A "Stitch" of Memory

Planning an activity is not always easy. There are many things one must consider before moving forward. If you want someone with alzheimers to paint, you have to make sure you provide them with non-toxic, washable paint. I have witnessed clients who spill the paint all over the clothes they wear everyday or lick the paint from their fingers. To prevent harm, there are safety measures we take and staff has to be very careful in watching over our clients.

One of the activities at our center was to have our clients sew drawstring purses. Our first concern was needles. The sharp, prickly tools can be dangerous for those who are vision-impaired or have shaky hands. When choosing a group, we picked a small group (about 5-6) and made sure they were suitable for the task. Instead of using the regular needles, we had special needles that were thicker, and less sharp, but still got the job done. The threading was done by staff and if needed, staff also cut the cloth for the purse.

What you want to do with this activity is to cut out two pieces of clothe that are the same size. -Have the clients sew 3 of the sides, leaving one side for the opening.
-Next, fold the opening side down a little.
-Later, pick a thick yarn and cut it so it is longer than the width of the purse.
-Last, sew the yarn inside the folded side. Leave room for the yard to pull in and out.

During this activity, I learn many things about my clients. One recalled that you had done this before because she was a dressmaker. Another said she used to make hats. The memory that was generated created a positive atmosphere. They remember the times when they were working, and creating things on their own. This shows that activities is not just about following directions. It is also about being productive and just know that some memory loss does not mean loss of all memory and ability to have fun.