Activities for elderly mum

[HarryCobean]

Here's a challenge!
Mum is late 90s, almost blind, not mobile, poor hearing and poor hand coordination. She lives on her own at home, with carers 4 times a day and visits from daughter. Until 3 years ago, she was very active, jumped on the bus into town, spent all day knitting and painting, did her own cooking, you name it. She is now confined to her armchair, can no longer knit or paint, and spends all day watching the rubbish on the telly. She struggles with the TV remote, a very basic one, which she points at anything but the TV! Doesn't sound good, but she's reasonably content and does not want to move to a care home.
We're struggling to think of something to occupy her other than the TV. Any suggestions? She has managed a few colouring books with felt-tip pens

Talking books/an Audible subscription and a good set of headphones (or tolerant neighbours!)
Visits from people like Age UK?

How poor is her hearing?

If she struggles with the TV remote then maybe a TV with built in Alexa may help, with a printed list of examples of what to say to get different channels etc.

Is there a local eye society or low vision support nearby? Our do some activities and the other will come out to show you things that could help.

Have you had a look at the RNIB website? They also have a shop which sells gadgets for people with sight disabilities, including games and large print activity books: shop.rnib.org.uk/leisure/indoor-games/puzzles

Not great, She has two hearing aids but manages

We've considered things like Alexa but the idea of mum shouting at a computer strikes terror in our hearts. I'm not sure Alexa, we or mum would survive it!

We've had a couple of visits from the low-vision unit at the hospital, they were great and provided mum with everything that could help her

My DM Deaf and wears hearing aids. She just can't hear an Alexa. I don't know if it's frequency, the fact that she relies on lip reading so much or a processing thing but she really can't hear what it says.

Yes, we've looked at the RNIB site. The problem with most sites like that is that they cater for people with low vision, or the elderly, or the hard of hearing or the mobility-restricted, but finding a site to help those with all those disabilities has proved difficult

I would say at this point maybe consider day centres ("day clubs")

You can request a needs assessment

In my LA for a 90 year old disabled client with dual sensory loss who has 4 daily care package and is reliant solely on adult DD for social support, an assessment of needs may identify day services one or two days a week; also relegate needs and a sensory loss assessment for both sight impairment and hearing loss which may also identify ways to meet social inclusion and sensory loss needs (talking books , hearing loops, etc , sensory loss clubs)

Is she self funding her care privately or LA funded?

Regardless Please contact your LA to ask for an "early review" or re-assessment with agreement of your relative if she is LA funded for her care support. And If not , pls still contact them as they will Signpost you to same services LA funded people have available, if you don't want to wait for assessment under The Care Act 2014

LA = local authority

Ie "social care department"
"Social services for adults"
"Adults health and care"

Whatever it is called in your county in U.K.

We've had a couple of visits from the low-vision unit at the hospital, they were great and provided mum with everything that could help her

Your local "Eye Society" might run some activities that she might like?

It’s the lack of ability to switch things on and off that’s the biggest problem we’ve found. Best we’ve come up with is first carer puts TV on, next carer turns TV off, puts music on etc.

Digital photo frame seems to keep mum interested for quite a while.

@HarryCobean

Have you talked to your mum about wing referred to the sensory / sight loss team at social care? This is exactly kind of case they are very good at providing advice, signposting and helpful information and local services for. And they'll do a sensory assessment in her property and spot things you haven't

You can get device for cups that alert when they are filled up to a certain line, devices to help with colour coordination for clothes, so many things ...

Being not "wing"
Doh!