What activities can you share with your friend or relative who has Alzheimer’s? My mother, Bernice, had the disease for eight years. She went through many stages, and as she changed, so did her abilities. I was always looking for activities that would stimulate her but not overwhelm her.

I do have some suggestions that may help. Exercise might not seem like an obvious choice, but it is an option. Walking in a local park is perfect for fresh air and a new environment. I took my mother to Winterthur Museum in Delaware. We could walk together at first, and then when it became more difficult, we took the tram to a flat areas. My mother loved the children’s Enchanted Woods at Winterthur; it reminded her of a fairy tale garden she read about as a child.

Another wonderful activity was visiting the local library. We started in the adult section with both of us finding a book to read. When my mother could no longer read, I took over and read to her. We would go into the children’s section and find books. I would read to her and ask her to point at the picture and tell me what she saw.

When my mother went into an extended care home, I brought Mom some of the children’s books we had read. She enjoyed the familiar books and pictures.

If you have an activity you share with an Alzheimer’s friend or relative, please share it here. You can also click on “Contact Brenda” to leave a comment.