My MIL (100) is losing her sight and hearing but is very active. Any ideas to keep her busy?

Yes we have 2 dogs and two cats and she likes them her job is to feed dogs everyday.

does she like dogs? I believe she could have a registered therapy dog come to visit her at her house. check out tdi-dog website

Thank you all for your help. I suggested audio books and she said no she did like reading. I have tried your suggestions and she doesn't seem to be interested in much of anything . I guess she is happy just sitting starring into space ... She does the folding of cloths and putting the dishes away. And serves lunch to the old people😀. She says she gets bored but doesn't like much. Being 100 years old I guess she has the right to be what ever.

Just thought of another activity similar to your MIL's volunteer luncheon Assistance. I was just speaking with the coordinator for my father's Meals on Wheels program who mentioned that they have volunteers not only for the delivery but for the assembly of the MOW program.

Do you think your MIL's vision would still allow her to participate in something like this? It might be a task of picking up one of each item in lines of items arranged for assembling the meals.

I've noticed when I go to the center to pick up meals on days when my father won't be home at the delivery time that there are typically several people sitting around talking. Perhaps that kind of socialization might appeal to her.

Big Sisters mentoring program is another activity but I believe it does require a commitment to mentor a specific child (or children) for a certain time framework.

Another thought is to call the United Way helpline at 211, explain your MIL's situation and ask what volunteer opportunities might be available.

Books on tape is another option. Ideally, one of the local libraries has a book club which either focuses on books on tape or has some that your mother could listen to and then participate in a discussion of the book. Even lacking that, a stimulating book could help keep her mind occupied.

I'm wondering if she can still see well enough to walk; if so, perhaps you could determine from your local senior center or coordinator for Meals on Wheels if she could be a delivery person. She could ride with one of the volunteers.

My Mom is now legally blind and almost deaf due to age decline [97] and until this year she and Dad use to go outside to rake leaves, and pull weeds. Mom still does all the laundry and some how she can make that chore last the whole day with the way she does the soaking/washing/drying.

God bless her!!!!

I used to ask mom to match socks and put them together.. fold underwear....also roll up plastic bags from the grocery store.

That's a tough one. Has she transferred to doing things by feel yet? If so, you might consider some of the very large piece puzzles which she could do by feeling and testing the puzzles for fit. She wouldn't have to be able to see to work them.

Given that you're in Florida, which is a state that seems to cater to elders, I'm wondering if the state has an agency for low vision and/or blind. Michigan does have a commission; I have literature on it but don't recall what it does.

You might also contact a national association for the blind and ask them if they have suggested activities, and/or if there are any local affiliates or chapters with meetings or activities.

One thing she could do is safe exercises, including Tai Chi, which would help maintain her flexibility and mobility which might otherwise be compromised by limited vision. She could do it sitting down; although I'm not positive, I believe that somewhere I read of an adaptive Tai Chi which is in fact performed sitting down.

Do you bake bread? She could knead it; that's an activity that's definitely done by feel. And the aroma of the bread rising and then baking is a mood enhancer.

I'm trying to think of something using aromatherapy but haven't come up with anything yet.

Is she interested in current events? You could listen to the news with her and discuss it.

Wow 100 and she is still restless. God Bless her!! With her eyesight and hearing going I'm not sure what to suggest. But I'm sure others on here will come up with some great ideas.