Activities to engage your loved one.

I have been listing some ideas for the caregiver on the whiteboard, but I think I’m going to start listing all cores, errands, and projects that need to be done and make it a list for both of us. It seems that referring to the list as something that needs to be done helps Phil, and it helps focus my efforts, too.

Thank you, Patti. Now that it is light longer, an evening walk is a good choice.

Such great feedback Patti. I have always said the best resource we have is each other. Thank you so much for sharing.

I am trying harder to keep Steve away from hours in front of the TV, especially since he only watches ESPN and during the day it's just a bunch of people arguing with each other! I can't imagine watching that every day without getting agigated. Now that baseball season is starting up, he is enjoying games, but it's hard to watch a whole game on TV. He loves baseball but it's a sport better watched in person.

When I work from home, and I don't have a caregiver around, I set an alarm on my watch and every 45 minutes to an hour, I leave my desk and we empty the dishwasher together, we make a snack together, we fold clothes together, we walk the dog, etc. As Mary says, lots of chores. Steve likes to feel like he's contributing but can't really do any of these things on his own. Basically, anything I'm doing he is right next to me and I'm talking through the process. Sometimes he helps and sometimes it seems like it's just extra work for me - but at least there is talking in the house. If he's going to stand next to me anyway, I may as well make the best of it and he's more engaged than when he's just watching me. We also try to go on a longer walk in the evenings before dinner, and now that it's staying light longer, we can do this after dinner and avoid a long evening of TV.

Steve has always been an avid reader and the morning paper was a staple. One of our caregivers noticed that he was "reading" the paper but wasn't really able to discuss anything afterwards. She started letting him pick out articles that might interest him, and then she read them to him. This seemed to help him have some recall. At least he could point to the article she was talking about and she would read it again if he looked puzzled. We're also reading the Lenten reflections after breakfast and he really likes this as well.

Sharon enjoys these TV shows: Live with Kelly and Ryan on KSAT-12 at 10 am; Strahan and Sarah on KSAT-12 at 2 pm; and Ellen on KENS 5 at 3 pm

I really liked the insight shared today about volunteering. I feel like many of our loved ones do struggle with a loss of purpose. Many have expressed sentiments like, "because of this disease I can't do what I used to do, so I cant do anything." I feel like volunteering can give your loved ones a chance to contribute and give back.

Boy, this is a tough one! I will be happy to see other's suggestions. Ryan, perhaps you can find out what your Caregivers have done with their charges.

In my vast, 2-day experiences I have left the following suggestions: sweep the back porch, take the dog for a walk, Watch "Good Morning America", look at picture albums, sort through record albums or cds, maybe put in some sort of order, play music, make lunch, empty the dishwasher, read the paper and talk about it, change the lightbulb, empty the trash (into the correct can!), fold laundry.

But a lot of this sounds like chores. Maybe that's ok. Phil does not like puzzles or games. Some of your loved ones do.