I was inspired by the acrostic caregiving poem at Nurture Your Own, which I mentioned in a November wrap-up post here at Alzheimer’s Notes.  Why not write one of my own, based on the word “Alzheimer’s?” 
A – Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease, but it need not devastate you nor your patient.
L – Laughter is the lifesaver when you’re an Alzheimer’s caregiver.
Z – Zip your lips when you want to make a sarcastic retort – Smile instead!
H – Hugs of encouragement are always appreciated
E – Enjoy something new you’ve experienced or observed each day
I – Ignore that which you can’t change and change only …read more

Check out this creative writing project designed by writer-in-residence Anthea McKinlay for the Glasgow City Council. It was created to allow people with demenita, living in Glasgow City Council residential care homes, to have their stories and words be seen and heard.
So far 22 books featuring 167 authors have been created through this project. Each of the different residential homes created their own book written by their residents. When the book was finished, a copy was given to each of the authors.
You can read some of the poems and prose here.

An NBC report on the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project (APP) by the NORAZ Poets group in Arizona. Using classical poems such as Longfellow’s The Arrow, the poetry readings are designed to stimulate brain activity. There are 19 facilities in Arizona participating in this project and the response has been positive.

NORAZ Poets see the Arizona Poetry Project as ‘…not the type of poetry reading that takes place from a podium. The APP is about making contact with people who have very little physical contact in their lives. We recite the poems directly to the patients, often holding their hands. It …read more

Where have you gone?
Where have you gone?
Far from the reality
of my world.
You’re lost in
A netherland of memories
That differs greatly from mine.
 
I search for you
I search for you
And hope you’ll
Come back to me.
But most of the time
You stay far away
In the mist of days ago.
 
Then….suddenly!
In a fleeting word, a glance, a smile
We share a
 momentary joy
When past and present
come full turn.
(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen
 
 
 
 

I often find solace in writing down my feelings in poetry.  I’ve discovered this form sometimes serves me better than pure prose.  
As I recall those Alzheimer’s days with my mom, words come to mind that seem better expressed verse.  Perhaps this brings me closer to Mother, too, for she frequently jotted her thoughts and feelings in poetry.  
When You Think the Mind Is Gone
By Mary Emma Allen
When you think the mind is gone,
And she doesn’t recognize,
When the past becomes her life
And time flows into time….
 
Then a window opens,
If only for a moment…
She smiles in recognition
As you say her name.
 
Or the notes of a familiar song
Brings alertness …read more