What strategies do you use to help redirect your loved ones living with Alzheimer's disease?
I was a caregiver to both of my parents, with the Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis. It was very important to me, to respect my loved ones for where they were at.
My dad would often get stuck talking about the same topics from the past. It would frustrate me, to no end sometimes. So I started doing story time videos with him. When he would get stuck on a topic. I would ask simple questions about the topic he was stuck on, and I would record him.
My dad enjoyed doing our story time recordings. This helped him move past being stuck, and helped me learn more about him.
Questions for the community:
-What are some ways, you in the community use to help redirect your loved one's during a conversation or an activity?
-Would you please share a picture of your loved ones? I look forward to seeing your photos. I have attached a picture below of my mom (Joan) and my dad (Len). 
How very precious! None of my ideas are half as good! I wish I had recorded my mom when she could tell the stories. She can barely get a sentence out now. Blessings, Kathy M team member.
thanks for reaching out. It is difficult as our loved ones lose their abilities to verbalize. However, Kathy with both of my parents I learned that even though they could not communicate verbal, there were other activities that we communicated through. My dad it was music. My mom it was coloring. I have attached an article that I wrote about coloring being a vehicle and bridge into my mom's world, as her disease progressed.https://alzheimersdisease.net/living/coloring-through-progression. Kathy I know you mentioned in a previous post that your mom likes to bird watch. You could make photos of common birds that you see and she could pick them out as she sees them. After you see a bird she could maybe color or paint a premade picture of a bird.These are just a few ideas. The possibilities are endless though.
Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "AlzheimersDisease.net Team Member"
Going for a nice walk (shuffle sometimes) distracts my husband from worries and concerns he sometimes forgets while we enjoy the weather, the flowers, the neighbors and airplanes traveling across the skies
, diversion is a great tactic, and I'm glad you discovered it helps your husband with anxiety, It makes a nice, natural time to connect without the distractions of everyday life. Wishing you lots of nice weather (not too hot) to enjoy some exploration with your husband. - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)
In my 40 page bonus Tips for Caregivers I provide a personal experience of being sent to a nursing home for almost two years until on hospice I had a turn around and came home. I'm an 88 year old woman who had to retire as a speech language pathologist due to encroaching dementia ten years ago. I've written a memoir now on Amazon with over 200 5-star reviews DEMENTIA DENIED.from the perspective of someone who taught dementia and lived with it. It's not about a cure but a journey and hopefully enlightening.
, thank you for sharing! It is wonderful to have an inside view. And the bonus is such an interesting perspective - and would be helpful to caregivers in knowing how our care-partners feel receiving the care. - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)
