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.

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

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

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

Join the Arts Bloggers for fall creations and other projects.  These may be activities your Alzheimer’s family member may enjoy as well.  If he/she can’t participate, watching you often provides pleasure, too.  My mom enjoyed anything that had to do with the colorful autumn leaves.

Celebrate fall colors
Tangled Thread is inspired by fall colors to create a new fall flower wall hanging.

Change Your Writing Tools
Encouragement to use differernt writing tools in your journal

Layers Upon Layers
Come see some of the work that has arrived at the home of the “Ties That Bind” collaborative art project, raising money for ovarian cancer research. 

Make It Pink Challenge at CraftStylish
Upload your pink craft project to CraftStylish and they’ll donate to breast cancer research
Men in Quilting – Does Grandfather Make Quilts?
After discussing the role of women in quilting for so long, Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork looks into the role of men in this art.
Scrapbook More than Your Holidays to Preserve Precious Memories
Don’t let any more family gatherings or everyday special moments fade away because no one thought to bring a camera. Capture the moments in photos. Then bring them back to life on a scrapbook page. Here’s some inspiration from Eileen.

Enjoy!  Do you have any autumn creations to share?

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Enjoy Autumn Creations with the Arts Bloggers

Autumn – the time of year my mother enjoyed.  She took walks with us children, engaged in activities, cooked foods, and celebrated birthdays (mine in October and hers in November).  She and my dad were married in November, and she always enjoyed the autumn flowers they had for their wedding…crysanthemums.

When she developed Alzheimer’s, I tried to engage in autumn activities with her.  So this time of year is one of beauty and nostalgia.

Here are some activities you might enjoy with your family.  Perhaps your Alzheimer’s member can join in, too, or at least watch you.

1. Carve pumpkins
2. Pick apples
3. Make apple dishes such as applesauce, pies, and crisp
4. Take short drives midst autumn scenery
5. Rake leaves into piles the children jump into
6. Drink apple cider and munch on donuts
7. Make Halloween costumes
8. Read autumn stories
9. Draw autumn pictures
10. Make collages by cutting pictures from magazines
11. Create an autumn scrapbook
12. Tell ghost stories
13. Gather leaves and press them

What do you do in the autumn?  What are favorite activities in your family?  Does your Alzheimer’s family member join you?

(Amazon image; click for puzzle details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Autumn Activities for the Alzheimer’s Family