Bird Watching for the Alzheimer’s Patient

Whenever I see birds gathering around a winter feeder nowadays, I recall the pleasure bird watching gave my mother as she journeyed into the depths of Alzheimer’s.  Jim and I had to move her from her New York State home to ours in New Hampshire during mid-winter.

Remembering her fascination with birds throughout her life, Jim set up a feeder on our deck.  Mother sat in her rocking chair before the window, watching the activities of the bluejays, chickadees, juncoes, and nuthatches, our most frequent visitors.

Their chirping was her winter music, their antics amusement that brightned her day in the now confusing world.  Watching these feathered friends midst storms and below zero temperatures brought back memories as she told stories about her childhood.  She even sang the song her grandmother taught her about the birds around their farm many years ago.

When Mother moved to the nursing home, I noticed bird feeders outside some of the windows there.  They also had feeders at the assisted home where my mother-in-law resided.  Consider providing pleasure for your family member with bird feeders around your home.