Originally posted by Karen

Hug his Dad, even when people don't remember who you are, often human contact is most welcome. Bring him some gift - flowers or something to sit on his dresser that will stay after you are gone, so every day, if he asks his caretakers "What is that?" they can say "Your son, Terry, brought you that when he visited."
Karen has given some excellent suggestions! Although I don't have any family members who are suffering with Alzheimers, I do have a mom who is 94 and living at a convalescent center and I have spent considerable time over the last two years visiting her in this type setting and witnessed many Alzheimers sufferers there.

My father-in-law suffered a stroke about 8 years ago and has not been the same ever since. My mother-in-law goes out of her way to decorate his room with lots of pictures and things that might help him to remember his past life before the stroke. As with him and also Alzheimers patients, there are definitely some times of extreme lucidness and these things can hopefully help to bring back happier times if only momentarily. I would suggest that you maybe plan to take along a collection of photos to be displayed in his room or objects that may rekindle a warm memory. (((hugs)))