Was Your Alzheimer’s Patient a Button Collector?

                          Josh Johnson’s post, Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?, at Junk Creation, got me thinking about buttons and button collecting over the years.  Josh shows a picture of the jar his wife uses for her buttons. 

Do you have button memories connected with your Alzheimer’s family member or friend?  Do these items have meaning and memories for them?

My mother had her button jar and tin of utilitarian buttons.  She collected them, like so many ladies of her era, to have on hand when a button popped off a piece of clothing.  They also were available when we made dresses and other items of clothing that called for button closings.

Homemakers long have been collectors of buttons, left over from times ago when every button was precious and useful for replacing lost ones on clothing.  However, in more recent years, decorating quilts and fabric art with buttons has become popular.

Mother stored buttons in a jar, as Josh’s wife does, as well as a tin.  I have my button jars (one formerly a peanut butter jar).  I try to sort some of my buttons by color, size or material they’re made from.  Others I simply toss into the jar.  You also might consider plastic containers or a bowl or basket.                                    

   The history of buttons also evolves into a fascinating study.  Many have stories to tell and memories to bring forth.  Do buttons bring forth memories for Alzheimer’s patients, as well as for us?   

If you have a button collection, why not tell us about it?