Have a Loved One with Alzheimer’s? 4 Tips for Spending Quality Time Together
A simple phone call or Sunday afternoon visit may not be so simple if your family member or loved one has Alzheimer’s. The normal rules don’t always apply when you’re faced with everything from memory loss to agitation, depression and confusion. But you still want to spend quality time with those who count most. We’ve uncovered five tips to help you connect even in the face of Alzheimer’s.
- Focus on Your Own Emotions
You don’t have any control over the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia on your loved one. But you do have the ability to regulate your own emotions. Before you head out for a visit, take a few minutes to focus on cultivating a calm demeanor and positive emotions. Try meditating for five minutes or listening to calming music in the car before you head inside. People with Alzheimer’s pick up on your emotions and body language, so staying calm can help set the tone for the whole visit. Remind yourself that any “difficult” behavior from your loved one is a symptom of the disease.
- Embrace Structure and Schedules
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “structured and pleasant activities can often reduce agitation and improve mood.” If you provide Alzheimer’s caregiver support by taking care of your aunt or mom every Saturday, you might make these visits more enjoyable by creating a schedule. List out meals, personal care tasks and simple activities—watching birds in the backyard or visiting a neighborhood bakery for a treat. Try listing everything out and assigning a timeframe to each activity. Try the Time Timer® MOD + Dry Erase Board to make your schedule then track each activity with the visual timer. It will help you both keep track of what’s next.
- Create a Calm Environment
We’re all influenced by our environment, but it can have an especially big impact on someone with Alzheimer’s. Distractions make it hard to focus on your time together, and they may even increase confusion or irritability. Depending on the stage of the disease, you may want to avoid crowded stores or even big, loud family events. Instead focus on one-on-one time or small group visits. Then be sure to switch off the TV, close the windows if it’s loud outside and eliminate any other distractions you can. This gives you both the chance to focus on each other—even if that’s just sitting together and enjoying the quiet.
- Tap into Life-Long Interests
Look for ways to help your loved one connect with the things he or she always loved. If your mom was the best baker on the block, ask her to help you frost some cupcakes or watch a cooking show together. Listening to the person’s favorite music may be another great way to have fun—even singing along and clapping. Nature lovers might enjoy a walk through the park or just sitting on a quiet bench under some trees. Try to fit the activity to the person’s current abilities and keep activities to relatively short time periods.
How Do New Moms Get Anything Done?
No matter how many books you read or how much advice you get from your mom and friends, nothing can prepare you for the life that comes after the birth of your first child. However, with a little bit of organization, those few first months do not necessarily have to be so harsh on new moms. Whether you’re a working mom or not, your schedule affects the well-being of both you and your child.
Life is Here
We asked our intern, Calvin, to write something about his friends and family for our blog, to help us celebrate our Friends & Family month. He came back with a personal story that truly illustrates our “Make Every Moment Count” motto. His story not only encompasses the true meaning behind our tagline, but he also acknowledges the value that we can gain from our aging friends and family.
Behind the Scenes at SCPA: Matilda, Time Timer and Arts Education
SCPA is a K-12 arts school with 1,400 kids nestled in downtown Cincinnati. Students in fourth grade and up focus on one of seven disciplines: Creative writing, visual arts, drama, dance, vocal music, instrumental music and technical theatre. These artistic pursuits happen on top of all the normal course work.
The Inclusive Classroom: 4 Strategies for Helping Students with ADHD
You might have one or two students in your class with ADHD. They’re likely bright and awesome, but they probably also face some challenges—leaving their seat often or struggling to finish homework. To help you create a truly inclusive classroom, we’ve found 4 strategies that just might help all your students.
Why It's Good to Study for Exams the Night Before the Big Day
Students know the feeling all too well – you’ve spent all day in class, working on projects and homework in the evening and then you realize – you have that big exam tomorrow! Indeed, remembering that all-important exam at the last minute can lead to a lot of stress and not to mention cramming. However, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way.
October is ADHD Awareness Month
October is ADHD Awareness Month. Here at Time Timer, we’re sharing facts, tips, tools, and insights along with weekly giveaways all month long. To kick things off, we have compiled five great resources to learn more about ADHD and tools to help.
What Teachers Really Want to Say on Parent Information Night
Ever wonder what the teachers really want to say to parents on Parent Information Night? The Fifth Grade Teachers are Mariemont Elementary School near Cincinnati, Ohio, presented one of our own with this letter, telling us what they really wanted to say on their Parent Information Night. We thought it would be worth sharing as it rings true for teachers all over this country, and the world. And we hope that it gives you, as a parent, teacher, or student, some inspiration to make this school year the best that it can be!
4 Kindness Activities for Kids and Parents
Teaching kindness probably ranks high on your list of parenting goals. But it’s an easy thing to lose sight of in the day-to-day hustle of school, work, dinner and homework. We found four kindness activities for kids and parents to help you keep kindness at the center of your family’s busy life.
Time Management as a First Year College Student
Shortly before I left for my first year of college, I was given a present and a note from some family friends. They wished me well, and sent me off with a nice towel. The eldest son, in college himself, wrote me a blunt farewell: “In college, you can do whatever you want.” I laughed when I read it. The crazy part is, he was totally right.
The Japanese Holiday that Celebrates Grandparents
September is a great month for grandparents! In the United States, Grandparents Day is Sunday September 8, but in Japan, the celebration is even bigger. There’s a national holiday to celebrate all elderly people called Respect for the Aged Day. It takes place the third Monday of every September and offers plenty of inspiration for honoring grandparents.
A Creative Tool Every Special Education Class Needs
You could spend an endless amount of time reading up on special education teaching strategies. But what if one creative tool could give your special education class a boost? A Time Timer visual timer—or three—might be just what you need. One special ed teacher told us exactly how timers support her teaching methods.