• America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)

• America the Beautiful

• Battle Hymn of the Republic

• Caissons Go Rolling Along

• Marine’s Hymn

• Star-Spangled Banner, The

• When Johnny Comes Marching Home

• Yankee Doodle

• You’re a Grand Old Flag

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The lyrics to “America the Beautiful” started as a poem written by Katherine Lee Bates and published in 1895 that came to her as she stood at the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado. The song is often proposed as an alternative American national anthem due to its easier-to-sing melody and more positive, peaceful lyrics.

• Is this melody familiar to you?

• Are the words familiar?

• Did you find yourself humming along?

• How did it affect you? Did your awareness change? Your breath? Your focus? Your mood?

• Would you feel comfortable playing this in the background and allow yourself to hum or sing along? By yourself and/or with the one(s) you care for?

Along with the 4th of July holiday may come many expectations of what we “should do”. to celebrate. Our tip for this 4th of July holiday is to give yourself permission to plan for what works best for you, instead of feeling pressured to do “all the holiday things”. If you are providing care for your loved one this 4th of July, honor what would be good for you. Instead of trying to go see the fireworks, which might cause agitation and confusion, you could try one of these things:

• look through photo albums and reminisce

• listen to Patriotic music together and sing and/or reminisce about fireworks and parades

• pull out any patriotic decorations, paper plates or napkins you might have

• put on music (or a white noise machine) to drown out any fireworks sounds that might be distressful for the one you care for

• do 4th of July art or puzzles

If you are not spending the 4th of July holiday as a caregiver, then try to make your own plans, without feeling guilty. Give yourself permission to have fun or enjoy some much deserved rest!

Share how you decided to spend 4th of July at  [email protected] 

Print this 4th of July Puzzle and Answer Key

• The 4th of July can be challenging for those with dementia, due to changes in routines, loud noises, and large crowds

• Try sticking to routines as much as possible

• Give family or friends who have not seen their loved one in a while, some advanced notice of the changes they will see. This will help both the person with dementia and the family/friends

• Try to limit the number of people that will gather together, so as not to overwhelm the person with dementia

• Plan ahead and have a designated area where your loved one can retreat if they need a break from the festivities

• Have some quiet, enjoyable activities planned (4th of July themed games, art activities, singing, baking, etc) and try to avoid the loud noises of the fireworks

• Try watching the fireworks on tv, with a lowered volume as an alternative

• Here are the Alzheimer’s Association tips

Add these singalong videos to our singalong video this week:

• The tune for "The Star-Spangled Banner" was originally a British drinking song

• "Yankee Doodle" was initially used to mock American soldiers.

• "God Bless America" was written by Irving Berlin and was initially intended for a musical revue.

• "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" shares its melody with the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen".

• Katharine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics for “America the Beautiful” in 1893, and Samuel Ward composed the music in 1882. The two never met. 

• “The Marine’s Hymn” melody came from a French opera

If you have a fun Patriotic song story, let us know at [email protected]