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Mom likes to "piddle" all day. She is moving plants, decorations, stuff all day long. She puts things in impractical illogical places. It can make for lots of frustration. For her and I. She keeps everything. Too much excess. It's her house and I get that. She is active and I am grateful. I just want to make life easier for her and I.

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Maybe to distract your mom from constantly rearranging things, give her something to keep her hands busy. Try puzzles of varying difficulty. A lady at my mom’s NH had a knitting loom. Even try preschool toys. They are brightly colored and to a patient with dementia, they can give a sense of accomplishment.
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Earlier on, my mom liked to stay active. We bought swiffer dusters and we would dust together. I got point beads and pipe cleaners and she would bead (bracelets for great grandkids...ornaments for Christmas tree). She would help me sort things...markers, socks, etc. I also removed a lot of things from the environment... breakables, busy items, etc. Leaving or replacing with items she could move around to her hearts content.

Through the various stages, we have needed to change the environment to fit mom's needs.
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Is there enough space in the house to create an "arrangement" room, where magazines, books, other items could be moved around but the placement wouldn't make any difference.

What about doll houses with furniture - I remember how much fun we had when we were little, changing the dolls' clothing, rearranging the room furniture.

Lincoln logs were also fun; your mother could create with them. And they're probably much more sophisticated and diversified than they were decades ago.

I also like the idea of puzzles. Large piece puzzles for children would probably be easier to work with. There are also Chinese checkers and dominos, both of which could be played individually.

Some years ago I had an urge to focus on games we played while growing up, and after some searching, located some lovely marbles. I keep them is vases, sometimes as a base to hold artificial flower, occasionally changing the position and adding stones I've found while wandering or working in the garden. The patterns they create can be lovely, and peaceful.

I think working with yarn would be great; it would require concentration though, so it's a different level of attention. And sometimes older hands can't manipulate knitting or crochet needles.

Another thing you could do is ask for her help in organizing something, maybe old clothes to donate, something like that. She could feel she's working for a purpose, recycling to help provide clothing to people in need.

I do think it's good though that she keeps herself busy; to me that reflects an active mind, dementia notwithstanding.
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Also, what about creating her own "fidget" blanket? She could pick the buttons, etc. and create her own unique design. Can she sew?
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