Tonight we turn our clocks ahead…and get up an hour earlier in the morning.  I enjoy the longer evenings of daylight and somehow find I get so much more done. 
However, until the year approaches its longest day, in June, our mornings remain darker.  If we’re earlier risers, we’ll find it dark or dawn.  But…we may have the glorious adventure of watching the sunrise rather than having it fully daylight when we get up.
Sometimes the changes in time will affect Alzheimer’s patients and confuse them if they have a body pattern.  In others, who simply have a nap and awake mode, they’ll …read more

Even though the snow is still deep here in New Hampshire, the air is warmer, ice is melting and days are getting longer. Spring is on it’s way so thoughts of gardening become frequent. In fact, you can’t find snow shovels and ice melt in most of the stores. They’re stocking their garden supplies.
Gardening is a stress reliever for many people and caregivers are no exception. Also, gardens often have a calming effect and bring back memories for Alzheimer’s patients.
I grew up on a farm where a large garden was necessary to feed children, hired help and other family members. …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
As I gaze at the colorful foliage of autumn around my New Hampshire home, I’m reminded of my mother’s love of this time of year.  We were surrounded by pasture and woodlands at the farm where I grew up and where Mother lived for more than 50 years. 
She always called our attention to the autumn colors in the woods and field and garden.  Some corn stalks lingered in the field beyond the barn.  Pumpkins and squash, ready for picking, added color to the garden near the house. 
As Mother developed Alzheimer’s, she still enjoyed the autumn leaves and harvest.  I recall one …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
Although it’s sad to see Liz leave Alzheimer’s Notes as my co-blogger, I can understand her need to prioritize her life and decided where she needs to spend her time.  I’ve enjoyed having Liz blogging with me and found she added a dimension and interest to this blog.
As we experience September, autumn, back-to-school, and cooler weather (in the Northern Hemisphere), I’m also thinking about the directions for Alzheimer’s Notes.  If you have suggestions about what you’d like to see here, do let me know in the comments.  If you’d like to write a guest post, e-mail me and we can …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com

Are you watching the Olympics?  With Michael Phelps setting Olympic records, swimming will be taking a “front seat” in sports.  More youngsters likely will want to become involved in swimming lessons and events.
If you have youngsters in your caregiver’s household, you may find their interest sparked by the Olympics competitions.  Are you all interested in learning more about swimming?
Here are a few books about swimming for entertainment and instruction.
The Boy Who Wouldn’t Swim
Sergio Makes a Splash
Learn to Swim
Adam Sharp, Swimming with Sharks (a mystery)
Freestyle Made Easy
Mark Spitz: The Extraordinary Life of an Olympic Champion
Golden Girl: How Natalie Coughlin Fought Back
(Amazon …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
If you and your family are following the Olympics and would like some related activities and information, here’s a list of posts that appear on my blogs so far.  My co-bloggers and I will be sharing more in the coming week.
Even your Alzheimer’s patient may enjoy watching some of these events even if they don’t fully comprehend.  I imagine many nursing homes will feature the Olympics and even have some special activities.  They did this around special occasions when my mom lived in a nursing home.
Also check out the b5media Olympics blog, Light the Torch, by Sandy Mitchell and Jeanne …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
 Sometimes phrases will spark memories and enthrall the Alzheimer’s patient.  See if you can remember any they may have been mentioned about your patient’s childhood.  These may be outdated words and phrases, but they reflect the world where your patient currently resides.
The Dog Days of Summer….this was an expression of my childhood during the lazy, hazy days of languid, humid heat and still seems to be a saying or description of this time of year from about July 3 to August 11.  I recall my mom mentioning this when we were in the midst of haying and canning and the weather was hottest in the …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
 In the United States, we’re celebrating Fourth of July, or Independence Day. There are parades, fireworks, community activities, and for many a weekend off from work.  You may be somewhat confined at home, if you’re caring for an Alzheimer’s patient.  Or you may be visiting your family member at a nursing home and joining in festivities there.
When I was growing up, we couldn’t take a day off from the dairy farm work. However, we usually visited relatives for a holiday meal, a family reunion type of gathering, then returned home for the evening chores. Then as dusk descended, we watched …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
As the Fourth of July approaches, many communities will hold parades and fireworks.  However, it’s usually not feasible to take Alzheimer’s patients to these.  Sometimes even youngsters find them very tiring.
When you need relaxation and some home activities, check out some of those at One Book Two Book, where I’m a co-blogger.  If the Alzheimer’s patient can’t participate, he/she often enjoys simply watching.
Books, particularly picture books hold their attention for awhile and may remind them of earlier days.  When Mother was in the mid stages of Alzheimer’s, she’d say the words she recognized, even when she might not make the mental …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
 Blooming in June was the focus of the b5 Lifestyles Channel theme day, hosted by Linette Gerlach’s Mother Earth’s Garden blog. With everyone mentioning blooming, flowers, cooking, or expanding your talents, the blogs have a great deal to offer for broadening your horizons this summer.
Find here ways to brighten your days and that of your Alzheimer’s patient.  Perhaps even the children in your home.  Just reading the phrase, “blooming in June,” gives me cheery visions of flowers and gardens and birds and butterflies.  Then there are floral designs on food and quilts and crafts.  When you take time for introspection, …read more