Whether they are at home with you or in a senior memory care facility here in Kansas City, it’s important to remember that Valentine’s Day may have previously been your loved one’s favorite holiday, however, they may no longer understand it due to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. You can still make it a special day for them to enjoy with an easy craft like a Valentine’s Love Tree.

This simple craft can involve several areas of the brain, including memory, attention span and problem-solving capabilities. Creating a Valentine’s Day Tree can engage your loved one on all those levels and help you be in the moment with them, plus showcase everything — and everyone — your loved one holds close to their hearts.

Gather the supplies, play their favorite love songs while you work on it and talk to them about the things they love. This activity is easy to do at home or in your local, Kansas City area, senior memory care facility.

What you’ll need:

• A container like a vase or tall cup
• Tree branches
• Construction paper
• Magazines
• Crayons or markers
• Scissors
• Yarn or ribbon
• Glue stick

 Steps:

• Take a nice walk around the yard, neighborhood or in a local park. Look for tree branches that can make up the frame of your tree.
• Arrange the newly found branches in your container.
• Talk with your loved one about the things they love. Flip through magazines to find photos of these things – dogs, the ocean, flowers, favorite cars. Engage them in conversation about why they enjoy these things and why you enjoy them, too.
• Cut out the images. Printouts of family photos can also be cut. Trim the images into the shape of a heart.
• Cut your construction paper into hearts that will fit the photos you selected.
• Using the glue stick, add your photos to each construction paper heart. Cut some smaller white or pink hearts, so you can add the names of people that you love.
• Add a small hole to the top of each completed heart and string your ribbon or yarn through it for easy hanging.

Arrange your hearts on the tree and use it to decorate a shelf, dresser or as a centerpiece.

Special tips:

• Get your loved one involved by starting the activity yourself and asking them to join in.
• Be flexible and don’t criticize. Enjoy the activity even if the end result isn’t perfect.
• While doing the craft, play music they enjoy and engage them in conversation. Be in the moment.
• Activities have the best chance of success in the morning between breakfast and lunch when your loved one is well-rested. If they don’t want to participate or get frustrated, don’t force it. Try again at another time.

Remember you can volunteer your time this Valentine’s Day or if you need a senior memory care facility here in Kansas City for your loved one, Clover Care Home may be the right fit. Feel free to contact us at (913) 991-2605 with any questions or for more information.