Comments on: Christmas Gifts for Alzheimer’s Patients http://alzheimersadvocacy.com/2007/11/04/christmas-gifts-for-alzheimers-patients/ Support for Alzheimer's Patient Caregivers Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:52:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: omagine http://alzheimersadvocacy.com/2007/11/04/christmas-gifts-for-alzheimers-patients/comment-page-1/#comment-22387 omagine Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:45:18 +0000 http://alzheimersadvocacy.com/2007/11/04/christmas-gifts-for-alzheimers-patients/#comment-22387 While these ideas are conscientious, it is important to note that when a person is in an advanced stage of Alzheimer's, videos and tapes and audios are only useful if there is someone to operate the players for them. The use of remote controls and electronic devices is often very confusing or impossible for people with advanced Alzheimer's. The same goes for magazine - unless they are mainly visually stimulating, offering an advanced patient reading material doesn't make sense. In this case, I'd good picture books, preferably those that lend to a positive emotional climate. Photo albums are great IF they contain the photos already. I also would caution the offering of comfort food gifts, such as a box of chocolates. The recipient may find themselves overindulging. Avoid anything too perishable, lest it be ignored, and end up attracting pests. I have a horror story or two about this as well. One patient I knew received a package of fruit that she wasn't immediately interested. She set it in a cabinet, and ended up forgetting it, only to end up with a nasty ant and odor problem from the rotting forgotten fruit. While these ideas are conscientious, it is important to note that when a person is in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s, videos and tapes and audios are only useful if there is someone to operate the players for them. The use of remote controls and electronic devices is often very confusing or impossible for people with advanced Alzheimer’s.

The same goes for magazine – unless they are mainly visually stimulating, offering an advanced patient reading material doesn’t make sense. In this case, I’d good picture books, preferably those that lend to a positive emotional climate. Photo albums are great IF they contain the photos already.

I also would caution the offering of comfort food gifts, such as a box of chocolates. The recipient may find themselves overindulging. Avoid anything too perishable, lest it be ignored, and end up attracting pests. I have a horror story or two about this as well. One patient I knew received a package of fruit that she wasn’t immediately interested. She set it in a cabinet, and ended up forgetting it, only to end up with a nasty ant and odor problem from the rotting forgotten fruit.

]]> By: Judy Stabler http://alzheimersadvocacy.com/2007/11/04/christmas-gifts-for-alzheimers-patients/comment-page-1/#comment-22050 Judy Stabler Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:51:58 +0000 http://alzheimersadvocacy.com/2007/11/04/christmas-gifts-for-alzheimers-patients/#comment-22050 When we are looking for gifts for advanced Alzheimer's - There are a lot of loved ones who are in care facilities. My mother is one in the dementia wing, and i have spent so much time with her over the years and observing other residents. Pretty much the whole list given above does not apply. Residents have lost the concept of mine/yours - they wander into others rooms and take things. So - don't give anything of value - it disappears quickly. Magazines are good to carry around or tear up - not to read. "Favorite" anything is gone from memory. Things don't count anymore. What does count is your continued presence: hugs, "I love you," get them up for a walk - outside whenever possible. Remind them (just for the tone of voice and love that comes out) of all the good times, all they accomplished in their lives, what a wonderful person they are to you. My mother smiles at these times, and I know we "connect" on some level. When we are looking for gifts for advanced Alzheimer’s – There are a lot of loved ones who are in care facilities. My mother is one in the dementia wing, and i have spent so much time with her over the years and observing other residents. Pretty much the whole list given above does not apply.
Residents have lost the concept of mine/yours – they wander into others rooms and take things. So – don’t give anything of value – it disappears quickly. Magazines are good to carry around or tear up – not to read. “Favorite” anything is gone from memory.
Things don’t count anymore. What does count is your continued presence: hugs, “I love you,” get them up for a walk – outside whenever possible. Remind them (just for the tone of voice and love that comes out) of all the good times, all they accomplished in their lives, what a wonderful person they are to you.
My mother smiles at these times, and I know we “connect” on some level.

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