Your mom has good days and bad days. The bad days are starting to outweigh the good ones, and it’s breaking your heart. She doesn’t know who you or her Alzheimer’s care aides are most of the time, and that makes her fearful, anxious, and even angry. At this stage of the disease, she cannot handle large groups or more than a couple of visitors at a time. Her memory lapses are too great. That doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your family plans.
Mother’s Day is here, and it’s always been a time when the family gathers. How can you celebrate Mother’s Day when she doesn’t know who you are anymore and it’s just you and your siblings?
Cook Cherished Family Recipes Together
When you were younger, what did your mom make that always had you and your siblings excited to eat? Find her old recipes or see what you can find online that seems close. Team up and make those dishes. If your mom’s almond tarts with raspberry sauce were a hit, make those. She made spaghetti and meatballs that were the best you’ve ever had.
Everyone can come up with their favorites and purchase the ingredients. Cook them together and reminisce about the meals you’d had in the past. If you cover the different courses (appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert), you’ll have a fantastic sit-down meal together.
Package up any leftovers that are suitable for your mom. She’ll love having the treats, and some may spark memories that she talks about.
Get Together Photos and Make Memory Books
One of the best ways to honor her is by gathering for brunch or a potluck meal. Each branch of the family can establish its own memory book. When you visit your mom individually, bring the books and see if they’ll spark any memories with her.
Create a Garden With Her Favorites
Establish a flower garden that’s filled with your mom’s favorite flowers. As they grow, you can bring her fresh flowers each time you visit her. If you stick to perennials, they’ll return year after year, which gives you a memory garden to use in the future.
Be Honest About It Being Time for Alzheimer’s Care Aides
It may be time to leave your mom out of your family’s plans and focus on making new memories. She’s reached a point where she doesn’t always recognize you. Worse, she becomes fearful when a group of people she feels are strangers are around.
Be easier on her and yourselves and let an Alzheimer’s care aide help your mom while the rest of you have an enjoyable day out. Spend Mother’s Day making new memories and know your mom is in the capable hands of an Alzheimer’s care aide.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Alzheimer’s Care in Phoenix, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Resources at (602) 443-4700.
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