My mother has dementia. I am single and living with her. My brother stopped speaking to her (and me) several years ago so I am the sole caregiver. Sometimes she knows she is confused and gets upset because "things aren't right in her head." Tonight she said that she feels like she doesn't have a purpose. I now realize that by doing things for her is contributing to that, but she can't remember how to do things, can't find things, etc. I'm trying to think of meaningful activities for her to do. Does anyone have any suggestions? We live in a small town and do not have any day-care services available.
Right now, she may have very good memory in identifying old pictures. Dementia usually works in reverse - current things come and go, the really old stuff is still pretty sharp! Tape a bunch of old pictures on a paper and tell her to write the names of people in the picture.
Invite her friends to visit..any relatives. Keeping her connected to her intact memories will help.