Scrapbooking for Alzheimer’s Patients

I’ve experienced some very enjoyable times with nursing home residents, some of whom had Alzheimer’s, scrapbooking and recording family memories. On one occasion, I worked with them for three successive Wednesdays on a joint scrapbooking project. 

 With the assistance of one of the activity aides,  we pasted photos on pages to make a general scrapbook they could look at whenever they wanted.  Using photos they had taken at the nursing home during various activities, we found several for each of the men and ladies participating.

The participants would choose the color of paper for their page(s), the decorations (stickers) to add, the type of scissors for cutting an edging on the photo.  Most of them couldn’t cut the photos; however, if they could or wanted, we encouraged them.

Some participants came every week; others only one week.  They all seemed to enjoy chatting about their pictures and the memories they evoked.  After the album was finished, they liked to look for “my” page.

I found this a very enjoyable activity and had such fun working with the residents.  Scrapbooking can be utilized in various ways and can include families during these sessions, making memory books for their family member.