How to Make Gifts for Alzheimer's Patients
When making a gift for a person with the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, it's really just like making a gift for anyone else. You want them to have something meaningful and sentimental, and something that may jog up an old memory from the past. But as the diseases progresses, creating gifts for the patient becomes more about making them or their surroundings comfortable and appealing, and less about any reaction you may expect from them, as they may no longer remember you or even how to open a gift.
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Things You'll Need
- Familiar photographs
- Soft fabrics with varying textures
- Manipulative materials
Instructions
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Choose a gift that the patient can associate with something familiar. A stuffed animal that looks like a pet they once owned, or even a baby doll, is often a great gift for advance Alzheimer's patients. They will appreciate the feel of the toy and will have something to hold on to and keep their hands busy and active.
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Use pictures in the gifts you make when possible, and then reference the people, places or objects in the picture during conversation. This may help to keep memories of family and friends and the past alive in their minds as long as possible, and it will give them a reference to go to when they want to remember something from the past. Homemade picture frames are simple to make and would display the photos for the patient to view at any time. Photo albums or DVDs with family slide shows and old home videos would also be a very thoughtful gift to make.
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Make something that can easily be manipulated, as Alzheimer's patients are often looking for things to play with, bend, move, color or feel. Lap blankets with different textured materials act as leg warmers and actile objects for them to explore with their hands. Take a familiar photograph and glue it to cardboard then cut it in to a few puzzle-like pieces. This will help exercise the patient's mind and give their hands something to do to keep active.
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Tips & Warnings
The further the disease progresses, the less an Alzheimer's patient is likely to care about gifts and opening them. Ensuring their comfort is the top priority, so any gift you can make or give that keeps them as happy and comfortable as possible will be the best gift you can give. Advanced crafters could make clothes that easily slip on and off over the patient's head, allowing them quick clothing changes without the discomfort of being shifted all around in their bed or chair. Homemade lotions and soaps are also a well-received gift for Alzheimer's patients in all stages.
Avoid giving sharp, breakable or hard objects to patient's with Alzheimer's disease as these could pose a threat to the patient's health if dropped, stepped on or handled incorrectly.
