Below are suggestions I have collected from caregiver trainings, support groups, and social media groups. I am not a medical professional, so you should always seek your doctor's or therapists' advice. Additionally, your loved one may be progressing differently and may or may not respond positivel
Put nail polish on the two parts of the zipper that they need to match. It provides a visual cue as you help themget dressed.
1. Take a photo of the remote control, and make a 1-page PowerPoint (or Google Slides). The software makes it easy to add numbered steps and arrows to the buttons.
2. Get puffy stickers, and put them on the remote buttons that are most important (volume, etc.). Start with 1-2 stickers. Then work with your Loved One to find and press the buttons at the right time.
It is critical that caregivers develop the patience to determine if they are on the same train of thought as the Loved One. You cannot communicate if your trains are moving in opposite directions.
The best advice I got (from two speech therapists) was to get used to the idea that my Loved One is doing his best, and it is good enough. For example, it was very important at one point for my Loved One to put the butter knives in the knife bin, the forks in the forks bin and the spoons in the spoons bin. Now, it is good enough for him to get the silverware in the silverware drawer (unless he asks for help). Allow good enough to be a success.
The most common response to this was to use white vinegar or Oxiclean in the laundry.
Although my Loved One would rather have a root canal than play communication games, I feel like the repetition in simple games helps him improve his word recall. I am not a doctor, and have not looked for any research behind this, other than comparing qualitatively the difference between a speech therapist that calmly expects us to do daily games (read "communication exercises") and follows up VS the therapist that hands us a worksheet and tells us we "might try this". The daily repetition has been incredibly helpful and empowering, in my opinion. The trick is to match capabilities with support. Make "good enough" look like a success. Here are games that we have played.
CARDS
1. Directions: Take photos of 15 - 80 important items in your Loved One's life. People, places, and items you want them to remember. Print 1-2 copies of the item and the word on business cards (you can get printable business cards at your local office supply store or online).
2. Play CONCENTRATION.. Put 4 pairs (8 cards), photos and words showing, and ask your Loved One to match them.
3. Play GO FISH. You may / may not use the entry phrase, "Do you have a..." depending on capabilities. Remember the focus is on success.
4. FLASH CARDS. Have your Loved One look at the image on the cards and read the words.
SUDOKU
My Loved One has Glaucoma. The only way for the eye doctor to identify his eyesight is through numbers (he cannot reliably identify letters, caricatures, or left / right). So we play Sudoku - the easy version. I take care of the problem solving by thinking aloud as I resolve spaces. Then he helps me count to 9 to double check my work.
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