the beach.

Think about your father and ideas will flow. "The Best Friends Book of Alzheimer's Activities" is a good resource with many ideas. There are two volumes.

Q: I read somewhere that certain lighting is important during the late afternoon and evening hours. My mother is more confused during the late afternoon and I would like to change the lighting if it will help my mother. Can you shed any light on this?

A: As we age we need more light to see. If your mother has cataracts or macular degeneration, she needs even more light. The type of light is important. For example, if a home has wall sconces and it throws a shadow, it can look like something besides a sconce, causing agitation and unnecessary worry.

Try to eliminate glare or shadows and use a bright light. The best solution is having lighting that mimics daylight.

If there is florescent lighting, replace the cover with parabolic grid. This grid will eliminate shadows and diffuse the light. Table lamps can create shadows. Put the lights on a dimmer and make the lights brighter around late afternoon and brightest at night. This may help with the confusion.

Q: My mother has fallen several times but refuses to go the hospital. What can I do to keep my mother safe? She has not been injured yet but I worry she will have a major injury soon.

A: You are absolutely right to be concerned about your mother's falls. Is she falling from a sitting position or when she is walking? Some people fall if they stand too fast (blood pressure becomes low), some people have arthritis in the legs and the legs have pain and give out. Also the way your mother falls is important. Is she falling straight down or falling backward?

It is important to find out the origin of the fall and address the cause. Contact your mother's physician to discuss the falls. If the physician would like your mother seen at the hospital, remind your mother that the doctor made the decision.

ElderCare Resource Services is a partnership of geriatric nurses and social workers that helps families to investigate, assess and recommend medical and non-medical care and resources for seniors. Send questions to SeniorSavvy@ElderCareResourceServices.com or ElderCare Resources Inc., 29 Gano Road, Marlborough, MA 01752, or call them at 508-879-7008.