7 Interactive Projects Between Teens & Alzheimer’s Patients
Liz’s post, Handbook Project for Those With Alzheimer’s Disease, reminded me of other ways teens and even younger children can interact with nursing home residents, including Alzheimer’s patients. This also helps young people to understand and appreciate the elderly, even those with diminished capacities.
- Scrapbooks with pictures of the patient’s life or activities around the nursing home. You might include photos of the young person and the older one. This also could be a group activity.
- Doing puzzles and playing games with the patients, as much as their capabilities allow. These can involve chatting and relating stories.
- Being involved in activities such as bowling. My grandchildren, when my mom lived in a nursing home, enjoyed visiting with me and participating in activities. They often bowled with the residents and were given the task of setting up the pins.
- Taking the patients for walks around the nursing home in good weather. If there is a garden on the grounds, this often is a lovely place to stroll or push a wheel chair.
- Writing down or recording the older person’s memories. Those who can talk and remember usually enjoy reminiscing and having someone listen to them. These records also form fond family legacies.
- Singing with and to the patients. When I had a 4-H group, during the days my daughter and her cousins were in school, I often took them to a nearby nursing home to sing with the elders.
- Participating in parties with the residents. At the nursing home where my mom stayed, there was an Easter egg hunt each year (as well as other gatherings). Youngsters and elders participated. My mom, even when she didn’t realize what it was all about, enjoyed watching the youngsters.
What ideas do you have for interaction between young people and the elderly? Share with us.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: Alzheimers, alzheimers-activities, Alzheimers-disease, Memories, nursing home patients, scrapbooking, teensRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Activities, Personal Caregiving Experiences
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