Spend time with her this Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is almost here, and we would like to take this moment to look at some strategies for celebrating Mother’s Day for people who have mothers with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease can really affect the way we celebrate special moments with our loved ones. The things we used to do on Mother’s Day may not be possible anymore. While this can be challenging, it doesn’t have to get us down and depressed. Just like many other disabling conditions, Alzheimer’s must be confronted with a mentality that focuses on abilities rather than disabilities.

It is important for the emotional wellbeing of you and your mother to maintain a sense of normalcy in spite of Alzheimer’s or dementia. If you use to do special things on Mother’s Day, continue to do them as long as they are possible. If certain activities can no longer be done, do not hesitate to adapt.

Spending time

Alzheimersweekly.com suggests toning down celebrations if your mother feels lost. Do simple and calm activities as appropriate. The most important thing is simply being there for her, and common ways for letting her know you are there are to do tactile activities, such as brushing her hair or painting her fingernails. These can pave the way for quiet spaces and possible conversation.

Alzheimer’s friendly card game

Mind-Start Numbers and Suits Cards

To achieve these goals and strategies, products we recommend include our many games for Alzheimer’s patients. These games, such at the Mind-Start Numbers and Suits Card Game, provide tactile and visual stimuli and are a great way to spend time and be present. This simplified playing card game includes ten game-playing ideas for both higher and lower functioning level players.

Team work on a puzzle

Monet's Garden 63 Piece Puzzle by Relish Life

Is your mother a fan of jigsaw puzzles? The Monet's Garden Puzzle by Relish Life is a challenging cognitive activity for senior citizens with Alzheimer’s disease but includes well-defined, familiar objects like a farmhouse, trees, and colorful flowers.

If you need a simpler puzzle, try the Bathing Birds 35 Piece Puzzle by Relish Life. This smaller-sized puzzle depicts distinct, bright-colored birds.

Tactile activities

An adapted fidget toy can help alleviate stress and anxiety by keeping hands busy and focused on doing rather than achieving. Relish Life designed, tried, and tested fidget products with a network of caregivers, care homes, and people with dementia, who all provided invaluable insights that influenced the creation process.

Twiddle Cat Senior Activity Muff

Another tactile experience you provide for your mother or loved one is the Twiddle-Cat Senior Activity Muff, a warm hand muff with a variety of textured features. It includes a sealed sack of marbles, a squeeze ball, textured ribbons, color beads, and a Velcro pull patch.

We hope you have a blessed Mother’s Day and that you will be inspired with an idea to make it a special day this year.