Hello to you all, I hope that you have managed to have a good week.
My dad is still hanging on in there and it's his 82nd birthday next week. I am really stuck for ideas of what to get him for his birthday. I was going to organise talking books/newspapers for him but there is a delay in processing information now so we have to speak quite slowly to him so that he can understand what we are saying. I doubt whether he will be able to follow the talking books because of this. He cannot focus to read and his speech is almost non existent. Has anyone any ideas of what has worked for them or anything they have found that they enjoy or keeps them occupied?
I would be so grateful of any help. With thanks. Helen x
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Hellebelle
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Hi Helen, it is really hard to think of things isn't it? My mum struggles too and can no longer read and finds it hard to focus and process information. My mum enjoys being pampered so I do her nails, and do massages and things and have got mobile therapists to come in as a treat for birthdays. Know that's probably not what your dad would want 🤣 would he be able to watch a DVD? Is there a nice film he might enjoy? Sorry I can't be much help, will keep thinking!
Thank you for your suggestions, all gratefully received! I don't know about your mum but dad used to have so many interests but he has lost his motivation and it's so hard to find anything that pleases him.
Yes sadly my mum seems to have lost interest in things too. She used to always want to be involved in conversation and although she can no longer speak still used to communicate using her alphabet board but think that's becoming more and more difficult for her and she doesn't want to bother as much anymore. She will spend a lot of time with her eyes closed and struggles watching tv too. I think she wants to do things but knows she can no longer do them and understandably gets quite upset and down.
That all sounds very familiar. My dad spends long periods asleep now and finds everything an effort. It's so heartbreaking to watch but we all try to remain strong and positive for him and my mum.
it is so hard to think of things, my dads speech is very bad but you can sort of understand him , he has double vision but can just about read and watch tv
we just try and take him out when we can which he enjoys , tried as you say cd books , but you can’t stop and start , just goes back to the beginning !
Yes, dad also had double vision. Can't believe how cruel this condition is. We try to take him out as much as possible if he is awake enough. Thanks for your reply.
I have been thinking about your post ! I am sure it is hard to find something but the most wonderful gift he can have he already has 24/7 your endless love and care.
I love my garden and my daughters buy me plants and ornaments so its overflowing ! I would say anything he can just look at and enjoy without any effort, a photo a picture or anything else that he has always loved.
Sorry not much help so sending you good luck and love
Hello, not sure if it works with double vision, and it's a bit pricey, but my dad seems to enjoy having an ipad type device on his knee with utube videos of music favourites he used to like playing on it. (Or you can put TV or radio programmes on it). He can't see the normal TV, or read etc either. You could probably put a slide show of photos on it. Best of luck!
That's a good idea you can get those digital photo frames where the photo changes every few minutes can't you? Might have to look at getting one of those for my mum. Thank you for the suggestion.
That sounds interesting, thanks. One thing I thought of but haven't tried yet is a seed planter tray - the kind with little individual compartments to plant a seed in and grow till the little plants are big enough to plant out in garden. I figured even if the person can't use their hands much, they could maybe be supported to poke the holes in the compost. (The trick would be to remember to keep spraying them with water for however many weeks it takes!) xx
I think music is a must. Particularly the songs he loves. I know it isn’t the same, but my mum was in a home with dementia and I used to go down every evening when they had tea and play music in the dining hall - the kind of songs they all knew and loved. And so many of the residents - despite having dementia - sang along and enjoyed it. They could remember all the words despite their condition. None of them would have been able to follow a film or the storyline of a book.
I spent a lot of happy times singing along with my mum and the others. I know it lifted them all and gave them some happiness. I now have these happy memories of sharing that time with my mum. X
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