It’s great when a professional caregiver specializing in Alzheimer’s home care can do activities and interact with your elderly loved one because they are trained in what they do and have lots of great ideas. But what to do when you are caregiving for your elder? Do you need some ideas for great activities? Then you have come to the right place. The following activities have been shared by other caregivers.

1. Clay or play dough. This is a fun hands-on activity that allow them to express themselves through making shapes and objects. They also enjoy the soft feel of the play dough and how they can mold in with their hands and fingers.
2. Sorting items. Get some items of different sizes and colors and then some shallow baskets they can sort them into. If you worry about your loved one eating the items, don’t use small things such as buttons or marbles. If you’re not comfortable letting them use spoons and forks then get some colored blocks or sponges. Show them how to sort the first few items and then they can continue. As long as they are having fun, don’t worry if they sort and unsort, sort and unsort.
3. Stringing. You can use some string licorice and they can string some fruit loops cereal or cheerios onto the licorice. When they are done, tie it into a necklace or bracelet. It’s okay if they eat as they go.
4. Decorating cookies. Make some flat sugar cookies in different shapes such as gingerbread men. Have some easy to squeeze tubes of icing and some little candies to stick on the cookies.
5. Cooking class. Get different types of fresh fruit and let your loved one help to cut them up using a plastic knife. Mix together and top with whipped cream or yogurt for a nice little fruit snack.
6. Book making. If your loved one can handle scissors, let them cut pictures out of magazines and glue them onto pages to make a book out of it. If they can’t handle scissors, then pre-cut the items and put them into a basket. They can look through the cut-outs and choose the ones they want to glue into their book.
7. Ball toss. Get a soft sponge ball and play toss or roll the ball back and forth to whoever wants to play.
8. Exercise. A walk outside for fresh air and a little exercise is always a great idea. Remember not to take your eyes off your loved one for even a second as they can wander away and get lost easily. If you feel it necessary, get someone else to go on the walk with you as well.

For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain living independently in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are an elder agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Costa CA, and the surrounding communities.

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Brittnei Salerno

Owner at La Jolla Nurses Homecare

“My mother, Lorraine Salerno, founded La Jolla Nurses Homecare in 1977.

Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.

I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”

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