Valentine’s Day is a special time of year for all to celebrate the power that love has in bringing people together. Experts at Silverado Senior Living believe that time spent together and simple pleasures are ideal gifts for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
“For people whose memory is impaired, life is really about what is happening in the moment… This means that the best presents are those that give immediate joy from an emotional or sensory perspective,” explains Anne Ellett, M.S.N., N.P., who serves as Senior Vice President of Health Services.
For Valentine’s Day, gift suggestions include:
- A box of sweet treats large enough that your loved one can share it with others. “Being able to give something to other people and make them smile reinforces self-esteem for the memory-impaired. This is very important, because they can easily lose their sense of worth, which leads to depression.”
- A soft new sweater or fleece blanket in Valentine’s colors. “Wearing or touching this soft material and seeing the bright red or pink hues provide instantaneous pleasure,” Ellett said.
- Looking through old photos. “A reminiscing session about great days in the past with those they love is very rewarding. If you are celebrating with your spouse, you may wish to leaf through pictures of your wedding and honeymoon. With a parent, you could look at photos of special moments with the whole family.”
- Sharing favorite music: “Sitting together to listen to musical favorites from the past is a wonderful way to share time and memories. If spouses have a piece of music they have always considered ‘their song,’ enjoying it on Valentine’s Day will make the celebration very special.”
Ellett notes that memory-impairment does not prevent people from knowing its Valentine’s Day.
“Long-term memory and recollection of traditions are more enduring than short-term memory,” she said. “Decorations of hearts and flowers, the colors red, pink and white, and other cues help them understand that Valentine’s Day is here once again. Letting them know they are loved is very important.”
