As I researched buttons for a post on my Quilting and Patchwork blog, I recalled how buttons and other mementos entertained my mom and often brought back memories after she developed Alzheimer’s. 
“Do you know, we had buttons on our shoes,” Mother informed me as she played with the buttons I was sewing on a blouse.  “And we used a button hook to fasten them.” 
Then she began to tell me other stories about her childhood.  This occurred while she could still talk coherently and relate her memories. 
Later, something like buttons, a piece of jewelry, as flower, a color would draw short …read more

In the previous post, Liz mentions using books and art with Alzheimer’s patients  and gives resources for finding them.  Magazines also are useful in stimulating Alzheimer’s patients’ memory and entertaining them.
I recall how Mother enjoyed turning the pages of a magazine, when she could still do this.  She’d recognize some pictures and comment on them.  Sometimes they would stimulate her memory and take her to earlier eras of her life. 
When she lived with me, magazines often entertained her.  At that time she still could read some of the words, even understand brief phrases.  We’d often sit and look at the …read more

One of the activities I conducted in a nursing home consisted of jogging memories and reminiscing about family history.  We used a questionnaire the acitivities aide and I discussed with the group and recorded their answers.
These were fun for the residents, who chatted among themselves as we introduced the memory joggers.  These also can be fun for families to use with their family member with Alzheimer’s.  I enjoyed writing down and recording my mom’s reminiscing for her family.
I’ve recently discovered a book that will aid in jogging memories, Mothballs in My Attic, by Cindy O’Neill at www.mimabook.com .  This book uses words to bring …read more