Gardening projects for People with Alzheimer's Disease
- ChrisM_15
- Diana_Pederson
- Wen
- Bonsai
- biogardener
This archived discussion is "read only".
For the corresponding "live" discussions, post in the active topic forum here.
» Diana_Pederson - That's a toughie because these people often do not remember what
That's a toughie because these people often do not remember what they need to do.How about giving each person a planter. Then color code their calendar in such a way that when this color appears, that means water your plants?
I'll think more on this and maybe some others will jump in here too with suggestions.
Diana Pederson
-- posted by Diana_Pederson
» Wen - I would like to suggest contacting the Chase Nursing Home in New
I would like to suggest contacting the Chase Nursing Home in New Berlin, NY. My grandmother, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimers, spent many years there before she passed away. They have the most incredible nursing home that I have ever had the opportunity to visit. They developed a program called the "Eden Alternative" which creates a wholesome and "homey" enironment for their patients. They have several dogs (including a greyhound!) and many cats which roam freely for the enjoyment of their patients. They have many rabbits and hundreds of birds, many of which are located in cages in the actual rooms of the patients. They also have pre-schoolers come in every morning from a day care center (which both the patients and the children love!) to play games and sing with the patients.The specific reason that I mention them is that they also have a gardening program. They have the patients tend the plants inside the building, of which there are many. But they also grow many vegetables and other plants outdoors in raised beds for the residents to take care of. Even those in wheel chairs get involved with the process. The gardens have wide paved "walk" ways that make it easy for them to maneuver around. I know that they use many gardening projects and tools designed for children, and since usually there are children helping with the project, it works out great. The projects are not too difficult or frustrating and they get out in the sunshine and dirt. They love it.
The Eden Alternative/Chase Memorial Nursing Home has appeared on television programs, in the Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. The doctor that developed the program at Chase (Dr. Thomas) has actually left to pursue developing and distributing the Eden Alternative methodology.
You could also try contacting him directly.
Their website is : http://www.edenalt.com/
You can also contact them by:
Telephone: 607-674-5232
Fax:
607-674-6723
Post:
The Eden Alternative
742 Turnpike Road
Sherburne, NY 13460
Desserts Editor
-- posted by Wen
» biogardener - Alzheimer Gardening
It depends on how long the person has been gardening. My mother gardened all her life, and she continued to do so very capably even though she was no longer able to cook or clean. She also continued to do very fine sewing by hand for me, if I got everything ready for her. She had been a seamstress, so that was an old skill to her.Skills which are more recently acquired are easily forgotten by Alzheimer people, but the skills acquired in childhood remain.
-- posted by biogardener
Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion.