My Mom also has early stage Alzheimers. She attends a day program twice a
week at a senior centre, she is 86. She calls it her work days. She was
always a creative person and loves it still.
My sister got involved recently doing arts and crafts with the seniors and
I hear about it, and help her out with projects.
My sister's hit projects with arts and crafts have been simple decorative
items done with glue sticks and paper and beads, foam pieces, ribbons,
lace, confetti, etc.. Such as,
-- heart shaped paper doilie saches, decorated first with heart shaped
items of different textures, then glued together. Glue two sides partially
together, put cotton balls with a few drops of essential oil inside then
glued shut. Put a ribbon at the top as well and it can be hung or put in
clothing drawers. (for valentines day, or any day)
-- we bought some paper lanterns ($1.50 each), of solid colors, and have
members decorate with clippings, artificial flowers, for spring or summer.
-- holiday ornaments with easy beading, they loved doing. Hot glue plastic
berries, etc. (glue gun can only be used by able users). Teacher and
helper.
I'm not sure if what I say may be anything new to you about Alzheimer's or
Dementia. As you may have found out, if given a short task people with Alz
or Dem. will stick to it, but may become lost afterwards, or sometimes
during they can forget what they are doing. Their motor skills are
diminishing, so with simple skills like winding a pipe cleaner around a
piece of metal tinsel, or threading beads combined with lace, they may
need help. We prepare more than a teacher would for grade 2 classes.
For the artist, it may be disheartening. One lady who attends my sisters
sessions thought has often commented, 'I can't believe I've made this!'
which is wonderful for my sister to hear, and makes it all worthwhile for
her.
