As Alzheimer’s patients begin to progress more into the disease process they often times start to regress in their thinking. They may no longer see them selves at their current age, but at a younger more vibrant age at the height of their career. To help alleviate some of the anxiety a person may have try thinking out side the box and giving that person the tools that they may have used in their previous profession. Here are a couple of examples to get you started. Remember you don’t have to get the exact things that they used and you don’t have to spend a lot of money.
Profession included working with their hands- give them a box of wooden tools. Children’s plastic or wooden tools can be picked up at almost any large discount store.
Profession included drawing or drafting- give them a box of color pencils and blank (not ruled) paper.
Profession as a doctor/nurse- give them a box with children’s medical tools in it and if they were a doctor who made rounds in a hospital give them a clip board with a pad of paper and a pencil so they can write the results down.
Profession included money- give them a box with fake money, a calculator, and a ruled book and pencil. Most large discount stores now have play money that looks pretty close to the real thing.
Profession as a teacher- think lesson plans, grading papers, crayons, books, homework.
There are hundreds of professions one could have had. Think about what a typical day would have been for that profession and the tools they may have used to do it. Once you have your box together, it can be used in several different ways. Some Alzheimer's patients may enjoy just rummaging through the box, others may get up and start to act the part, and others may not show any recognition. In all cases, this is a good time to review with them the different pieces and to reminisce with them about what they may have used it for when they were in that profession.
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