She's bored and new in our home. She reads some and watches TV, sleeps a lot. My husband I both work full-time. We have a wonderful lady who comes at lunch and stays a couple of hours. She is chatty but says Mom sleeps most of the afternoon. We are home most of the weekend and take her to church when she feels like going, which almost every week. She's been living with us about 3 1/2 months, ever since my father-in-law died. We live about 45 minutes from where they were, so she's out of her home, away from her neighbors and more than a little unsettled. Usually she handles herself well, but has some dementia and deafness. These lead to communication problems and hurt feelings. She can't always communicate what she wants to do. We want her to be happy but neither one of us is "entertaining". We are quiet people with quiet hobbies and she wants lots of conversation and... not sure what else. I'm floundering! The grandmother I grew up living with was bright and active and busy right up to the end of her life. She entertained us! I would love some ideas and suggestions.
BTW: I give my Mother a manicure every other week along with hand and arm massages, which anyone can do:) Bless you and your Husband, and your MIL. Have FUN!!!!
3 1/2 months is a short time for grieving. Sounds like she and your husband have a good, loving bond:) How about family Bingo at night? Invite a couple more people over from your neighborhood, or plan an outing one weekend to go visit her old community and friends. One good friend should be willing to host a get together, don't you think? You could provide the refreshments. It must be heart-wrenching to lose a spouse of umpteen years and then think about ones own future. Thank goodness she has a loving home:) Hope this helped. Hugs, christina
Can you imagine being moved away from familiar surroundings, having no substantial interactions during the day, and feeling that you are not being understood - on a daily basis? I think that I would sleep all day too.
She really needs more communication.
good luck