At a recent Lady-Link visit, we decorated pumpkins to use as table centerpieces at some of our community’s events. We wanted the activity to be something our friend with Alzheimer’s dementia could be actively engaged in from start to finish. That left out carving pumpkins or using hot glue guns. Although those might have produced more glamorous centerpieces, our goal was not to produce a decoration worthy of being published in a house beautiful magazine but to include our friend in the entire creative arts process using skills she was capable of managing. We wanted her to be an active participant, not just a spectator.
We decided that using fall-themed stickers and pre-cut wire glitter ribbon to decorate the pumpkins would produce an attractive centerpiece and would be something our friend could manage. A quick trip to a craft store and to a pumpkin patch provided just what we needed.
We let each lady select which stickers she wanted on her pumpkin. Our friend was very particular about which ones she choose, looking at each one carefully and making a decision to use it or not. She watched us peel the backing off the stickers and begin placing them on our pumpkins. She had a little difficulty with the first sticker, so we peeled it back half-way to get it started and gave it back to her. She completed the process and her first sticker hit the target! She was delighted. We had to help her with peeling the next sticker, but after that she was able to do it herself. We talked about the colors and shapes of the stickers and what they looked like. Some were just abstract designs but others were leaves or acorns or pumpkin smiley faces. She picked up an acorn sticker and said, “This is a nut.” Then she looked at one of us with a big grin and said, “Are you a nut?” Of course we all laughed and said each of us was a little nutty at times! It is amazing that she has re-connected a link to her sense of humor, which had for all purposes been lost.
The pre-cut ribbon with wire along the edges made it easy for our friend to use in decorating the stem to add that final touch. She had not used stickers or wire ribbon in years, so it was delightful to see her successfully link to those once-forgotten motor skills to produce a decoration that was fun to make and visually appealing.
This activity triggered memories for our friend, inspiring bits of conversations about holidays, traditions, and family. We hope you will duplicate this activity with someone you care about who suffers from cognitive impairment. A child could do this with an aged grandparent and both could be blessed in the process. What ideas do you have?
Speak Your Mind