Has anyone seen this DVD? Would you recommend it? I saw a trailer & it sounded interesting...but it is rather expensive... here is a description: Initiatives that get people with Alzheimer's involved in art and creative workshops are producing remarkably posistive results. Dozen of day care centers, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are using drawing, painting and museum visits as effective therapies, making it possible to improve the quality of life and restore a dialogue between caregivers and families. Scientists have discovered that the parts of the brain related to emotions and creativity are largely spared by the disease. Today experts recognize the benefits of these new approaches that dramatically change the way we look at the disease. Including the Bonus Tracks: "Organizing an Outing", "Organizing a Creative Workshop", "The Importance of Physical Exercise", "Recreating Social Bonds", "The Hearthstone Method", "The Memory Gardens" and "Art and Care Until the Last Stages". This is an essential DVD for all people who have some relation with the disease, those who want to learn more about non-pharmacological possibilities for dealing with the disease, and institutions exploring methods for patients and residences.
I am parked in car on cell phone. can't write much now but I have info about museum trips my dh goes on w/ his ad group. will write when I get home. joang
After a particularly frustrating morning w/hb, conversation, understanding (ya'll know how it goes), I told our daughter about it and said I was surprised he could still play the piano as he can't remember one minute to the next--can't even recognize notes he's written to himself. She said she'd attended a workshop in music and brain development at a homeschool conference she attended. Participants were told about how and why music, particularly music you play yourself on an instrument, is incredibly good for the human brain, but the guy teaching the workshop said that few people who learn to play an instrument (and continue to play regularly) get alzheimers, and those who do tend to keep their ability to play music longer than any other skill.
So, do we add "learn a musical instrument" or paint a picture to a list of prevention activities, i.e. x-words, puzzles, etc.?
There is some excellent information on music therapy and Alzheimer's in this link: http://www.thealzheimerspouse.com/Conferencemusic.htm
As for museum visits - I admit that I poo-pooed the idea when it was suggested that one of the monthly trips for our AD husbands would be to an Oceanographic museum. I could not imagine that they would like it. They had a great time. They enjoyed the information and exhibits while they were there - yes, they forgot most of the details, but they found it fascinating and interesting in the moment. One of the guys was an astrophysicist (so much for keeping your brain active to prevent AD). Anyway, he couldn't remember how to get from his house to the gas station around the corner, but he remembered all his astrophysicist and science stuff. He worked for years in Oceanography, so he gave a better explanation of everything at the museum than the guide did.
Last week, they went to a train museum, and I haven't heard Sid so enthusiastic about anything in ages. All the guys loved it. It was a big warehouse filled with the old Lionel and whatever else trains - all set up with every bell and whistle, and all running.
Whatever they can do to keep busy and active is good for them.