The Holly and The Ivy - Alzheimers and craftwork
Crafting is a great way of bringing people together to talk, sing and make traditional decorations
Exercise is good for the brain so collecting the craft materials outside gives an additional bonus
Dementia friendly outdoor spaces make this easy - see the examples here
The Holly and the Ivy is one of my favourite Christmas carols and it is lovely to hear it sung at this time of year. Much is spoken of the value of creative activities with people who are affected by dementia and what could be more fun at this time of year than collecting holly, ivy, conifer sprigs, and bits of evergreen garden shrubs to make a traditional Christmas wreath? If the shrubs have any berries, all the better. Talking about Christmas past and old customs is part of the fun of creation.
Fresh air and exercise is good
Research shows that exercise, especially going out in the fresh air, is good for people with dementia for a whole range of reasons. Exercise increases oxygen to the brain. It improves mood. It can create a natural fatigue that can lead to a better night’s sleep, especially if the exercise is out of doors in daylight, helping to adjust the body clock. The Dementia Services Development Trust worked with Paths for All on a Dementia Friendly Outdoor Spaces project that worked to maximise opportunities for people with dementia to get outside.
Collecting for crafts is a great excuse for a walk
So going out to collect the bits and pieces that you need for a wreath that can hang on the door up to Christmas and into the new year is a great excuse for a walk.
The Woodland Trust has a wealth of ideas for making wreaths on their website. And you can sing about the holly and ivy to your hearts content while having fun and creating a truly traditional decoration.
If you would like more information, you can buy my book Dementia, the One Stop Guide or Care Homes: When, Why and How to Choose a Care Home. I am available for consultancy for families or organisations. And if you have any further queries or questions, or suggestions for something you’d like to see me write on, please contact me via the Contact Page
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