Summertime
Triggers that help to prompt reminiscing about experiences gone by can begin when one or all of the five senses are activated. For instance, the smell, taste, and look of favorite foods are a great conversation starter. Consider summer time cookouts or Fourth of July barbecues; ask about favorite foods surrounding seasonal holidays. Suggest going out for or making something from those delicious memories. A trip out for an ice cream cone could be a wonderful way to bring smiles, laughter, and great stories into and older adult’s summertime days and nights.
Sometimes the simple pleasure of opened windows for a fresh summer breeze and the sound of birds singing can be a therapeutic treat. Think about the changes in sleep patterns for older adults…what could be more beautiful than taking in a sunrise on the patio with a morning cup of tea, or sitting out for a sunset at the end of a day. These are the sensory delights so easily missed after a long winter inside.
Reminiscing and storytelling can open a path to communication with the person you care for and also give meaning to their life. Caregiving, especially involving someone dealing with dementia, can be lonely for both the caregiver and cared for person. When someone is no longer able to be in the present for long periods of time, open the doors to the past and welcome them with the gift of listening. Ask questions to keep the memories flowing. Focus on the laughter and learn from it. These conversations bring joy to the heart and meaning to today.
-Ramona Hunt, Touching Hearts at Home
You may also like:
Recline = Decline
On July 1, 1946, the Communicable Disease Center (CDC) opened its doors and occupied one floor of a small building…
Reach out!
It’s a fact, home is the safest place for all of us to be right now. But there’s this to…
National Handwashing Awareness Week
The first week of December is National Handwashing Awareness Week! Why is this week so important? The goal of National…
Holiday Caregiving
Holidays like Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years are celebrated and happy times for many people, however, if you are…
Survivor Day
In 1999, Senator Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide, introduced a resolution to the United States Senate which…
November: National Family Caregivers Month
During National Family Caregivers Month, recognition is given to family caregivers who face many challenges when a family member needs…
Heat-related illnesses
Did you know that summer heart attacks are often due to hot temperatures? Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat…
Continue living!
Continue living – Dr. Suzanne Lesage emphasizes that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis doesn’t mean the person’s life is over. She stresses…