When the Alzheimer's patient reaches the later stages of the disease, it becomes increasingly more difficult to engage and distract.  Most of the serious behavioral problems begin when the patient reaches the developmental age of between 2 to 5 yrs old.  Just  imagine a 180 lb.  2-4 year old having a temper tantrum.  It is in these later stages that the care of the Alzheimer's patient begins to feel like an overwhelming task.     

It was when Chris reached this stage that I discovered the use of toys as tools.  It was just a fortunate coincidence that I had a grandchild that was at the same developmental age that Chris's mind had deteriorated back to.

           I, like most parents and grandparents of small children, know the value of having toys and activities around to keep our little loved ones occupied and, as we like to say out of trouble.  In my picking up after a visit of my grandson, I had, inadvertently, left some of the toys on the bar in the kitchen. Chris, pacing through the kitchen, was attracted  to these toys. He picked the toys up and begin to carry them around fiddling with them. Chris had become engaged again and less agitated which made my role as the caregiver easier.  This is when I realized that toys are not toys but tools, designed and engineered to target a certain developmental age.

Video 

Developmental age of a 2 to 3 year old

Last stage (stage 7 or infant stage) Video