Children Delight Many Alzheimer’s Patients

My mother appeared to enjoy my grandchildren (her great grandchildren) visiting her when she resided in the nursing home.  She greeted Kara and Alex with smiles and often tried to talk, whereas with me she might remain silent. Other residents on her floor delighted in them, too.

As I’d push Alex in his stroller through the halls or in the activity room, they wanted  me to stop so they could chat with him and his sister.  Some might ask questions about the children; others simply smiled.  Occasionally a resident thought they were her children or grandchildren.

My mother watched them play around her and remarked, “Such good children.”  She didn’t know whose they were, but she realized they were youngsters.  She’d reach out and pat their heads or hands as they engaged in their activities.

The children also enjoyed their visits to the nursing home which continued for the years my mom resided there.  As they grew older, they participated in activities with the residents. 

I’m pleased Alex and Kara have fond memories of visits with my mom and learned to accept their great grandmother as she was.  Help create pleasant memories for your children and grandchildren, even though a family member might be in a nursing home with dementia or Alzheimer’s.  These can be enjoyable times rather than sad ones, I discovered.

If you don’t know what to say or do when visiting someone with Alzheimer’s, perhaps you’ll find some helpful suggestions in this book: A Different Visit: Activities for Caregivers and their Loved Ones with Memory Impairments”