New hobbies / volunteering

[Supportmydad]

My father (67) has mild Alzheimer’s and I’d like to encourage a new hobby or volunteering opportunity to increase socialising and give him routine/structure. His short term memory is variable and he finds complex tasks harder than he used to but otherwise is able to function independently.

I have seen eg memory cafes and singing for the brain but he is reluctant because of his age and dementia isn’t progressed as much as others.

Does anyone have ideas for places which are not necessarily dementia specific but are accommodating?

 

[SeaSwallow]

Welcome to the Dementia Support Forum @Supportmydad. Well done on wanting to help your dad to socialise as it is easy for people with a dementia diagnosis to become isolated.
Do you have a Men’s Shed in your area. They are not a dementia related organisation but some members may have dementia. They undertake all sorts of activities from crafts, light exercise, gardening, just chatting to each other etc.
If your dad likes gardening would he perhaps volunteer at a National Trust property or would he consider helping at a local charity shop, not necessarily in a sales capacity but perhaps organising stock.
if you have a local library you might find a list of various local activities that he could get involved in.

 

[LynneMcV]

Hello @Supportmydad and welcome.

When my husband was diagnosed at 58 we faced a similar situation. He wasn't at the point of wanting to attend dementia related groups and he wanted to do something useful and constructive with his time.

I found libraries and various church/community centre noticeboards and the local council website great starting points for ideas - and checked them often so I didn't miss out on anything new that was added. Most of these places tend to have a website listing various events too - which saves some of the leg work!

Various opportunities that he took up included helping out in a charity shop; helping to restore furniture through Men in Sheds to raise funds for the local hospice (sanding down, painting or varnishing - no machinery involved); joining an allotment project also run by Men in Sheds where the fresh fruit and veg would go to local care homes; becoming a Community Champion where he would help litterpick a particular nearby location as and when he wanted - and also report issues like fly-tipping to the council).

We also found a social group for people with a wide range of disabilities. There he was able to play snooker and various other games, read newspapers and discuss various issues, enjoy a general chat and socialising over a cuppa , help out with gardening projects and enjoy entertainment from various visiting groups and entertainers.

I wish you well in your search and hope the above gives a few ideas 🙂

 

[Supportmydad]

Welcome to the Dementia Support Forum @Supportmydad. Well done on wanting to help your dad to socialise as it is easy for people with a dementia diagnosis to become isolated.
Do you have a Men’s Shed in your area. They are not a dementia related organisation but some members may have dementia. They undertake all sorts of activities from crafts, light exercise, gardening, just chatting to each other etc.
If your dad likes gardening would he perhaps volunteer at a National Trust property or would he consider helping at a local charity shop, not necessarily in a sales capacity but perhaps organising stock.
if you have a local library you might find a list of various local activities that he could get involved in.

Thank you so much - really good ideas. I hadn’t heard of men’s shed

 

[Supportmydad]

Hello @Supportmydad and welcome.

When my husband was diagnosed at 58 we faced a similar situation. He wasn't at the point of wanting to attend dementia related groups and he wanted to do something useful and constructive with his time.

I found libraries and various church/community centre noticeboards and the local council website great starting points for ideas - and checked them often so I didn't miss out on anything new that was added. Most of these places tend to have a website listing various events too - which saves some of the leg work!

Various opportunities that he took up included helping out in a charity shop; helping to restore furniture through Men in Sheds to raise funds for the local hospice (sanding down, painting or varnishing - no machinery involved); joining an allotment project also run by Men in Sheds where the fresh fruit and veg would go to local care homes; becoming a Community Champion where he would help litterpick a particular nearby location as and when he wanted - and also report issues like fly-tipping to the council).

We also found a social group for people with a wide range of disabilities. There he was able to play snooker and various other games, read newspapers and discuss various issues, enjoy a general chat and socialising over a cuppa , help out with gardening projects and enjoy entertainment from various visiting groups and entertainers.

I wish you well in your search and hope the above gives a few ideas 🙂

Thank you so much, really do appreciate your experience. I will find some local options and try to persuade him!