Engaging

Its clear that my dad’s brain works better when he is engaged with something or someone, rather than just sitting and thinking himself down a rabbit hole. Just the act of being with other people, or going out to a coffee shop seems to help leave him in a better mood. He might still be asking the same, similar questions over and over, but also seems more happy with any answers we give him. He might not believe what we say 100% of the time, and often forgets what we have said, but you can tell a difference in him once he has been out compared to just being at home.

The Parkinsons nurse said something similar, that having a hobby and meeting others, engaging your brain can help as much as medication.

I can see that is true also, based on my own experience of not being very active in things outside of work or family life. You can condition yourself to become physically and mentally sedentary. And like not exercising your physical muscles, not exercising your brain and also lead to wasting away.

I am considering asking my dad if he wants to try for us both to do some art together. He was an art teacher in the past and I studied art before getting a job in IT, so we both have some interest or skills we could both practice. We will both be very rusty though.

I am not sure what he will say though. He admits he is a perfectionist when it comes to his own art, but perhaps starting small might help.