Mum with dementia, ideas please.

[Zazz101]

Hi,
I’m looking for some ideas for my mum with advanced dementia.
One of her favourite past times is ’sorting’ through her many pocketed handbag.

I was going to buy her another one, and tell her I brought it from a charity shop ( her other passion) and fill it with things for her to sort through.

I have brought some old jewellery to put in there, but have no more ideas….

Does anyone have any ideas for other ‘treasures’ I can put in it ?

Thank you in advance.

Also, does she have a knitted dementia muff? My mum had one that I bought on eBay. It kept her quite happy, fiddling with the buttons and ribbons.

I was thinking of this last night, and wondered about a paper doll and outfits in an envelope, or even a very small doll with outfits that might give a lot of dressing/undressing/ folding/ smoothing opportunities. If she liked that, then an addition to the handbag might be a laundry basket filled with hankies/ socks to pair/ baby clothes to fold

I know it's not a sorting idea but im pinching lots from this thread.
I'm making my mum a dressing up box of all her old memorable clothes like her wedding dress, 1950's hats and 1960's shoes we are going to take them to the dry cleaners together.

I also recently took her to the 'big' M and S, (this is not a shop dear this is a warehouse!) and was surprised how interested she was in the makeup counter. She always wore foundation and a lipstick yet she has none now in the excellent care home so that can change, I think she would love a booked makeup appointment and to choose some lovely things. She really enjoyed her bra fitting appointment.

Also.. an old jewellery musical box with the ballerina doll. Mum loved that

This isn't a sorting one, as my mum, who has Alzheimer's, just sits glued to quiz shows all day! But we bought her a digital photo frame a few years ago and loaded hundreds of photos of us and all her grandchildren onto it. The photo changes every half an hour and she loves it so much. Sometimes she doesn't have a clue who is in the photo and she'll ask, but it doesn't distress her or anything.

I should say, though, she often surprises us by remembering someone she hasn't seen for a while.

@ClinkeyMonkey love that idea! x

I wouldn't recommend the buttons op, I work with patients with dementia and we had a patient choke on one. Someone explained to me many years ago that people with advanced dementia see similarities in items where we see differences. This was as an explanation as to why patients sometimes drink from the wrong thing as one receptacle for liquid seems the same as another, ie vase, urine bottle, jug all are containers for liquid. It might be mistaken with the tin of sweets💐

Again, thank you for all your ideas, I took mum her handbag today and she loves it. I used a lot of your ideas so thank you.
I also found an old map of where she used to live, that went down a treat.

The bag has lots of zip pockets so I put something in every one, jewellery in little boxes, some cigarette cards with animals on again in a box, as she loves opening things, a purse amongst other things :)

She may also enjoy a 'taggy blanket' like they use for babies and children but a more adult version with ribbons etc, they can't harm her as it's securely sewn.

MIL used to love getting her kids & grandchildren small quality plastic figurines, not kinder egg toys but nicer iyswim. Disney characters or Christmas themed, and esp. those really lovely natural looking little animals, brand is Schleich and not cheap, but there are similar ones in Wilko toy isle I think.

Good shout with the animal figurines. My mum used to love Wade Whimsey animal figurines.

Old knitting or sewing patterns, copies of old adverts, old Avon books: every mum I knew had an Avon lady!. Spot the ball and football cards , old copies of Christmas TV and Radio Times, green shield stamps book and, if she is old enough to remember, copy of rationing book, bingo cards, your old school report!
During lockdowns I got these for a local care home I volunteered in and the residents really enjoyed them.
www.sweetandnostalgic.co.uk/memorabilia-packs-122-c.asp

A lavender bag to sniff, or other sniffable item.

I've seen a pinny with buttons zips and clasps which was really good.
Hand bag full of bits and bobs is also a good idea.