Silverado Senior Living: How to Make Valentine's Day Sweet for the Memory-Impaired

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the date that we celebrate love nears, experts at Silverado Senior Living say time spent together and simple pleasures are ideal Valentine's Day gifts for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.  

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"For people whose memory is impaired, life is really about what is happening in the moment," said Anne Ellett, M.S.N., N.P., who is senior vice president of health services for Silverado Senior Living.  "This means that the best presents are those that give immediate joy from an emotional or sensory perspective."

For Valentine's Day, gift suggestions include:

• A box of sweet treats, whether candy, cookies, or fruit, 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 sweater or fleece blanket in Valentine's colors.  "Wearing or touching this soft material and seeing the bright colors 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:  "Listening 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 that it's Valentine's Day.

"Long-term memory and recollection of traditions are more enduring than short-term memory," she said.  "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."

Silverado Senior Living offers assisted living memory-care as well as home care, care management and hospice care through its Silverado At Home and Silverado Hospice service lines.  It is based in Irvine, Calif. and operates in 34 locations across California, Texas, Utah, and Arizona. Its website is www.Silveradosenior.com.

SOURCE Silverado Senior Living