Folk with elderly parents

[dfrecore]

How do you stop them from doing tasks they are not supposed to do?
My mom is sneaking to the basement to do "laundry" despite family making sure the laundry is all done. Last night she washed basically a hand towel, her under garments from the day, and a few miscellaneous pieces that weren't urgent just so she could justify going to the laundry room. She not supposed to go downstairs because of depth perception issues post surgery

My guess is, she's feeling a bit useless or bored, or both.  Is there a way you can come up with other chores that she can do on the main level of the house instead?  Crafts that she can do?