Through the Seasons

An Activity Book for Memory-Challenged Adults and Caregivers Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D., and Joan Beloff, ACC, ALA

Mental stimulation has been found to offer demonstrable benefits for people with Alzheimer disease, dementia, or other memory impairment. Through the Seasons helps family members and caregivers engage memory-challenged adults in simple, enjoyable activities that provide stimulation and enhance communication.

Fun and easy to use, this large-format color picture book is divided into themes representing the four seasons. Each section describes several multi-sensory experiences -- such as picking apples or raking leaves -- along with related topics for discussion and activities to elicit memories and encourage new positive associations. The topics and activities incorporate all five senses to facilitate connections and conversations across a wide range of cognitive function.

Designed by nationally recognized experts in gerontology, geriatrics, and memory enhancement, this workbook provides a scientifically sound, well-developed program that will help family caregivers and professionals maintain and enhance relationships with the persons in their care. It also helps memory-impaired individuals to retain dignity and remain active companions, even as their communication skills become increasingly limited.

What topics catch attention and what can you do with a well-selected topic?

Here’s one example from page 18:

(Image: A mouth-watering, crystal-clear, full-page picture of chocolate chip cookies. The picture alone will make you drool.)

LET’S TALK ABOUT:

• What’s your favorite kind of cookie?
• Did you ever bake cookies with children?
• Do you have favorite cookies for Christmas, Hannukah or Kwanza?
• Did you keep your cookies in a cookie jar?
• What’s your favorite kind of cookie?

LET’S TRY:

• Baking cookies from pre-made dough or from scratch.
• Using cookie cutters of different winter theme shapes to make cookies.
• Decorate them with white frosting and sugar sprinkles.
• Visiting a local bakery together.
• Wrapping cookies to give as gifts.
• Eating your fresh-baked cookies with a favorite drink.
• Making a cookie collage using pictures of cookies from magazines.
• Baking cookies from pre-made dough or from scratch.

Other topics include kites for Spring, apples for Fall, snow for Winter, and many more great ideas with excellent, "do-able" suggestions.

♥ Early

♥♥ Middle