Ensuring autonomy and fueling the cognitive functions of people with dementia is a pivotal requirement during the period of the COVID-19 crisis says Alzheimer’s Larissa, a member of the Panhellenic Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.
President of Alzheimer’s Larissa, Eleni Nifli, seeking the empowerment and the activation of a group of eleven people with dementia, maintained constant personal contact via telephone. She gave various ideas for activities and suggested that everyone choose what they want to do.
Konstantina, the youngest and most active of the group’s members, chose to deal with aromatic plants. One morning, she and her husband went to a nearby gardening centre. They bought basil, soil and purple pots. She planted the basil in 5 pots, took great care of them and when they had grown significantly, she took pictures of them. She then sent the photos to the other group members.
Group member, Roula, was inspired and decided to plant peppermint and parsley, while another member, Dina, planted louisa (lemon verbena). Other members of the group preferred to do puzzles.
On 9 June, after the end of the lockdown, Alzheimer's Larissa reopened and the group returned to its previous normal activities. To the surprise and pleasure of the group, Konstantina brought her basil pots with her, with the help of her husband. She said that during the lockdown she not only took care of the basil but also read about the history of the plant and learned that it is considered to be sacred and a symbol of Christian love. She kindly donated the basil pots to the President of Alzheimer’s Larissa and to the association’s volunteers, as a sign of gratitude for their constant interest and selfless contribution to people with dementia.
