How do I make a memory board for Alzheimer's patients

Hello Corina,

Getting Agitated in the evenings has something to do with lower natural light levels and is a known feature. It might be an idea to give her a book she can flick through (plastic flip file) which could be changed or added to as required. Start with pictures of her parents and siblings. Home/ School, Holidays etc. and build to the current day eg: Cousins, Work or hobbies, Boyfriend/husband, Wedding photos, Parties, Children, Family photo's. Build it so she has her life in the book "This is Your Life" might be a good title for it! Add to it as often as you can, keeping her up to date on what is happening in the family. Best wishes to You and Mum.....

Hi, Corina,

Can your Mother recognize people and objects from pictures? As the condition progresses, she may lose the ability to associate a 2 dimensional picture with a 3 dimensional person/object. This is why televisions are often a waste in many advanced Alzheimer's cases. Your Mother may also see an item, but verbalize it as something far different. This can also affect her reading accuracy, if you choose to label photos.

Her distant memory may be much more accurate than that for recent events/people, so you may have to determine whether photos of these past events will comfort her or add to her agitation. Make the photos sufficiently large for her visual needs. Swatches of fabric from old dresses/household items may bring back memories and elicit conversation. Saved cuttings of hair from her children may be helpful, or make her sad. Photos from your childhood/family events may please her or frustrate her.

Is your Mom agaitated in the evening due to changes in her routine, medications, lighting, noises, roomates/caregivers? You'll need to have the answers to these questions before proceeding with your board. You may find that a DVD may be more helpful, if that's an option, keeping in mind that videos of rapidly changing scenes tend to irritate some people because they cannot rapidly process what they are viewing. What music does she enjoy? Did she enjoy being outdoors, certain neighbors/friends, sewing, Church activities?

Physical activity is important and should be encouraged as much as possible. Some facilities strung lower level clotheslines upon which supervised patients could hang dish towels, pillowcases, etc., of importance to them.

You need to evaluate a number of issues here before proceeding, to be most effective.

I’m not sure about a board but my mil enjoys jigsaw puzzles and g th year are good for Alzheimer’s patients. I also did a French board with pictures of her family over the years. It’s really tough since we can’t visit. We are supposed to be able to do a 20 minute visit soon, two people at a time. It’s a horrible disease and Covid has made it worse

You could always give her pictures and ask her if she could help you organize them and/or put them in a photo album. It might keep her busy and might make her happy to see faces she loves... even if she can't always remember. We went through this with my Great Grandma a couple years ago so I know how difficult it can be.

There are lots of busy board ideas here:

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=busy%20board

Corina: this may be a good source of ideas

https://www.pinterest.com/glimes/memory-board-ideas-for-care-of-loved-ones-with-dem/

Alzheimer websites could give you ideas.

Is she agitated because she's bored or doesn't know where she is or what is going on? Do you want the board to have activities on it, or just pictures of family to help her remember who everyone is?? Is there a topic she enjoys talking about that you could make a collage of pictures of that thing that she would enjoy looking at?

I got a old timers clock for my dad. It displays the date, day of the week and even period of the day (like pre dawn ). It is very settling to have all current info at hand. I know I even forget what day of the week it is sometimes.

https://www.amazon.com/alzheimers-clock/s?k=alzheimers+clock

We also use led night lights to make sure the way to the restroom is lighted. Found it helpful to put a night light in the bathroom too.

A memory board should be kept rather simple so as not to cause agitation. As one who has dealt with this problem in our family it's imperative to learn as much as you can about the disease. There are often times of great memory recall and others where this isn't the case. I think the clock suggessted earlier is a wonderul idea. In addition to a memory in pictures, a few simple sayings included might be comforting (e.g. YOU ARE LOVED,). We learned early on it is better to not correct the statements made and be patient if your loved one keeps asking the same questions multiple times.

There is good information here:

https://best-alzheimers-products.com/making-a-memory-book.html

I hope it helps. Best wishes.

Get a oak tag paper or a card board and add your pictures and stuff to the board

Use cardboard or oak tag or a dry erase board put pictures of her her children grandkids songs she likes pictures of animals holidays

Hi Corina, take a look at this board and you can get some great ideas!

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1098651657/end-alzheimers-disease-dementia-comfort?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_ca_en_ca_a-toys_and_games-toys-learning_and_school&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQiAtOmsBhCnARIsAGPa5ybHOawt4-0JG-jPKYkNYxKSPF1SHnsoWrjnsDvjZEbN7Z2xNplXEBAaAs0oEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_318287805_19444338885_75295122525_aud-2080357863802:pla-106551513395_c__1098651657enca_575033296&utm_custom2=318287805&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtOmsBhCnARIsAGPa5ybHOawt4-0JG-jPKYkNYxKSPF1SHnsoWrjnsDvjZEbN7Z2xNplXEBAaAs0oEALw_wcB

https://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers-disease/how-to-make-your-own-busy-board-for-someone-with-alzheimers-disease/