As Alzheimer’s progresses, it can affect the person’s ability to enjoy and tolerate once pleasurable activities. It is hard for us as caregivers to see such activities produce confusion, fear, or discomfort. It may become necessary to avoid over-stimulating places where there is a lot of background noise including multiple people talking at the same time, cheering, chairs scraping on floors, loud music, flashing lights, or people moving about quickly, to name a few.
Simple activities seem to be most successful. Following are a few examples:
· Trips to a nursery to look at flowers
· Walking through a small, quiet grocery store
· Visiting a farmers’ market when crowds have subsided
· Watching old movies at home
· A short walk
· Visiting a pet store
· Stopping at a local bakery
· Going to an ice cream shop
· Stopping at a local park
It is important to remember that Alzheimer’s can cause a person’s abilities and emotions to fluctuate daily. Be aware that it is OK to modify, postpone, or eliminate activities as necessary.
By Marcia Kirk
Respite Center Coordinator Assistant
