| Over 5 million Americans are living with | | | | However, at least they will know you are thinking |
| Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Buying | | | | of them. |
| a gift for them for the holidays is not difficult if | | | | Early Stage Dementia |
| you keep a few things in mind. | | | | Puzzle books |
| First you should know the persons likes and | | | | Easy crossword or word search books |
| dislikes. Also important is knowing their strengths | | | | Encourage them to look at the answer key if |
| and weaknesses. In addition consider, when | | | | they get stuck |
| purchasing a gift for someone with dementia, | | | | Suduko books are not good idea because they |
| keeping their mind and body active. Also think | | | | were not popular ten or twenty years ago |
| about a gift that will keep on giving long after | | | | Short novels or a book of short stories |
| Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza or other celebrated | | | | Buy one or several that match their interests |
| holidays are gone Keep in mind, also, that gift | | | | A subscription to a daily newspaper |
| selections should change as Alzheimer's disease or | | | | Often those with Alzheimer's disease or a related |
| another dementia, progress | | | | dementia look at the date on the paper to keep |
| Gifts that keep dementia persons' mind active | | | | track of the days. |
| All stages, most interests | | | | Also most newspapers have a puzzle section |
| A book called Adorable Photographs of Our | | | | they can attempt. You might want to help them |
| Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and | | | | with it. |
| More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved | | | | Mid stage dementia |
| Ones and Involved Professionals is an ideal gift | | | | All the ideas listed for all stages of dementia are |
| because just about everyone loves babies. This | | | | especially good for those in the mid stage |
| book uses baby photographs to engage those | | | | Also good is a gift certificate to an adult day care |
| with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia in | | | | center. |
| mind stimulating activities. Also it has great tips | | | | This will give them a good opportunity to try it |
| and resources for caregivers and health care | | | | out to see how much fun they can have there. |
| workers. | | | | Also going there will do much to keep their mind |
| A journal | | | | active. It also will give the caregiver a much |
| Anytime is a good time to record happy events | | | | needed break. It is a good transition to using an |
| or moments in a dementias persons' life. Spend | | | | adult day care center on a regular basis. |
| some time with them after you give this gift | | | | The book Adorable Photographs of Our |
| helping them to record memorable moments. Let | | | | Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and |
| them write as much as they can and you do the | | | | More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved |
| rest. | | | | Ones and Involved Professionals is especially good |
| Then later these happenings can be shared. | | | | for those with Alzheimer's disease or a related |
| A photo album | | | | dementia in the mid stage. They seem to really |
| You or someone who has photographs of | | | | enjoy looking at baby photographs and talking |
| dementia persons can put them into an album. | | | | about babies |
| Make sure to label the photos so recall of them | | | | Late stage dementia |
| will be easier. | | | | Although persons in any stage of dementia will |
| You may want to enlarge some of the photos | | | | enjoy this, the gift of hand lotion is particularly |
| for easier viewing. | | | | beneficial to those in the late stage. Arousing their |
| As the dementia progresses, Alzheimer's | | | | senses is stimulating. Any kind of lotion will do. Just |
| individuals may think recent photos of them are | | | | be aware of any allergies or pain issues they |
| of their mother or father. That is OK because this | | | | might have. If they can tolerate it, those with a |
| gives all a wonderful opportunity to talk about | | | | pleasant scent work well. Give them a relaxing |
| their parents. | | | | hand massage talking about how good the hand |
| Another gift dementia persons will fancy is a | | | | massage feels and maybe about the good old |
| classic musical video or DVD. No matter what | | | | days, as well. The conversation might seem one |
| stage of dementia they are in they will enjoy | | | | sided. Dementia folks in the latter stages of these |
| watching something from the good old days and | | | | diseases still enjoy the company and the |
| singing the songs played throughout the picture. | | | | conversation. |
| Here are a few suggestions: Singin' in the Rain, | | | | A gift certificate for respite care |
| Meet Me in St. Louis, or Shall We Dance | | | | If the dementia person is still living at home, this is |
| Next is a sing a long CD or audio cassette of their | | | | a huge undertaking by members of the family. |
| favorite songs. There is a series of these called, | | | | Giving them a break, by offering to care for your |
| Old Time Favorites by Nancy Pitkin. | | | | dementia friend is appreciated but rarely asked |
| You may want to get a sing a long video where | | | | for |
| dementia persons can see and hear performers | | | | If you can afford it, many nursing homes, with |
| singing songs they love. Folks with Alzheimer's | | | | dementia units, offer short term respite care for |
| disease seem to enjoy music from their younger | | | | those with Alzheimer's disease or another |
| days. Many times dementia folks who are | | | | dementia. The dementia person will have an |
| non-verbal will sing many of the words of an old | | | | enjoyable stay with highly trained staff, and the |
| favorite song of theirs. A good one is: Sing-Along | | | | family will be able to have some free time. This |
| with Phil Bernardi: Songs We Know and Love. | | | | may be a good transition to long term care |
| Give the gift of yourself. No matter how hard it is | | | | So no matter what you do, do not forget those |
| for you to visit persons with Alzheimer's disease | | | | you know with Alzheimer's disease or a related |
| or another dementia, they will appreciate your | | | | dementia this holiday season because these |
| company even though they may not be able to | | | | special gifts will make you and them feel good. |
| express it. Take them for a walk, sing some of | | | | What could be better than that! |
| your favorite songs together, or give them a | | | | Order any of the products mentioned in the |
| hand massage. Just share some quality time | | | | article at Order the book, Adorable Photographs |
| together. All will feel better. Do remember to be | | | | of Our Baby -- Meaningful, Mind-Stimulating |
| upbeat animated and excited about visiting. No | | | | Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, |
| arguing, please. That is a lose, lose situation. | | | | Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals, the |
| A phone call, especially a long distance call is nice. | | | | audio CDs and cassettes and the videos and |
| Those in the later stages may have trouble with | | | | DVDs at seabaygame. |
| this especially if they are hard of hearing. | | | | |