Holidays and Birthdays

Re: Mother's Day

Pat — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:07:46 GMT

Thanks, Happy. That gives me some ideas to go on.

Re: Mother's Day

happy — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:08:14 GMT

I am a Continuing Care Aid for Home Care. I have also had a father and a mother in law pass away from Alzheimers.

I see many families bring the most impractical gifts for there families

I have included a list of things I have found that are practical, useful and apreciated.

Cd's or cassette of favorite music

Easy to wear clothing, nothing hand wash or beaded as laundry will not recieve special care, large buttons, velcro and stretchy material is best

Night lights

These are a godsend when assisting someone to bathe-Hand held showers/tub chair

Safety bars for tub/shower

Bath products, lip balm

If they are appropriate depends, pads etc

Magazines that are easy to read

Not sure of the name but they are at most dollar stores they are a cord with a clip at the end that holds your keys around the neck

Covers for eating to keep there clothes neat, preferably something witha tasteful pattern, we do not want them to look like bibs

a jar opener, thick handled eating utensils

a safety sweep of there house including new batteries for there smoke detector, backing for all the rugs and lights in all hallways

taxi fare if they no longer drive

Life line is a service that allows clients to wear a button on there wrist that they can push if they ever fall or are lost. Most states have a similiar service they are just under a different name. Cost varies, also Radio shack has a necklace style one that seems to be very good.

Anything that makes the client/caregivers life easier...

Hope it helps

Happy

Re: Mother's Day

Pat — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:29:15 GMT

latenightleader:
I was wondering,Pat, I know you sew, does she have a quilted pocket for a book

Thanks for the idea, but her Alzheimer's is getting worse quickly now. I don't know if she would understand what it was for or remember to use it.

Re: Mother's Day

latenightleader — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:18:09 GMT

I made a photocalender for my family, I think in 2002? My mom keeps it up still, I had put all the birthdays on, she uses it for her birthday calender! I made each page collages, photos of my parents, the 8 kids, and the grandkids. Now there are 20 grandkids, 19 earthly, one in heaven.

I was wondering,Pat, I know you sew, does she have a quilted pocket for a book, you slide a piece of cloth between the mattress and box spring, the pocket is big enough for a book and can be quilted or just a double layer of nice fabric? They are handy, if she wears glasses it is nice to stash your book and glasses. I think you could find measurements online. It wouold be something she could open-

Here's a rather fancy one-

http://www.goldviolin.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=90333

I like this one-

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13851&PRODID=xprd73091

Re: Mother's Day

MarthaMFI — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:54:22 GMT

The gift of Time is always nice. I have always noticed people who can't get out and about enjoy visits the most. There is a carehome beside my inlaws condo and there is a little pretty park across the street with a pond (a couple of ducks usually there) when visitors take the residents often.

I know the photo calendar idea is great for anyone, dementia or not. My sil made one for my fil for xmas and he loves it. What about a digital photo frame with the changing photos? My mil likes the screen saver on their computer that goes though all the photos (mostly the grandkids) so when the prices come down on the larger photo ones we will get her one.

Normally for mothers day I do hanging baskets or something for the garden for my mom. traditional for me. She likes it. I started the same thing, asking for hanging baskets since I will buy them anyways. and they are reasonably priced. hopefully it stops freezing by then.

I ordered the black sheep squadron dvd set for mil. discovered they had it at columbia house and I have a credit of about $25. She likes that show alot and loves dvds.

maybe a lap quilt would be nice?

Re: Mother's Day

Keriamon — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:51:09 GMT

The Vermont Country Store has a bunch of old-timey and immigrant (like German and Swedish) cookies, cakes and candies that you can't much find anywhere else. I got my husand's elderly aunts plum puddings with brandy sauce for Christmas (also got my grandmother one and one for me!). Taking into account anyone who is diabetic, most elderly people can eat sweets, and if you can get something they remember from childhood, then it's an even better surprise.

The other two things that have gone over well with elderly family members are Gardener's Therapy hand creme from Crabtree and Evelyn, which my mother has declared the very best thing for dry and cracked hands; and I got my grandparents a bottle of hand and foot creme from The Vermont store that is supposed to help improve circulation and warm you hands/feet up. I didn't think to ask them the last time I saw them if it worked, but they we interested to try it when they unwrapped it (they're cold a lot).

Re: Mother's Day

Pat — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:38:12 GMT

I'm kind of leaning toward a picnic right now. I'll talk to my sister and see if we can get together on it; it would be easier if both of us were there. I wish she could ride, we could take her to a state nature park about an hour away. I think she would enjoy the birds. Maybe.

Re: Mother's Day

Gigi — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:16:35 GMT

I understand. Neither my mother or MIL make it "easy." Just because we think it is something that they would like, or liked something in the past, doesn't mean they really would like it now. Time together is more important.

Re: Mother's Day

Pat — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:56:03 GMT

A picnic lunch in the park might be a good idea, thanks!

Re: Mother's Day

Luvd_Lioness — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:30:57 GMT

Pat,

What about doing a picnic lunch at the place or in a park close by? Spending time might be just as good as a gift...

Re: Mother's Day

Pat — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:23:58 GMT

My sister and I took her out to lunch last year, but I'm not sure she's up to it this year. Besides Alzheimer's she has knee problems that keep her from walking much and arthritis stopped her from crocheting several years ago. She gets carsick so we can't take her very far... ack!

If we could get her into a wheelchair (she's also contrary at times), she might enjoy a pioneer museum here, thanks for the idea. She still reads quite a bit, but there's a limit to how many books one can give.

It's really hard to know what will catch her interest and what won't.

Re: Mother's Day

Gigi — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:13:47 GMT

Thanks! I too, have completely forgotten about it. My mother is 82 and definitely showing signs of dementia. I have been helping, through organization and encouragement, my father tackle being her main caretaker as well as tasks he had never done before. I have been very focused with this challenge as well as my other obligations, and completely forgot about Mother's Day!

My mother-in-law has Alzheimer's, and DH and did not know what to get her for her birthday gift earlier this year. In the end, we created a family gift of a DVD player and 1940's type movies. I do not think it has been installed. :-( My husband will visit his mother and probably bring sweets or flowers for Mother's Day.

My mother is only interested in watching television (they already have plenty of movies and a DVD player) and feeling comfortable. She only reads the newspaper. She likes my coconut macaroons, so I guess I will make them for her. Unfortunately, even that choice may not be a good one. My daughter made biscotti as a Christmas present for her, and they are still on the counter uneaten.

Some choices you might want to think about is taking her out to lunch in a fancy restaurant, having her hair styled, bringing her for a manicure or pedicure, or bringing her out to a museum.

I read an article recently concerning the therapeutic benefits of art museums and Alzheimer's patients. One program took the anxious patients to each picture and discussed it with them. The patients seemed to be somewhat open in discussing the paintings. One "session," or visit, could reduce anxiety for approximately three weeks. I thought this was great news for my in-laws. I printed the article and the addresses of all the art museums in their area. My FIL refused to take her.

I have also read where knitting and crocheting can hold off dementia, so I will sit with my mother a couple of times per week in the sunshine (weather permitting) and we chat while I knit and she crochets. My mother becomes more calm and more like her old self during these times. I do not know if it will have any long term effect in the future.

Maybe I will change my mind, and take her out to a restaurant.

Re: Mother's Day

Pat — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:50:38 GMT

That's a neat idea, Deb, thanks.

Re: Mother's Day

DEBLANEAZ — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:32:56 GMT

Pat...

Just a suggestion...The year after my Mother in Law was diag. with Alzheimer's we gave her for mothers day a "Photo-Calendar" which we got through the local Walgreen Drug Store Photo Department...We used some of her favorite photos....

May - Was Her photo with her childern when they were young....

June- Old photo of her brother - whose birthday was in June...

July - Photo of a previous 4th of July family picnic....

The jest was to help her remember family and friends....she really enjoyed looking at the next months photo...and seemed to keep her aware of of family members that were no longer around.

deb in az

Mother's Day

Pat — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:12:09 GMT

It just dawned on me that it's coming up quickly. My Mom just turned 85 and has Alzheimer's, though not really bad yet. Does anyone have any idea of what I could make for her? I knitted a shrug for Christmas with some books. I'd like to find something unique but useful for someone who really doesn't need anything. How's that for a tall order?