Hello! My mom had a ruptured brain aneurysm back in January and is now significantly impaired. We are finally bringing her home from the hospital after nearly 5 months.
She will continue to get out patient therapy 3 times a week. However, I am trying to figure out some other activities you folks recommend for her. Last thing I want is for her to sit inside all day.
She can ride in a wheel chair and is doing limited walking. Her cognition is impaired but she is able to answer in short sentences.
I am essentially looking for things that can help keep her stimulated and keep her calendar filled up so she is not sitting at home all day every week.
Welcome Jordan! I grew up in L.A. county mostly and I also love the Dodgers! Activities are different for everyone after a rupture and we need to ease slowly back into the public arena. Bright lights, noise, too many conversations can be overwhelming and cause more confusion as well as pain. You might want to see if she’d like to go to the zoo or one of the many museums. Plan restaurant outings during non busy times. There are numerous apps through a tablet or phone she may be interested in that may help her rebuild her cognition. My ST would share different games her children played that she thought might help my word recall.
Jordon, welcome to the group and I wish strength for you and your mother. As Moltroub shared, this is a time when your mom may feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Helping to keep her engaged is good, but be careful not to over-compensate. Something as simple as going to the park, perhaps a short walk while there, and enjoying the beauty of nature so she can embrace the glory of being alive rather than the frustrations she now faces. Of just getting out in the car and riding while you are doing errands. She may not need entertainment as much as just time with you. Given this huge challenge she now has, don’t be afraid if she needs a day of sleep and quiet after a day out – even if you think that day out was quiet.
Also, she may not have faced the wonder of being alive yet the struggle of these new challenges she is now facing – be open to letting her talk, question, cry, and be angry. Don’t take her frustration personally – know this is a personal struggle for her to journey – but you being there to hug her, listen to her, and distract her is great. Personally, I embraced time just watching the squirrels, birds, and people walk by. Quiet for me, but I got energy watching life around me. I hope something that simple can help her.
I will keep your mom In my prayers. There must be some kind of senior activity groups around here. I suggest contacting Active Generations. They are awesome and have lunches every day, and they even have daycare for impaired seniors, and some transportation through volunteers.