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