Looking for ideas on how to keep a fidgety senior from getting into trouble. My 100 y/o stepdad

[RamblingRose]

& mom moved into assisted/independent living a couple of months ago. Before that they were living in their own home where he enjoyed working in the yard and tinkering in the garage. Since they moved he's been going stir crazy and can't sit still. They participate in the various activities but in the last week they've been on lock down due to a resident testing positive for Covid.

Trying to keep him out of trouble is akin to keeping a 2 y/o out of trouble. I told her to get a kiddie pool, fill it with dirt, throw in some weeds & leaves and put it on their patio.

Any suggestions?

[BittyJenkins]

2. My dad was

My dad grew up farming and share cropping. He loved gardening. We asked if he could plant a garden on the terrace. They built him a nice tall one and he grew verges for everyone.
Dominoes are addicting for indoor action. He also got into painting.
Good luck!

[Tanuki]

3. Raised bed patio gardening, making an indoor terrarium, a small-scale

"tinkering" or DIY project of some sort, you-tube "how-to" videos on topics of interest, a fold-up exercise bike, making some tapes of personal and family history, organizing and annotating old photos....some ideas. Good luck!

[SheltieLover]

4. Is he comfortable with technology?

Get him a tablet or smartphone & art supplies, then links for painting / drawing classes. Plenty of great ones on you tube free.
Also, the Senior Center & Council for Aging likely have zoom art, chat sessions, educational activities, etc.

How about a raised garden for patio?

Good luck!

[RamblingRose]

9. His eyesight is poor so that limits a lot of activities. A raised garden is a good idea.

[SheltieLover]

10. Sorry to hear of poor vision.

I hope you're able to find him an activity.

Jigsaw puzzles?

[Nittersing]

5. I wonder if the facility can help

Are they on total lockdown... do the residents have to stay/eat in their rooms? Or is it just lockdown for visitors?

If he has some freedom within the facility, maybe they can help find a job for him to do... I know at my Mom's place, there are any number of residents that help around the facility... seating people at meals, delivering things to other residents...

[RamblingRose]

8. They are having to eat in their rooms and all social activities are canceled. Maybe he can help

them with dusting.

[Nittersing]

11. Ugh. That's a tough one.

Thankfully, my mom, even with her macular degeneration, can still read books on her Kindle... at the largest font. But for a person who likes to putter... I think the mini garden is the best suggestion I've read.

My mom recently moved from ind. living to memory care and that unit has two indoor gardens for the residents to work on. Maybe you could try a modified version to see if it works for him... a small bag of potting soil, 5 or 6 little clay pots, a trowel and a variety of seeds (herbs maybe?).

Glad the facility is following covid protocols, but I know how tough that lockdown is to deal with.

Good luck!

[keithbvadu2]

6. Get him a computer. Keep him off Fox.

Get him a computer. Keep him off Fox.

[Phoenix61]

7. This could keep him busy for a bit. PVC is easy to work with.

[Trueblue Texan]

12. A few suggestions...

Put bird feeders outside the windows and watch the birds, try to identify the birds. Grab some adult coloring books or multi-media tablet, markers or paints along with a book on getting started in drawing or painting or coloring. Order a basic book on memoir or autobiography writing and a voice recorder or tablets and pen and let him get started writing some of those stories from childhood or other interesting moments in his lifetime. If he likes woodworking crafts, go buy some pre-cut birdhouses for him to put together and paint, then hang outside the windows. If his eyesight isn't bad and his coordination is good you could get him a book on how to tie fishing jigs. There are people who actually do that for a business in retirement. There are always jigsaw puzzles, leather work, whittling, puzzle books if those match his interests. Hope this helps.