Kids Are The Best Medicine For Alzheimer's Patients
77Kids Make Alzheimer's Patients Laugh And Sing
Popular Singalong Songs Available Here
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Alzheimer's Patients Love Music
With a little guidance from parents, teachers and nurses, kids can bring light and joy into the life of a grandparent suffering from Alzheimer's. The key to helping them interact with their afflicted loved one is to gently teach them about Alzheimer's and then show them how to emotionally connect with the person who's suffering from it.
Music and song can create a powerful bond. Think of Broadway musicals like The Sound of Music , South Pacific and The King and I. The adult characters are burdened with serious problems but no matter how hard things get, the kids who love them bring joy, music and light into their lives. In real life, almost all kids love to sing and dance and they have a wonderful ability to connect with the adults around them, including those with Alzheimer's, because they stay focused in the present moment. Music is a universal language that one never forgets and it automatically elicits an emotional, usually joyful, response.
As a homecare nurse I witnessed a wonderful example of this when I made a home visit to Mr. Smith one Christmas day. He was normally as cantankerous and grouchy as Scrooge and rarely spoke to me when I tended to his leg ulcers but when I entered the living room he was sitting in a rocker with his 5 year old grandson on his lap singing a lively rendition of Jingle Bells with the child. They both shook silver bells in their hands and were totally absorded in their performance.The sight of them having so much fun was the best Christmas gift I received that year.
Teach Kids The "Language" Of Alzheimer's
Kids need to know that communicating with Grandma or Grandpa is different now that they have Alzheimer's. The grandparent may forget how someone is related to them, may even forget the child's name, yet still retain loving memories of shared experiences that happened before Alzheimer's set in. The interesting thing is that when asked direct questions pertaining to the past, they can often tell really great stories that entertain the whole family.
The husband of one of my Alzheimer's patients proudly showed me a videorecording of an interview that his 10 year old granddaughter, Emily, did with his wife as part of a school project.
"How did you meet Grandpa?" Emily asked.
Grandma stared back at her, with a blank expression on her face and asked "Who's Grandpa?"
Grandpa, who was sitting next to her, gently patted her hand and jarred her memory by asking the question in a different way, "How did you meet Sam Johnson?"
"Ah....Sam.....my first and last love." Her eyes twinkled, and so did Grandpa's as she happily recalled the moment she walked into the drugstore 60 years ago and saw Sam working behind the lunch counter. "He was the tallest, most handsome boy I'd ever seen and it was love at first sight."
Her husband, now stooped with age, enthusiastically recalled that "She looked like a golden haired angel and it was love at first sight for me, too. It was snowing outside and she came in for a hot chocolate. I put extra whipped cream on top, hoping to make a good impression."
The interview continued for 15 minutes, creating a family heirloom that would always be treasured as a number of bittersweet memories were captured on film.
Alzheimer's Patients Can Share Hobbies With Kids
A person with Alzheimers is likely to retain a strong interest in hobbies they had in the past, and may still have the ability to do things such as knitting or building simple model cars. If the senior used to love drawing but no longer has the skills to do so, finger painting or coloring in a book with crayons might be easy enough for them to do. If the senior is still able to do the hobby independently, they can teach the child about it, transmitting valuable knowledge from one generation to the next.
Kids Bring Joy to Alzheimer's Patients
In summary, kids bring joy to the patient who has Alzheimer's and in the process of doing so, enrich their own lives. A wise parent encourages kids to connect with the afflicted senior through song, dance, art, hobbies and play. Modern technology can be used to create a lasting tribute to the person who has Alzheimer's and ensure they'll always be remembered with love and joy, even as their own ability to remember increasingly deteriorates.
Video on How to Connect With Alzheimer Patients
Alzheimer's Books and Items
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Alzheimer's Resources
- Alzheimer\'s Association
Alzheimer's Association - Alzheimer's Association - Alzheimer\'s: Helping children understand the disease - MayoClinic.com
Alzheimer's and kids Ease your child's fears and answer his or her questions.
Alzheimer's Poll
Do you have a close relative who is suffering from Alzheimer's?
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Yes, that's why we are nurses. I so enjoyed reading the nursing section of your profile cause I could see that after all these years, you're still caring and dedicated to your patients. I've been retired for a year now and loving the freedom to write and travel. Nursing had tremendous rewards but an equal amount of tremendous stress. I don't miss the stress, I do miss the patients, but I hope to touch people's lives through my writing. That's why Hub Pages seems so great to me. Thanks for the positive feedback.
What a truly great article! You will potentially be helping many people with this well written hub. Rating this useful and up!
Thanks Peggy,
Helping others is my intention so I hope you're right. Thanks for the encouragement. It really means alot to me.
I just sent you fan mail and then I saw this comment. Guess we're spreading a whole lot of Hub love today (smile).
Excellent Hub.
I've witnessed similar situations. A friend of mine has a relative who I believe is in the first stages of Alzheimer's. For some reason when a certain person who has a long history of friendship & long standing relationship stops by and talks about things they did in the past the response is more positive, the person has a sense of being more aware, completely different than when interacting with a stranger or just a mere aquiantence.
It seems obvious why this is but maybe you could lend your expertise on this.
Once again great Hub & Great Info!
Hi Alternative Prime, Thanks for providing feedback. You make a really interesting observation about your friend's relative. I suspect that the person who has a long friendship with the one who may have Alzheimer's is probably hitting on topics that reflect shared interests and both can easily recall things they did together long ago. Strangers are more likely to talk about current or recent events. If he hasn't done so already, your friend's relative should have a complete work-up by a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. There are other diseases that can cause memory problems, and even if the diagnosis is actually Alzheimer's there are medications that may help delay further memory problems. Hope that helps answer your question. It's great hearing from you again.
nice hubs, great ideas too. I voted you useful and beautiful.
Welcome Ladyjojo,
Thanks so much for stopping by and for the vote up. Glad you found it useful.
I was touched with this story. Nicely written. I gave it a "beautiful" comment. My mom passed away with alzheimers last year, and I'll always remember her at her best. RJ
Hi Reynold Jay,
Sorry to hear about your mom. Alzheimer's is such a heartbreaking disease and much harder I think, on the patient's family than the patient herself. It's good that you remember her at her best as I'm sure that's what she would have wanted.
Thanks for the positive feedback and for taking time to leave thoughtful comments.
HBNurse, I was thrilled to come upon this hub, this morning. This is interesting information, and confirms my own experience. My own grandmother was diagnosed with dementia before she passed away, fourteen years ago.
I was in my early twenties at the time, and tried to connect with her, by using music. My Mom, sister and I brought a hymnbook into the care centre, and we sang with her. My Grandma, who hardly knew us anyone, just came alive, and started singing with us. She remembered the words! And her face lit up with joy.
This hub gives me a lot of joy, thinking of our last times with her. I really believe that music, and play are so important in dealing with Alzheimer's patients. I am glad you wrote this, and hope that it is found online by families and caregivers looking for ways to connect with their family member or client. Take care, and bless you.
Prairieprincess: Thank you so much for augmenting this hub with your own heartwarming experience of emotionally connecting to your ailing grandmother through the use of a hymnbook at her care center. I'm glad you enjoyed this hub and that you have a happy memory of your Grandma that was forged after her diagnosis with Alzheimer's. It's wonderful that 3 generations of your family were able to connect in such a joyful way. Your story illustrates what Alzheimer's patients can, albeit inadvertently, teach us-that being truly present for each other and experiencing joy, in the moment, is a prescious gift in and of itself, regardless of whether it will be retained in memory.
If you haven't already done so, I hope you will write about that visit in a hub. I'm sure it would touch many readers and be an inspiration for those with relatives suffering from Alzheimer's to connect through music.
This is a wonderful Hub and will help a lot of people. Rated up!
Hi Kristine,
I know from the many interesting and creative hubs you've written about children that you have a great respect for their capacity to learn and be productive members of society.
In my years as a home care nurse I've also seen the many positive things that kids can do for people who have chronic illnesses and disabilities when they are taught how they can help and are encouraged to spend time with them.
Thank you for reading this hub and voting it up.
This is such an informative,interesting and loving hub.I am sure that so many people have been helped by the info here and for that reason I am voting it UP!
Welcome Debugs, and thank you for the lovely comment and vote up. You really made my day and I hope that this info has been helpful to many others.
Excellent hub, Gail. I followed it from your website. The video is just perfect. Great ideas she offers. And the children-what a great thought. I hadn't realized the connection between children and alzheimer pts. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Denise,
Most of the suggestions work best when the patient is in the early stages of Alzheimer's.
Great Hub, Happy.
It truly is amazing how a person with Alzheimer's, even late stage at times, can have a moment of clarity and recall something from waaaaay back. Although in the late stages, the story is usually short and to the point and then they quickly slip away again, but it's still amazing (as well as heartbreaking) to see the transformation and the brief joy on the patients husband's or wife's face when they recall a special moment from their past together.
Thank you for sharing your somewhat unique experience as a homecare nurse to teach us about the rarely discussed aspects of this devastating disease.
may peace be in your heart...always,
Diana
Hi Diana,
Yes, when those moments of clarity shine through they are very special, though still bittersweet. Did you ever read the book or see the movie "The Notebook?" It was the most poignant portrayal of a spouse trying desperately to break through to a moment of clarity with their beloved. Moved me to tears in a couple of scenes.
When I worked as a homecare nurse I really admired the caregivers because so much patience and understanding is needed to work with clients with Alzheimer's.
God Bless you in your work. It is a real calling when done with heart.
I work part time as a Caregiver to a lady who suffers from Alzheimer's and see others in the home who are even more advanced into the disease. It breaks my heart. At Christmas time many groups come to sing. The children always mean so much to the residents. Thanks for this reminder that children can be the best medicine. Hyph
Hi Hyph,
God bless you for the work you do and for your compassion. I thank you for reinforcing what I was trying to say. I firmly believe kids are the best medicine for those who suffer from Alzheimer's.
Thanks for taking time to leave a comment that contributes to the meaning of this hub.
This is so informative and a hub that everyone should read. Unfortunately each and every one of us is or will be touched by Alzheimers, whether a relative, friend or aquaintance. The value of children in many circumstances is so rarely realised. Photographs too are of huge value. People should have patience and need to share their love with sufferers. I think that we all have a part to play to help sufferers continue to enjoy life as best they can. I loved the YouTube too. A brilliant hub, voting up and pressing your buttons too.
Thanks so much for your lovely, insightful comment Acaetnna, it added wisdom to my hub. I agree with what you said about Alzheimer's touching each of us at some point in our lives and about the value of children in this situation. They bring unconditional love and have the ability brighten an otherwise dreary situation as they ground us in momentary joy. Thanks so much for your support and the vote up. It's greatly appreciated.
Simply beautiful.
Thanks Lisawilliamsj,
Ditto for your compassionate hub, Memories From the Eyes of an Alzheimer's Patient http://hubpages.com/hub/Alzhemerinfo
Thanks so much for sharing this information. I sincerely appreciate it. Several years ago, Mom's sister died with this disease, now she worries that she too is succumbing. I've followed your links for more information. Thanks again.
Hi Lenore,
So glad you found the hub and Alzheimer's Association link useful, but sorry to hear that your Aunt died from Alzheimer's. If your Mom feels like she's exhibiting some symptoms or family members have noticed changes they are concerned about it would be wise for her to have a medical evaluation.
Your hub is full of wisdom, and I love how you support with tender personal stories. I have been working with patient's with Alzheimer's dementia for at least five years. One of the challenges sometimes is motivation, and I could see how children would have a natural ability to help. Thanks for the ideas!
Welcome Dyhannah,
God bless you for the work you do with Alzheimer's patients. It's definitely a challenging job and there are long stretches where nothing much seems to brighten the day of an Alzheimer's patient. That's why it's such a special gift to them and to caregivers and family when a child's visit is able to brighten their day, if only for a few prescious moments.
Am so glad you found this hub useful. I can tell from your poetry that you are a very sensitive person.
Gail, you did an amazing job. This is a heart breaking disease. Both my grandma and grandpa had it at almost the same time. True story, papaw went to bed rest before he passed. This was 2 years after the disease hit home. This was days before he passed, I remember being in his room and seeing her come in. I was young, perhaps 11 or 12. I knew they didn't know anything. By this time, they were almmost lifeless. She walked in and looked at him. I could tell by the look she knew who he was. For that small moment, she knew. It is just terrible. Hopefully, we can find a cure some where down the line.
Hi Lyricwriter,
Thank you for sharing your poignant story about both your grandparents who suffered from Alzheimer's at the same time. I'm sure your recollection of your grandma recognizing your papaw for a moment shortly before his death is correct. Moments of occasional lucidity can occur at any stage of the disease and can indeed be bittersweet. Nancy Reagan has publicly stated that a few moments before her Ronnie passed away he opened his eyes and looked directly at her and she could tell that he recognized who she was. She felt it was a parting gift.
RNMSN Level 6 Commenter 19 months ago
hello happeyboomernurse how bout that we are both home health nurses that is too cool!!!
I loved this article/your writing is wonderful/flows so well and gives such insight into this heartrending disease/way to go!!!
I recall many Christmas' when the joy of giving to our home health patients was the best gift I received!!! well thats why we are nurses eh?