Harvest Time, Foliage Time Brings Memories to Alzheimer’s Patients
October 15, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
As I gaze at the colorful foliage of autumn around my New Hampshire home, I’m reminded of my mother’s love of this time of year. We were surrounded by pasture and woodlands at the farm where I grew up and where Mother lived for more than 50 years.
She always called our attention to the autumn colors in the woods and field and garden. Some corn stalks lingered in the field beyond the barn. Pumpkins and squash, ready for picking, added color to the garden near the house.
As Mother developed Alzheimer’s, she still enjoyed the autumn leaves and harvest. I recall one autumn of taking her for drives through the colorful countryside near her home. She talked about that for days afterward, whenever she remembered. It was an event that still brings me pleasure when I think of the joy it gave her.
Are there autumn and harvest activities you can participate in with your Alzheimer’s family member? Perhaps they’re only able to be an observer, and for short periods. But their momentary joy, which may surface days later, makes it all worthwhile.
The Health and Wellness channel celebrates harvest time as Theme Week this month. Karen is hosting and has compiled a list of blogs and posts at Pink Ribbon Review.
I also have another autumn themed post here at Alzheimer’s Notes, Enjoy Autumn Creations With the Arts Bloggers.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
