My father is 90-years-old and is completely deaf with very, very limited vision. He says it's like looking through wax paper. He lives in an assisted living facility but does not participate in their activities... since he cannot see or hear. Although, I am going to take another look at their activity sheet is see if there is "something" that might work. They do a lot of outings and music listening, which he cannot do.
Does anyone have any ideas on what type of activities he could do alone? He spends a lot of time sleeping, since there is nothing else to do. He cannot watch TV, he cannot listen to music or audio books. I feel absolutely horrible for him and helpless to come up with something to occupy his time.
I have reached out to the Helen Keller organization... they really were not helpful and it took me numerous attempts to even get a response from them. I have reached out to our local blind organization. They do not have many individuals that are both deaf and blind, so I did not get any ideas there either, other than a tactile activity board, but that does not occupy him for very long.
I would be most grateful for any ideas at all - that you don't need sight "or" hearing to do.
Thank you.
We do a lot of physical interaction by using our hands – minor exercises in a chair, walking through the house – simple dancing – touching objects – and being creative….
It can be difficult to keep a loved one active throughout the day in a facility. My husband does live at home. See if facility caretakers will spend time doing physical activities with him.
Put out various objects and ask him to guess them. :-O I'd like to do this one myself, I think I'd be good at it.
Do the same but ask him to guess various food items by smell, then put a really pungent one in and see if he laughs or screams, screams in a joking way, not terrified scream.
What about braille quizzes? I have not looked into this, but there might be some.
How about painting? give me some paint brushes and see what he comes up with? it will also be something to keep. Of course this would need to be in a specific room with old bed sheets on the floor. I really think painting would be a great one. I really had a think about this one, if I had these unfortunate conditions. I really feel painting might spark some emotions up too, and then you can discuss the painting afterwards.
I wouldn't mind try out the painting with a blind fold and cotton wool in my ears to see what I come up with, but also try and relate more to someone with these conditions.
What do you think of my ideas? good right?
1. Textured paints: Use thick, textured paints that can be felt easily. Consider mixing paint with sand or other materials to add texture.
2. Large Canvases: Use larger canvases or paper to give more space for broad, expressive movements.
3. Tactile Borders: Use raised lines or borders made with glue or fabric paint to create tactile guidelines for different areas of the painting.
4. Simple Shapes: Focus on painting simple shapes and patterns that are easy to create by touch.
5. Assistance: A caregiver can help by setting up the painting area, providing guidance and describing the colors being used.
6. Accessible Tools: Use tools with large, easy to grip handles. There are adaptive art tools available for individuals with limited vision.
7. Finger Painting: This method allows direct contact with the paint, making it easier to feel the shapes and patterns being created.
8. Scented Paints: Some paints can be mixed with essential oils to add a sensory experience through smell.
Want to try it out? Enjoy your time painting!
Experiencing textures and scents. Materials: Various fabrics, essential oils, and other textured objects. Explore different textures and scents through touch and smell.
Gardening: Planting and care: Use tactile markers to label plants. Focus on plants with distinctive textures or scents. You can assist your father with planting and maintenance.
Working with clay: Use soft, easy to mold clay. Create simple shapes or objects. Tactile tools can help in shaping and texturing.
These activities can provide stimulation, comfort and engagement for someone who is deaf and has very low vision.
Website: https://www.ncoa.org/article/10-fun-activities-for-seniors-with-hearing-loss
In part: Approx 1 in 3 people, ages 65-74 suffers from some hearing loss. Hearing loss has been linked with depression in 47% of adults.
* Mental health issues: depression and anxiety, social isolation can lead to cognitive decline, incl 50% increased risk of dementia. Physical activity: muscle and bone loss, falls, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
Stay engaged and active and keep your brain sharp.
1. Movies, live music, theater: Americans w Disabilities Act (ADA) requires theaters to provide no-cost adaptive equipment for deaf patrons.
2. Live theatre: Some theaters provide infrared headsets that link directly to your hearing aid. Others offer open captioning, in which captions appear in real time on a screen next to the stage. Accommodations will vary by theatre, so be sure to call in advance to ask what’s available.
3. Art: Creative tasks like painting, drawing, and sculpting relieve stress and anxiety. Art has been shown to benefit older adults by reigniting creativity, improving memory, and even reducing aches and pains through relaxation and light physical exercise. Group-based art classes have the added benefit of fostering social connection.
4. Crafts: Simple arts-and-crafts activities strengthen cognitive skills and engage auditory processing system, i.e., knitting, crocheting; painted rocks, paper snowflakes, and soap making. Pinterest is an excellent resource for DIY arts-and-crafts inspiration.
5. Reading - linked with better memory retention. reduced stress, improved sleep, and better decision-making skills. Look for large-print books, e-reading devices (e.g., Kindle) = adjustable font sizes and backlit screens.
6. Swimming: Water aerobics / low-impact help ease joint pain. Hearing aids: should not be worn while you’re submerged in water, wear waterproof earplugs.
7. Gardening: Being among plants, soil, and sun creates feelings of well-being and encourages physical activity that promotes mental stimulation and cognitive enhancement.
8. Museums / Art exhibit / Zoo. Most places have placards that allow you to read about the exhibit you’re viewing. Many museums have assistive listening devices and/or audio thru cell phones, sign language during tours.
9. Object restoration. Focused, detailed work and problem-solving supports healthy cognition. Protect ears fr loud noise; wear noise-blocking earmuffs or earplugs.
10. Games: Encourage social interaction and brain exercise. Bingo halls w large calling cards to announce # drawn). Pool, shuffleboard, and pickle ball.
11. Meditation: Reduces anxiety, improves sleep, lowers
12. Massage.
Gena / Touch Matters
Take him out on smell and taste outings.
Smell chocolate cookies, roses, hot donuts, an herb garden.
Give him taste tests of his favorite childhood foods.
Fill his lonely hours with joy because they won’t last forever.
Raised Dot Dominoes
https://www.amazon.com/Double-Six-Dominoes-Plastic-Raised-Dots/dp/B0093QI7LQ/
Tactile Rubik's Cube
https://www.amazon.com/3X3x3-Tactile-Embossed-Braille-Fingerprint/dp/B09G61XJ2V/
Tactile Tic Tac Toe
https://www.amazon.com/Family-Classic-Classical-Childrens-Plastic/dp/B0B2JZHQ2P/
Braille learning board
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093FXGS71/
Braille UNO card game
https://www.amazon.com/Mattel-Games-Specially-Designed-Low-Vision/dp/B07XF995SP/
My Mom had cataract surgery in her late 80's (or early 90s) and it was a success. I'm just guessing he has cataracts. Obiously, it could be something else, but cataracts is one of the most common vision problems in the elderly.
Also, research hearing amplifiers for your Dad.
Again, this is really if he has most of his mind still.