You can find activities for a loved one with dementia

we want her to remain active, we also want her to succeed at what she is doing. Otherwise, she will become frustrated and anxious.

Look at what your Mom used to do and think about how it can be modified so that she can be successful. Baking from scratch might now be too difficult because those living with progressive dementia lose their ability to sequence. But she may enjoy putting refrigerated cookie dough on the tray and removing the cookies to a cooling rack when done. She will probably need you in the kitchen, though, to ensure the cookies are not forgotten when they are in the oven!

If she is no longer able to follow directions for a knitting project, she may still enjoy the tactile sensation of rolling a ball of yarn. And if she does want to knit, do not correct her stitches; it really does not matter how it looks, especially if she is enjoying herself.

Maybe she would enjoy coloring; there are several adult coloring books available now. If those designs become too intricate, look for larger designs. Does she enjoy puzzles? If a 500-piece puzzle is too challenging, look for a 100 piece. As dementia progresses, there are some delightful and colorful 24-piece puzzles to be found at the dollar stores.

Make sure you leave cues to do these activities out in the open to entice her when you are busy do other things. If she does not see an activity, she probably will not look for one.

Let her know that you could use her help. For example, can she fold the laundry and sort the socks for you? Can she wash and put away the silverware? Could she help make sandwiches for lunch? Look around at your daily activities and see where and how she can assist you with some of the simpler tasks, those that do not have a lot of