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Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’sActivities Ideas Center

Collage

What you need:

Sturdy paper (like construction paper) or cardboard (a box lid works well), household glue or rubber cement, found objects to use in collage: tissue paper, magazines to tear up, seeds or beans, dry pasta, ribbons, buttons or other sewing notions, plastic flowers, sequins, or whatever is handy

What to know:

• Almost any objects can be used to create collage -- it's basically interesting bits glued to paper.
• It's the process, not the finished object, that counts. For some people, looking for suitable materials can consume a lot of time and thought. Others will glue down whatever you set in front of them.
• Consider suggesting themed collages: "Let's make one that's all about food [or dogs or plants]."
• If manipulating a glue bottle is too complicated for your loved one, try pouring some glue into a dish or onto a scrap of paper, so that items can be dipped into the glue instead.
• Pitch creating collages as a chance to make gifts for others, as opposed to mere busywork. ("What do you think Allie likes? I think she likes knitting, so let's find pictures of sweaters and use yarn bits.")