Mum just moved into a care home but feeling redundant - how to change this?

[Tensmumym]

My 85 year old mother has just moved into a really nice residential home but is really missing her independence. She came to my place on Sunday and I asked her to help with putting clothes on hangers - which she has always liked to do in the past as it makes her feel useful - but her initial response was "No, I'm not going to do that, I'm redundant now." It just made me wonder how to make people in care homes feel as though they can make a contribution? I was thinking along the lines of stuffing envelopes for charity or even doing some simple admin for a school. I know the problem might be that it could create more work for the charity or school if not done correctly but it just made me think there must be some way of making older people feel valued. Does anyone have any positive experience of this? Thanks.

[Trollsworth]

The staff in residential homes do not have time to supervise this.

[whataboutbob]

The college of OTs has an online booklet on encouraging well being through activities in care homes. You don t say f your mum has dementia. The booklet lists activities for different abilities. I hope it s helpful.

[mrssmith79]

I think these used to be called Workhouses . Seriously though, once she finds her feet and makes some friends you'll probably find that a good residential home will keep her more than occupied (I'm assuming it's a residential home and not a nursing home or EMI unit). Do they have an activities coordinator?

It's not an easy transition to make but it will get easier.

[twentyten]

I remember some research about giving residents plants to care for- made a major difference to their sense of purpose.
It will be hard.

[BrianTheMole]

Its a good idea op. A really good one. I've seen younger people work whilst in res care, but not older people. Theres no reason why not though. Why don't you talk to the home and look to see if theres anything locally that might fit the bill for your mum. Really great idea, I like it.

[TheSarcasticFringehead]

Before my gran's dementia became worse, she enjoyed looking after an orchid plant. It was very pretty and she cared for it well. She also folded clothes which she seemed to like- but I think more for the routine than he usefulness.

[Needmoresleep]

Does the home have a resident committee where they discuss management and other issues? The nursing/convalescent home my mother spent some time in, had one. Residents were very frail and quite forgetful so input may have been limited, but residents could show up to meetings and feel they were being listened to.

Is there scope to "help" in other activities, which are happening anyway. Gardening? Some sort of charity book or table top sale? Scope to go to University of the Third Age events? A bird feeder outside the window and "responsibility" for topping it up each day?

[Tensmumym]

Thanks so much for all your great ideas. I really appreciate you taking the time to post. I have contacted a political party she supports and they have said they do need help stuffing envelopes so hopefully we'll be able to start with that.

[makati]

At my Mums home, she helps with folding clothes and polishing. Sometimes she has a go at washing up but the results can be dubious, but she loves it. When her room is being cleaned, she likes to help. She does have quite advanced dementia but she gets a lot of satisfaction from doing all these little jobs. The carers are very encouraging and supportive of anything the residents want to do which is lovely.