Looking for things mom could do to feel useful... she used to assemble newsletters for church and organizations but no one does paper newsletters anymore. She could maybe work on putting craft kits together or something... for kids... any kind of menial repetitive task that cg could help her with. I'd like to try her out w/ something like that to see if she will easily engage. She needs a purpose, even if for only certain times a day or week. Thoughts?
You cannot be your Mom's entertainment committee - it requires too much of your time and energy. Why do you think she needs a purpose? What's she doing most of the day? Watching tv? Sleeping? Nothing?
More info would be helpful.
My father looked so happy when his grandson’s were refurbishing a bike, and they handed him the chrome rim with spokes and asked him if he could help to polish it with the soft cloth. He continued to polish it for a very long time, and he looked extremely content with the feeling of helping and being needed. It did not really matter if it needed the polishing or not. It is about how it made him feel, and us. We were so happy to see him feel needed.
We also built some new gates, and he was very happy to help with the sanding. It does not matter if they are doing it correctly, or over and over in the same spot. It is about feeling useful.
I wish all of the caretakers could get enough breaks for themselves, so they don’t get burned out, and uncaring. There have been so many caretakers on this site that are so angry, and unloving. “Whatever your hands find themselves doing, do it with all of your might.” With love and compassion.
1. Folding laundry
2. Putting silverware from the dishwasher away in the silverware drawer.
3. Dry swiffering the floor (dry mop only)
4. Pick up pine cones in yard and put them in a bucket.
5. Peel potatoes.
6. Water color paintings. I display some around the home.
My 95 year old Mom has always liked houseplants. I help her create a "patio garden" every summer and she tends the annuals; watering, dead-heading, and protecting the plants are her responsibility. I keep a general eye on the plants to ensure she gives them adequate care but I do NOT interfere. I will ask her how her garden is doing if I think she needs a reminder.
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