Q: My father, who has Alzheimer’s, is in a nursing home 50 miles away from where I live. How can I be there for him?
A: The most important thing to keep in mind is that your father needs
quality visits from you, not
quantity.
If you can only visit once a month, for example, then plan your visit to do some activities with him. Bring old pictures from his past to talk about and help him remember the good times (Alzheimer's patients often remember the distant past better than they remember recent events.)
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Whatever his hobbies were in the past, bring memorabilia to him in some form. For example, if he loved to play football, bring a soft football for him to hold, watch part of a football game together, bring old pictures from his football days, etc. A
A visit does not need to be long and verbal the whole time. Quality is more important.
Deanna Lueckenotte is the author of "Alzheimer's Days Gone By: For Those Caring For Their Loved Ones." Read her full biography