JOAN’S BLOG – Friday, May 02, 2008- SOMETHING DIFFERENT/SOMETHING FUN

Today, I am going to do something different from my usual Blog. I accidentally stumbled across what I think could be an interesting and stimulating activity for spouses to do together, up until the very end stages of AD.

The PBS website is “The Forgetting- A Portrait of Alzheimer’s”. “The Living Center” is an interactive section of the site that can be used as an enjoyable activity for someone with Alzheimer's Disease. At the end of this Blog there is a direct link to the site, as well as an explanation of how the Living Center can be used, which I copied directly from the website.

Please allow me to offer a few additional suggestions for language facilitation (Can’t help myself – Once a therapist, always a therapist, I guess.)

Be patient. Speak slowly and softly. Click on the activity and show your spouse how it works. If they don't understand, that's okay. They may just enjoy watching you manipulate the images.

In the Map activity, you may want to choose a place you and your spouse have visited together. Instead of asking if they remember visiting there, try asking what they like about the place; point to different parts of the picture, and talk about it with them, interspersing memories of your own.

Sid and I tried the puzzle picture, which would have been excellent if I hadn’t messed up the directions. If you look to the left, there are different buttons to click that will move the puzzle pieces. It requires hand/eye coordination; if that is too challenging for your spouse, you can place your hand over theirs and move it together, asking them to tell you where they think the piece will go.

Sid definitely was not into the flower arranging, and the Garden Shed was too easy for him. Everyone is at a different level of functioning, but I would urge you to give it a try. Below is a summary of the site. Click this link to go to “The Forgetting,- A Portrait of Alzheimer’s”. Let me know what you think after you and your spouse have tried it.

What is the Living Center?
The living center is a collection of activities created specifically to help family and friends spend enjoyable time with people who have Alzheimer’s disease. Designed in conjunction with leading Alzheimer’s experts and computer scientists, The Living Center is meant to engage people in all different stages of Alzheimer’s. Once you enter The Living Center, you’ll find yourself in a comfortable living room full of activities such as:

• The Map – Browse old pictures from around the country and spark interesting reactions and conversations.
• Flower Arranging – Create and enjoy unique flower arrangements.
• Art Box – Watch animated kaleidoscope designs. Change the colors and shapes.
• Sears Catalog – Page through a 1950s Sears catalog and find your favorite items.
• Garden Shed – Organize a yard full of classic garden tools.
• Puzzle – Piece together a videogame-style puzzle. This is a great activity for children to do with grandparents.
• Radio (coming soon) – Listen to familiar songs. The radio learns your preferences as you listen.

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