any interesting activities can help direct and focus your loved one's energies. Remember to present all activities in a simple way, but do not be condescending. Do not be discouraged if your loved one does not do things exactly as you would like. The time spent doing the activity is more important than how well the activity is completed. Being flexible will help reduce both your stress and your loved one's. Praise your loved one, regardless of the activity or his or her ability to complete it. A sense of success and satisfaction will help your loved one's self-esteem. Be aware of your loved one's attention level. If he or she loses interest in one activity, it's okay to start another one.

1. Activities for Alzheimer's Patients
   
   • sort buttons, nuts, bolts, screws, game pieces or socks
   • give the patient a manicure, set her hair or perform other grooming activities
   • make family albums with photos of family members and large labels
   • listen to audiotapes or make tapes of your voice singing, reading or telling stories
   • sing old favorite songs
   • do handiwork such as sanding, sawing (if capable)
   • make fresh-squeezed orange or grapefruit juice, apple sauce, cookies
   • peel potatoes, apples, carrots
   • write a note to someone
   • read a short story or poem
   • play games such as dice, high-low card games, bingo
   • dance, walk, do calisthenics
   • sweep, dust, polish shoes or silverware, stuff envelopes
2. Dealing With Frustration
   Everyday activities like dressing, bathing, and eating may lead to frustration. Frustrated Alzheimer's patients may become combative, angry or agitated. Sometimes the person may simply try to push your hand away, while at other times the person may resist or strike you. Consider the following issues:
   
   • Is the person tired?
   • Are medications creating side effects?
   • Is the person in pain and unable to express it?
   • Is the person overstimulated by loud noises, people or physical clutter?
   • Is the environment unfamiliar?
   • Does the person feel lost or abandoned by the care giver?
   • Are your instructions simple and easy to understand?
   • Is the person picking up on your own stress and irritability?

   Look for early signs of frustration and respond in calm, reassuring tones. Keep in mind that the person isn't necessarily angry at you, instead he may misunderstand the situation or be frustrated with his own disabilities.

   Offer encouragement, but keep in mind the person's capabilities. If your loved one is becoming frustrated performing one task, move away from it to something else and come back when he or she has calmed down.

3. Making Your Home Safe For A Loved One With Alzheimer's
   Your home will be less stressful for you, your loved one and your family if you make sure it's safe. You can do many things to make each room in the home a safer environment for the patient with Alzheimer's Disease. Start by safety-checking your home, going through each room and checking for potential safety hazards.
   
   • Have emergency numbers and home address displayed near all phones.
   • Provide smoke alarms near all bedrooms; check functioning and batteries frequently.
   • All outside doors and windows need secure locks.
   • Hide a spare key outside in case the person locks you out.
   • Floor heating vents, radiators and other heating devices may be very hot to the touch. Red tape around the floor vent may deter the person from standing on or touching a hot surface.
   • Stairways should have at least one handrail. Light switches should be placed at the top and bottom of stairs. Optimally, stairways should be carpeted or have safety grip strips.
   • Keep all medications (prescriptions and over-the-counter) locked. Each bottle of prescription medicine needs to be clearly labeled with the patientŐs name, name of drug, drug strength, dosage frequency and expiration date.
   • Keep all alcohol secured in a locked cabinet or out of access to the person. Alcohol consumption can increase confusion.
   • If smoking is permitted at all, monitor the person while he is smoking.
   • Keep all walk areas free of extension cords, throw rugs, clutter and furniture.