Alzheimer’s disease and dementia friendly gardens and water

Those with dementia like the outdoors. Planting easy to grow plants that do not need a lot of care are best.

A safe place outside is best. However you can have an indoor garden or some potted plants like herbs. Herbs are edible and easy to grow. They can be harvested often and used in some recipes.

You may want to have some spare plants in case the ones the dementia person grows do not do too well.

Post a response if you would like more specifics

The sound of water trickling somewhere nearby is so peaceful to listen to. However, Alzheimer’s and gardens don’t always mix well. If you are planning a water element for your garden, you should avoid ponds and waterfalls. Large fountains can also be a problem. A small fountain attached to a wall at the Alzheimer’s patient’s eye level is a better, safer option. That way, you both can enjoy the water’s soothing sound without having to worry about water safety.

Dementia Activities

Those engaging dementia residents are always looking for useful activities. This Web site is dedicated to the Activities Professionals in Long Term Care that are constantly trying to obtain the "BEST" for their residents for the least amount of money. Activities budgets tend to be limited; we often have to STRETCH the dollars. The purpose of this Web site is to supply you with ideas and resources that will give your residents the activities with everything needed to make each program special and unique.
click here to see the site and see valuable activities

50 Activity Ideas for Someone with Alzheimer's

Carrie Hill, PhD lists Alzheimer's disease and related dementia activities
click here to see the suggestions
Please feel free to elaborate on any of the ideas listed.
Have you tried any of them?
About.com
usually has great suggestions for all sorts of activities

More Dementia Activity Ideas That Work

According to Activity Director Gina Salazar, you need to try to
find out what your residents like and what their individual needs are,
read their history,talk to their families,ask them.

You will find that different activities will work some days and times and others won't. The best thing to remember is that the residents are not babies and should be treated with respect at all times.

Have fun with them and keep them busy,

look out for Sundowning(restless behavior towards the late
afternoon hours ),

Try to keep a consistent program.

These are the most rewarding residents that I have found to work with. Here are a few ideas and sample activity days that you might try:
click here to find out what they are

I agree with Gina

More activities to share with lower functioning Alzheimer's and related dementia patients

Here are some great dementia activities to share with a loved one or client with dementia
Simply click here to link to another valuable site about dementia activities

And the dementia activity is

Have you joined senioract yet?

get many great dementia and long term care activity ideas, ask questions, see valuable activity links and so much more

click on the link below
http://www.senioract.com/appiesboard/index.php

Strategies to support dementia veterans this Memorial Day

Dementia,including Alzheimer disease, affects about 1 in 13 seniors,many of them veterans. As you remember our war heroes on Memorial Day,think about what you can do for them.They did so much for us

Here are some great activity suggestions

For those in nursing homes and other institutions, make sure veterans with dementia are visited often.

All people, including those with memory loss, need human contact. They need to be hugged. They need to hear your voice. They may not know you but as long as you know who they are, that's all that matters.

Talk to them about their service to our country. Often they will share stories with you because their time in the service made a huge impression on them

Tell them how proud you are of them. Thank them for their service. This is sure to make them feel good. Most likely, it will make them smile

Smile with a veteran. Laughter is wonderful medicine...

Sing patriotic songs with a veteran with dementia. Often they will be able o sing many familiar songs even though, they may not be able to speak.

Read to them. Have them read to you. Large simple statements are best.

Share pictures with them, especially large colorful ones

Make a visitor’s packet for them

click here to read more ideas

Activities for People with Alzheimer's

I just ran across this site. I thought you might be interested in it.

Here is an example

Description: I work in an Alz. Specific facility and the residents are typically lethargic and do not want to stray far from the comfort zone. I decided that they needed a few things...first fresh air, I am a true believer in it. Second, Mild exercise. Finally, sensory stimulation

click here for more ideas

Another great dementia activity

Before you begin to design or use a dementia activity, it is of the utmost importance that you known persons you are interacting with. It is helpful to recognize the dementia folks likes and dislikes as well as their strenghts and weaknesses. Also helpful is knowledge of the dementia persons past life and experiences since they may not be able to tell you them. Clinical observation is of the utmost importance here.

Persons with dementia, as well as other nursing home residents, love music.Music is such a powerful tool. Often dementia folks remember words to familiar songs even when they are otherwise non verbal. Singing improves dementia persons' mood. Singing is also good for the lungs.

Click here to learn more about an easy to do dementia music activity

Simple, yet effective, dementia activities

Before you begin to design or use an activity, it is of the utmost importance that you know the persons likes and dislikes. You should know their strengths and weaknesses. Also helpful is knowledge of the person’s past life and experiences.

Here are several activities that can be done independently or in small groups with most early to mid-stage dementia folks

These activities use playing cards

click here for the whole activity explanation

An Alzheimer's activity just in time for Mother's day

Mother's day is all about love.

Here are some ideas for discussion questions about love.

They are ideal for lower functioning residents but can be easily adapted for higher functioning ones

They are all about a baby,love and people who love the baby as well as other things

They love our baby
Who loves the baby?
If the participants need help say;
Does the baby’s brother love him?
Does his mother love him?
Do you love the baby?
Who else loves the baby?
Possible responses and opportunities for discussion: father, sister, aunt, uncle, friend, dog, cat, etc. Have a discussion about people in one or more of the participant’s family.

What else do you love?
If the participants need help say;
I love ice cream, how about you?
Possible responses(which are almost endless) and opportunities for discussion: pizza or any other food, roses or any type of flower, watching television, singing a song, etc.
Have a discussion about any one or more of these things.
Sing one or more love songs. Recite a poem about love, something as simple as Roses are Red, etc.

Click here for more ideas