What a sad burden for your mother, especially at this point in her life. I'm sure she's grateful beyond words that she has you, and that you want to help.

Do they have a pet? My husband enjoyed interacting with our dogs and cats.

I'm afraid a pet would just create more work, tripping hazards etc. for both of them. He is extremely unsteady on his feet, uses a walker as well. Mom had a stroke 4 years ago and still is unsteady. I have 10 cats and when they are here he doesn't interact with them at all. A dog would be too difficult. Thank you anyways.

My husbad has Multiple Sclerosis and Alzhymers. He sleeps all day and watches TV all night. I talked with his doctors and we're tryng to re-set his internal clock. He generally sleeps to about 1 pm. This week I get him up at 12:45, next week will be twelve thirty, etc. But I have no idea what activities I can find for him. He can't read, because of the MS and poor eyesight. He can't walk, so anywheree he goes he needs to use a wheelchair.

Two.25 I have a smalll understanding of what you are facing. My Mom had dementia and did the wandering etc that you describe. She was in her early 80s and my Dad who was a couple of years older was her care giver. He would not even consider a nursing home for her which I think was a mistake. My brother who lived about 30 minutes away from them went several times a week to help. My sister and I lived about 6 hours away so were not able to go as often. Eventually both parents lived with my brother until my mom passed away in the hospital where she went after a fall. My Dad died several years later. Please try to convince your Mom to get as much help as she can because this can go on for years. Don't discount any agency without checking into services they might offer--even hospice can help. I wish you and your family the strength you will need and some peace for your mom's husband. Satine

Talking books- something chatty like Tales from Lake Wobegon?

My FIL has demetia and I am his primary care giver. As you know it is a 24/7 job and can wear you out very quickly. I hired caregivers to come a couple of times a week for 4 hours per day to help out. I also take him to a demetia/Alzheimer's daycare. There he is able to socialize and participate in activities. He really enjoys it and it gives me some much needed down time. There are a lot of resources out there and I hope your mom will be open to them. Take care!

My stepdad has Alzheimer's dementia, and our compounding pharmacist gave me these two booklets which have helped so much.

I'll put a link below -- scroll down past the paid order section to the free "Read The Playbook Online."

There are links to the Playbook and the Tips & Strategies booklet that can also be downloaded:

Here is a link that might be useful: Caregivers United invaluable advice

The Alzheimer's Assoc. has some terrific help available if it is good as our local chapter is. Also we have several homes, not nursing, connected with the assist living places that are just terrific. . They have all sorts of things planned, real good trained personal etc. My friend had his mom living with them for awhile, and he had mini cameras set up and he could see on his phone, or I pad touch exactly where she was all the time, even outside. But then he is an expert in computers.
Please, it you can afford it get outside help. Do not try to do everything yourself. We loose at least 3-4 people a year because they wonder outside in out cold winters.
What does the medical staff offer? If not ask until you get the answers you need.
Good luck
M.