Participating in Parties for Alzheimer’s Patients

Most nursing homes where Alzheimer’s patients live have parties to celebrate holidays and special occasions.  My family and I tried to attend as many of these as possible, even after Mother no longer knew what the festive occasion meant.

I found this a way to share with Mother in this new life that had come upon her. Hopefully we made her journey through Alzhemer’s more pleasant.  Sometimes it would be an event with all the residents.  Other times we had just a family party.

I recall Jim and I having one Thanksgiving dinner at the nursing home with Mother, who thought we’d taken her to eat at a nice restaurant.  Mother’s Day brunches, Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve (actually afternoon) gatherings, summer barbecues, as well as other events were organized at the home.

I participated in all that I could, but wasn’t able to make them all because business took us away from home.  In later years, too, Mother no longer knew whether we were there or not…at least we didn’t think she did.

Also, my grandchildren looked forward to these occasions at the nursing home.  In those years, before they were very involved in school activities, visiting Great Grandma was almost a weekly event in their lives.  We look at pictures taken of our visits and reminisce.

Participate when you can in events with your family member…you’ll find enjoyment while bringing joy to them.