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 not sense the time change at all.  It simply may be more difficult upon the caregivers as they adapt to the different time.

Do you find Daylight Savings Time affecting your schedule and lifestyle?

For further information about Daylight Saving Time…it’s history and facts and figures:

About Daylight Saving Time (a web site)

Books:

Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time by David Prerau

Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time by Michael Downing

Time for Change: Setting Clocks Forward by One Hour Throughout the Year by Mayer Hillman

Crafting Springtime Gifts: 25 Adorable Projects Featuring Bunnies, Chicke, Lambs & Other Springtome Favorites by Tone Finnanger

The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle

For information on obtaining these books, check out my pages at the left, Books About Spring & Daylight Saving Time.

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Post from: Blisstree

Daylight Saving Time’s Upon Us

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. Throughout the years, Jim and I’ve had gardens in several of the many places where we’ve lived.

I even wrote a gardening column for a magazine for awhile. So…I’ve begun a gardening blog and thought it would be fun to explore this realm of writing once again.

If you’re a gardening fanatic, or simply would like some more information, memories, and fun reading, join me at Gardens Green & Glorious.

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Post from: Blisstree

Thoughts of Gardening & My Gardening Blog

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 autumn of taking her for drives through the colorful countryside near her home.  She talked about that for days afterward, whenever she remembered.  It was an event that still brings me pleasure when I think of the joy it gave her.

Are there autumn and harvest activities you can participate in with your Alzheimer’s family member?  Perhaps they’re only able to be an observer, and for short periods.  But their momentary joy, which may surface days later, makes it all worthwhile.

The Health and Wellness channel celebrates harvest time as Theme Week this month.  Karen is hosting and  has compiled a list of blogs and posts at Pink Ribbon Review.

I also have another autumn themed post here at Alzheimer’s Notes, Enjoy Autumn Creations With the Arts Bloggers.

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Harvest Time, Foliage Time Brings Memories to Alzheimer’s Patients

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 discuss a topic.

Do you have questions you’d like answered?  Experiences you’d like to share?  Or simply general thoughts about Alzheimer’s and caregiving, let me know.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Direction for Alzheimer’s Notes

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

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Is Your Family Enthralled by the Swimming Events in the Olympics?

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 Dupuis for the latest on this big event.

Mary Emma’s Olympics Blog Features

OneBookTwoBook – Mary Emma Allen & Marcie Pickelsimer (This is Olympics Week at One Book Two Book )

Olympic Games for Young Readers

China in the News – Earthquakes & Olympics & Memories of Pearl Buck –

30 US Teens Participate in the Olympics

Tune Up for the Olympics at One Book Two Book

The Best Olympic Books

Quilting & Patchwork – Mary Emma Allen

Do You Know There are 30 US Teens in the Olympics? –

What Quilting Are You Doing During the Olympics?

Alzheimer’s Notes – Mary Emma Allen & Liz Lewis

30 US Teens in the Olympics

Home Biz Notes – Mary Emma Allen & Yvonne Russell

Do You Know 30 US Teens Are Participating in the Olympics?

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Olympics News on Mary Emma Allen’s Blogs, Including Alzheimer’s Notes

 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 Hudson River Valley of New York State.

The term seems to go way back to mythology  and the conjunction of Sirus (called the “dog star”) and the sun, which occurs in mid summer.  Also, some people connect Dog Days with a hot time of year when dogs can become irritable.  

“Dog Days of Summer” is the theme this week at another of my blogs, One Book Two Book.

For more information about Dog Days:

Dog Days of Summer

Dog Days

The Dog Days of Summer

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Would Your Alzheimer’s Patient Know About the “Dog Days of Summer?”

 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 fireworks from the “Big Hill,” a hay field on a hill top from which we could see for miles. Bursts of fireworks were visible in the darkening sky.

How do you celebrate Fourth of July?

If you don’t live in the United States, do you have a similar holiday? Share with us.

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Fourth of July from Alzheimer’s Notes

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 connection.  Or the word or picture could set her to reminiscing.  They often enjoy having children read books to them.

Check out these links:

Fourth of July Craft Ideas

10 Best Fourth of July Picture Books

All American Week

Fourth of July Books for Teens

What ideas do you have to celebrate Fourth of July with Alzheimer’s patients and/or youngsters?

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Fourth of July Activities for Alzheimer’s Patient and Youngsters in Your Home

 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, you’ll find ways to feel better about yourself…blooming within.

Two of the blogs where I write participated.  One Book Two Book, provided Have Fun With a Nature Station by co-blogger Karen Weideman. My other Lifestyles blog, Quilting and Patchwork offered Bloom Where You Are in Your Quilting World.

What ideas do you have for June in bloom in your life? Share them with us!

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Gardens & Blooms in June to Brighten Your Day and Outlook