I was going to take my mother to the movies today but realized she would not understand it. Also when I take her somewhere she talks to strangers. This would be fine if she just said hello but she keeps talking and it does not make sense which gets awkward. Sometimes she will laugh into the face of children. She is trying to be nice but it scares them and the parents. And she steals stuff out of restaurants.
Suggestions?
I totally forgot about S&H green stamps but that's probably next.
Just one thing to consider on antique shops, though: while they do provide fodder for reminiscing, my mother who is also getting more "direct" ends up louding exclaiming things like, "$100!!! My mother got that for FREE in a box of laundry soap!!!!!" And she does this repeatedly. I'm passing this along as just something to think about in case your mom is in that same mindset.
If they like animals you can have one visit her/him at home with a handler ( ask your local elderly services or rescue league). This makes for good company both human and four legged.
For the ladies or gents how about having a manicure/pedicure or massage?
Enjoy plants? Start an indoor box of herbs or lettuce, shop for seeds,visit green houses.
Good weather:Go on a picnic,go fishing!
Art,History and architecture:Give them tour of the local sites with history.They may teach you a thing or two!
Chocolate shops, ice cream shops,cheese shops with samples.This is great fun,inexpensive and filling!
Yes my mom's dementia is "mild" but she has lost all manners and sense of what is appropriate. People speak to her like she is a child but yet she makes those embarrassing jokes and it is just plain awkward.
It is nice to know I am not alone. I felt very guilty for not wanting to take her out but you all have helped a lot.
I often took pictures of our outings when caring for my husband, and then had them made into a single-subject book. Then he'd have a reminder and something to talk to me or others about. For example, we toured replicas of the ships Columbus sailed, and I made a book of that. He brought it to his day program. We went for a drive to see fall colors and I made a book of those pictures which he enjoyed several times. I have one of state fairs we've attended, and another of the International Crane Foundation place. I also have more elaborate scrapbooks that cover longer periods and themes, but these one-event books are pretty quick to put together and really extended the pleasure Coy got out of the events.
I also found the adult day health program very worthwhile.
Ditto for a cute downtown area with lots of shops, except that there are seldom benches to rest on.
Similar to the house and garden ideas, if you have a local arboretum where you can slowly drive through, look at the trees, maybe even get out and sit on a bench in some particularly scenic area -- that will also have fewer people around and might work out.