this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2025
15 points (100.0% liked)
Melbourne
2236 readers
32 users here now
This community is a place created for the people of Melbourne and Victoria. We are a positive, welcoming and inclusive community. We might not agree about everything, but we always strive to stay civil and respectful.
The focus of our discussions is based around things that affect Victoria, but we are also free to discuss our local perspective on wider issues. Or head to the regular Daily Random Discussion thread to talk about anything.
Ongoing discussions, FAQs & Resources (still under construction)
Adoption Certificate for Nellie, the Daily Thread numbat (with thanks to @Catfish)
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I have a question for those who've 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 doesn't have the interest in anything else, and she has a walker to get around but in a new place doesn't know many people and doesn't know the floorplan etc.
She's bored. She has family visitors and stuff but it's 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? She's at that sad sad place where she's 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??
I'm sorry ๐ my dad has early onset Alzheimer's and it's hard. He likes to do what he's always liked to do, tinker with things in the shed, woodwork type of stuff, fixing up surfboards, and he's 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 he's 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 don't 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 don't know, knitting, drawing, colouring in? Or if she enjoyed birds or wildlife maybe some picture heavy books about that stuff?
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
So sorry to hear that about your friend.
What surprises me w/ my ol' girl (different sort of dementia though) is chuck her in front of piano and away she goes (she was a muso). Maybe a keyboard?
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!