Another form of caregiving...lap robes for hospitalized veterans

Please be kind: It's not the person--it's the disease

 You can find the Alzheimer's Association definition here: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp

You Cannot Pour from an Empty Cup

Music Therapy for Dementia

My mother was suffering from dementia and was legally blind. It was difficult to think of activities for her. Then I remembered that many years earlier she was a fan of a TV program called Sing Along with Mitch, which featured the Mitch Miller Orchestra. As the lyrics scrolled across the screen the "home audience" was encouraged to sing along with the performers.

Now Mother was long past being able to watch television, but the Mitch Miller audio tapes and CDs were easily available. I bought one and played it for her. Not only did she enjoy listening to the music, but she also remembered many of the lyrics to once again "sing along."

These songs also triggered other memories and Mother began reminiscing about various people and events, something that she had not done in a very long time. It made us both happy

The Alzheimer's Association recommends using music therapy and has helpful suggestions for choosing and using music at: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-music-art-therapy.asp

 

Caregiving and the Sandwich Generation

A recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch discusses an innovative solution for elder care--young adults are living with their grandparents so they can care for each other.
Read the full article here:

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/creative-caregiving-solutions-for-the-sandwich-generation/article_a2870605-04c6-5237-8a01-df788cf251dd.html