Photo Albums and Memory Books Helpful When Visiting Elders

By Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide Friday, December 21, 2012

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Many people are reluctant to visit elders, whether they are in their homes or a facility, mainly because they wonder what they’ll talk about. While this reluctance is more of a worry if the elder has memory problems from dementia, it’s often a problem even when memory isn’t an issue...

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12/21/12 12:42pm

Carol, What you mentioned is interesting. However, it didn't work well for my lat FIL. In early moderate stage, he loved the photos and wanted us to save them. Later on, when I showed him some of his elder son's photos, he didn't know him and was upset. I tried to show him. He even hided away the photo I gave him. Even the ones with himself, my husband, or my parents... He was upset that we tried to do that. He did not care about the photos. In severe stage, he deliberately closed his eyes on any photo on the wall on in the pc. He was not even sad that he didn't know the photos. Familiar stuff like pillows or paintings may help. In severe stage,he didn't care anymore. So at some point, we had to accept that he doesn't need the familiar stuff anymore. But familiar persons such as me and my husband were important to him. Best, Nina

Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide

12/22/12 6:53am

Hi Nina,

Your note highlights the fact that each person with Alzhiemer's is different and will react differently to what we try. Most people, at least around mid-stage, do enjoy memories. However, some don't as you've pointed out. Also, of course, in late stage dementia, it's hard to find anthing that will interest a person. Some respond better than others.

Thanks for you insight, as always. You're such a blessing to us on this site.

Take care,

Carol

Photo Albums and Memory Books Helpful When Visiting Elders

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