Enjoy National Bird Day with Your Alzheimer’s Patient

Today is National Bird Day!

My mother always enjoyed birds and taught my brothers, sister and me much about them as we watched the various ones around our farm.  When she developed Alzheimer’s, Mother found great enjoyment watching the birds at the feeder on our deck.

Take time to  appreciate your birds (if you have birds for pets) and those in the out-of-doors with your Alzheimer’s family member.  Nursing homes sometimes have birds their patients can watch, either inside in cages or outside at feeders.  They also may play bird’s songs on CDs.

Here are some ideas for bird watching activities.

• Do you have a bird feeder you keep well stocked in winter that you and your patient can watch from the window?
• Do you read and learn about birds?
• Can you recognize various bird songs when you hear them?  Some are very familiar while others are unusual.
• Do you draw and paint pictures of birds?
• Do you try to take photos of birds?

Why don’t you start a list and discover how many different birds you see and hear this year…at home and wherever you might travel.

(Amazon image)