A bit of backstory:
Husband has ESLD and over the last couple of months his cognitive skills have declined significantly. After the most recent fall at home, I had him placed in a nice facility that has multiple levels of care: rehab/memory/SNF so that he won't need to move as his needs change.
He knows who & where he is. Recognizes me, recognizes voices of family over the phone... he just cannot think rationally or logically.
One problem is that he's aware enough to know that he's *not home* and gets agitated, uncooperative. Asks when we're going home. DEMANDS that I take him home. He's not safe at home-- that's why he's in care!
He fell again (at facility) a few days ago and broke his hip, is in hospital now but will be discharged back to facility on Monday.
My question: What can I do to keep him distracted/calm?
He must always be doing something with his hands it seems. Fidgeting constantly. I brought him a plushy cat that looks much like our real cat and he seems to really love it but it's not enough.
Was talking to doc at hospital today re: calming meds but don't want him drugged & weak especially with the damaged hip and new mobility issues. Ugh. It's a tough slog.
Hubby can't see well enough to read and was never a big reader or game player anyway, so I'm grasping for ideas!
Time for discussion with doctors.
There is no reason now not to seek some comfort in all of this, some calm for him.
The problems with medications I am certain you are already aware of: falls, difficulty in assessing the efficacy, being now TOO sleepy, side effects of the medications, and etc.
Speak with the doctors. Good luck.
Yes. Thanks.
We are exploring possibilities.
He's bored sometimes, and needs a challenge to occupy him.
I will look for the buckle & zipper thing!
Blocks. I got a stacking block game and he cold stack them, line them up, arrange them by color. There were all sorts of things he did.
Toy cars. He would just push them back and forth on the table.
Coloring book, crayons. (epic failure, he never liked "artsy stuff")
Cards. He would sort the colors or numbers. (I got a deck of UNO they are colorful and large print)
My Husband was an "oral" person almost everything went into his mouth so I got him teething toys and he would chew on them. But a lot of them now are textured and colorful.
Another great idea, thanks!
Another thing to try is music tapes of songs he would remember. See if he can hum along with them.