Spring’s in the air…this is a great time to take loved one’s outside before the hot summer weather hits! The fresh air can often have a very positive effect on some Alzheimer’s patient especially if they liked to be outside as a child. With prompting the happy sensations they felt as a child may evoke a smile today. While outside with your loved one, think about all the five human senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch and relate your activities to these senses.
Try these activities for an inspirational day outdoors.
Plant a potted plant together
Sweep the leaves outside
Paint a wooden bird house
Have a cookout
Bird watch/ Butterfly
Good topics while outside include:
How they spent their summer as a child: climbing trees, gardening, wood working, bicycling, swimming, beach going, working on the farm
Sights: birds, butterflies, flowers, insects
Smells: grass, flowers, cookouts, animals
Sounds: birds, bees, lawn mowers,
Tastes: lemonade, hamburger, bar-b-que, family favorites
Touch: dirt, wind, paint, grass, leaves, flowers
If your loved one is unable to move easily or is unable to communicate the spring weather can still be very refreshing. Try opening the windows to let fresh air in. Remember, every Alzheimer’s case is different and every day is different so just because your loved one doesn’t want to go outside with you today doesn’t mean that they won’t want to go tomorrow. Have fun!
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