Blog Action Day – A Time for Environmental Awareness & Alzheimer’s
October 14, 2007 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Many people around the world are celebrating Blog Action Day, October 15 to create environmental awareness.
What is our environment? What do we mean by environmental awareness? How does this affect Alzheimer’s and caregivers?
To some people environmental awareness means going green. To others it means picking up trash. Still others associate environment with pleasant surroundings for working and living. 
Then some surround themselves with flowers to bring color and fragrance to their space.
Environment comes from the French word environ for “around” and refers to the things or circumstances surrounding us.
Although we can’t do much to change the circumstances of a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s, until much more research is completed, we can create pleasant surroundings and environment for them. Thus, hopefully, we make their days and life more cheerful.
Creating a Cheerful. Pleasing Environment
*Use cheerful colors in the decor.
*Decorate with plants and flowers, whether fresh, silk or plastic. (Of course, you do have to be careful which kinds of fresh florals you use because Alzheimer’s patients may try to pick and eat them.)
*Take them outside in good weather to enjoy flowers and gardens, if possible. When my mom resided in the nursing home, we would wheel her chair around the garden, watch the birds at the feeder, and remark on butterflies visiting the plants.
*Dress them in cheerful clothing. Even if they’re not aware, the compliments from family, friends and staff creates a pleasant environment.
*Celebrate festive times with favorite music, colorful decorations, enjoyable food.
*Use background music the patient enjoys to create a soothing atmosphere.
*Find calming, cheerful activities you, the caregiver, enjoy to relieve your stress and maintain your pleasant attitude.
What else can you do to create a less stressful atmosphere/environment for you and the Alzheimer’s patient?
Great Post Mary Emma. So many of the posts that were centered on the Blog Action Day theme of environment focused on ways to save the environment. But we often forget that we can make small changes to our own or loved ones environments that may not save the planet but will definitely make it a much more fun and loving place to live.
Cheers,
Liz