Iām not sure if youāve stumbled across Teepa Snow but sheās a multi-decade occupational therapist and dementia educator. If you search āboredā on her YouTube at least three of those videos talk about helping with boredom. All of her stuff is amazing though and targeted at the person or people caring for the person with dementia.
Comment on Discussion Thread š® Sunday 23 November 2025
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone āØ5ā© āØhoursā© ago
I have a question for those whoāve had people with dementia around. My very beautiful old friend has been moved into full nursing home which is what she needs but I saw her yesterday and she is a bit confused about why she is moved, and she is sad and bored. She can no longer read, she now struggles to use the phone, she watches the news on the telly but doesnāt have the interest in anything else, and she has a walker to get around but in a new place doesnāt know many people and doesnāt know the floorplan etc.
Sheās bored. She has family visitors and stuff but itās so long stuck in a room. I hung a couple of photos up that remind her of special things but is there anything I can do or suggest to local family to help keep her occupied during the day? Sheās at that sad sad place where sheās lost her ability to do things before the desire. I am at a loss and I live too far away to visit more than once every few months.
Sorry for the wall of text I think I needed to get that out. Any ideas??
Pilk@aussie.zone āØ2ā© āØhoursā© ago
anotherspringchicken@aussie.zone āØ2ā© āØhoursā© ago
Iām so sorry, itās such a difficult thing to navigate, both for the person and their loved ones. My dad and a couple of other close family members experienced this and it was really hard.
If your friend likes reading, could she access recorded stories? Is there someone who can take her to church if sheād like to do that?
I think just visiting when you can, and maybe taking her for a walk (if possible) or drive, if thatās an option. Just so she gets out & about a bit. Could you talk to her on the phone, too? That might help her feel more connected.
PeelerSheila@aussie.zone āØ3ā© āØhoursā© ago
I havenāt had any experience with people with the more advanced situation your friend has (mum was just starting to show signs when she passed away). But perhaps those schemes where people get visits from volunteers to have a cuppa and a chat might help pass the time?
Force_majeure112@lemmy.world āØ5ā© āØhoursā© ago
Iām sorry š my dad has early onset Alzheimerās and itās hard. He likes to do what heās always liked to do, tinker with things in the shed, woodwork type of stuff, fixing up surfboards, and heās still able to at this point, even if he ends up repeating steps a few times. He likes nature docos and YouTube surf videos. All stuff heās been into in the past. He likes hanging out with his mates who are sweethearts and keep him in line. Sounds like your friend is more advanced then my dad and I donāt have experience with that, but soon will. I just wanted to share the little I know.
Are there any old hobbies your friend has that maybe she fell out of the habit of? I donāt know, knitting, drawing, colouring in? Of she enjoyed birds or wildlife maybe some picture heavy books about that stuff?imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone āØ4ā© āØhoursā© ago
Hugs. Yes that friend support is critical. And just self care help. Yesterday I just sat and talked and clipped her nails and lots of hugs. My friend is a nun so much or her life revolved around community and study and at least there are still lots of people helping and advocating for her now.
She did lots of crafts like embroidery and sewing but long way past it now. I like the idea of photo books and I just found a one button music player for old folk. I am going to get that and load it up with classical music which is another love (she was a piano and music teacher for 50 years). Thanks
Bottom_racer@aussie.zone āØ4ā© āØhoursā© ago
So sorry to hear that about your friend.
What surprises me w/ my olā girl (different sort of dementia though) is chuck her in front of piano and away she goes (she was a muso). Maybe a keyboard?
Eagle@aussie.zone āØ3ā© āØhoursā© ago
Brains are such complex things. I once looked after a lady who lost her speech because of a massive stroke. Put some ABBA on and listen to her sing, word and pitch perfect though!
Seagoon_@aussie.zone āØ5ā© āØhoursā© ago
Are there any crafts she can do?
Lego?
Jigsaws?
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone āØ4ā© āØhoursā© ago
Not anymore but see my response to Force. And thanks
Seagoon_@aussie.zone āØ4ā© āØhoursā© ago
So sorry, I was trying to think of activities that are easy but can be interesting too,
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone āØ4ā© āØhoursā© ago
I appreciate it. Itās a really hard stage
melbaboutown@aussie.zone āØ33ā© āØminutesā© ago
This really sucks for herā¦ I can well relate to the loss of ability to do activities before the desire. And a lot of easy activities can feel patronising or boring.
Would she have any interest in scrapbooking or collage? Watercolours? Does her facility have any art sessions or activities to help residents mix?
She might not be interested in anything other than the news but wondering if documentaries might help.