Do the Old Movies Spark Memories for Alzheimer’s Patients?

Someone brought to my attention that today, September 19, was International Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Pirates, pirate movies, pirate stories, pirate toys and games have become so popular in the past few years, since Pirates of the Caribbean was released, then numbers two and three.

You may find that movies with a pirate them, especially like Peter Pan, bring back memories to Alzheimer’s patients.    When Mother resided in the nursing home, the staff often played the older movies, ones the residents would have viewed in their earlier years.  These might bring back a spark of recognition and help entertain them. 

                             Other movies, depending on a patient’s background, can entertain, keep them occupied and bring back memories.  Sometimes the comments the movies elicit are humorous, meaningful, or help you understand a little better what’s going on in the Alzheimer’s mind…at the moment.

Sometimes family movies, children’s movies, musicals and romance will capture their attention…for a moment…for an hour…or possibly the entire episode.  In her earlier days of Alzheimer’s, Mother would watch movies frequently on TV, whereas she felt this a waste of time before this disease took over.

So check to see if old movies spark movies for the Alzheimer’s patient(s) under your care?  It may entertain them long enough, too, for you to have a break or even to watch the movie with them.