It's hard. For many with dementia, their world closes in, friends often disappear and they are unable to do the activities they once enjoyed.
When I visit mum in the CH she's usually in her room reading (or at the door with coat on and bag packed...
) She refuses to socialise or do any activities yet her constant complaint is that she is bored. She thinks she works at the CH or has sometimes been sacked. But mainly she wants to go shopping, not because she needs anything but because that was her main activity before she became ill. It's a good thing she thinks she goes out shopping 'most days' (even though she's not been out for over a year) as otherwise it would be much worse.
We get stuck in an endless loop: mum says, 'all I do is sit here and read.' I tell her the various things she could do - watch tv, go to the lounge, join in activities, have a walk round, anything I can think of. Then she'll say, 'Oh no! I just want to stay in here by myself and read.'
I can't imagine what it would be like trying to occupy her all day
so I think you're doing an amazing job with your mum.