My mother stuck her head into the basement office of the house I shared with my parents in St. Catharines, Ont. “Don’t tell your father,” she said timidly, “but I can’t remember how to use the washing machine.”
So begins an article that is featured in the February 2008 issue of Canadian Living. Written by Peter D. A. Warwick, it’s a very personal and moving story of dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease. You can read the full text at CanadianLiving.com

Interview with Lauren Kessler who wrote the book ‘Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer’s’

AlzheimersNotes.com 
  I was excited, after posting What Would You Like to See at Alzheimer’s Notes in 2008, an immediate response from readers.  This gives me a direction to plan with some of my posts for these topics suggested have multiple aspects to them.
*How can friends and family members on the fringes of Alzheimer’s help, encourage and react?
*Suggestions for balancing caregiving and work.
*I’d mentioned desiring more guest posts and already have someone working on one.
*How can you help children understand Alzheimer’s?
Keep tuned and you’ll be seeing information on these topics and more.
What else would you like to see?
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Short film by Michael Sewell exploring Alzheimer’s impact on a young family.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is introducing a ‘AFA Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship’ in 2008. The $5,000 scholarship is designed to be used in the student’s first year of college.
Interested High School students (juniors and seniors) have to write a 1,200 words essay about ‘the impact Alzheimer’s Disease has one their own lives and what they have learned about themselves, their families and/or their community in coping with the disease.’. The application deadline is February 15th and details can be found at the website.
The AFA Teens website is also a great place for teens to visit to learn …read more

These are great for people who are no longer able to follow radio or television programs. Relaxation videos/DVD’s have no narrative and simply provide a soothing visual and musical experience. They can provide an avenue for reminiscing about the past and are also very helpful in reducing agitation and sundowning.
Resource:
Relaxationvideos.com

SeniorStore.com sells three great activity books that offer the opportunity to remember and reminisce about earlier decades.
1920s

1930s

1940s

Exercise is another important component of staying healthy and depending on what stage of Alzheimer’s Disease the person is at, an exercise or fitness video might be an appropriate gift, especially if they aren’t able to get out and about due to weather…
Of course, it would be important to discuss this with the person’s doctor first to ensure that it would help and not impair the person’s health. Various other medical conditions could be contra indictive to exercive videos.
Resources:
Active Videos
Senior Store

How about a classic board game for the person with Alzheimer’s Disease?
It’s a known fact that engaging in mentally stimulating activities on a regular basis helps to maintain brain function. Board games can provide that stimulation.
And not only do the games provide mental stimulation, they also provide a bonding activity for the whole family. Buy a game and then plan on regular game days or evenings for the family.

A personalized wooden jigsaw puzzle is a great idea for a gift. It would provide not only a familiar memory for the person with Alzheimer’s Disease but would also provide an cognitive skills actiivity.
This video shows how it is made…