There are certain signs that summer is coming to an end in the Lehigh Valley. The days become a little shorter. Corn and tomatoes fill local farm stands. Families squeeze in one last picnic. And, of course, the Great Allentown Fair returns.
For generations of Lehigh Valley families, the Allentown Fair has been part of the rhythm of late summer. This year, the Fair runs September 2–7, once again bringing together agriculture, food, entertainment, music and familiar traditions at the Allentown Fairgrounds.
For families caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, traditions like these can offer something even more meaningful: an opportunity to connect with memories that may still be surprisingly vivid.
Why Old Traditions Can Feel So Familiar
One of the difficult realities of dementia is that recent memories may become harder to access. Your mother might not remember what she had for breakfast. Dad may ask the same question several times. Grandma may not remember that you visited yesterday.
And yet, mention something from decades ago and the response can be completely different.
“Did your parents take you to the Allentown Fair?”
Suddenly there may be a story.
Perhaps Dad remembers livestock barns, tractor displays or going to the demolition derby. Mom remembers walking through the exhibits with her sisters. Grandma remembers the smell of funnel cake or waiting in line for a ride as a teenager.
Long-term memories can sometimes remain accessible even when short-term memory is declining. That makes familiar Lehigh Valley places, foods, music and traditions wonderful conversation starters.
You Don’t Have to Go to the Fair to Enjoy the Memories
Taking someone living with dementia to a large event isn’t always practical. Crowds, unfamiliar surroundings, noise, heat and changes in routine can sometimes become overwhelming.
Fortunately, reminiscing doesn’t require recreating the entire experience.
Bring the Fair to your loved one.
Look through old photographs of the Allentown Fair. Find pictures of Ferris wheels, farm animals or antique tractors. Talk about favorite fair foods. Play music from the years when your parent or grandparent was young.
Instead of testing memory by asking, “Do you remember going to the Fair?” try gentler conversation starters:
“What did you like to eat at the Fair?”
“Did you ever ride the Ferris wheel?”
“Were there animals on your family’s farm?”
“What kind of car did you drive when you were young?”
“Did you take your children to the Fair?”
The goal isn’t getting the correct answer. It’s creating a moment of connection.
Let the Senses Do Some of the Work
Memories aren’t stored only as facts. They can be connected to sounds, smells, tastes and feelings.
Think about the sensory experiences associated with late summer in the Lehigh Valley: fresh corn on the cob, tomatoes from the garden, apple pie, grilled hamburgers, marching-band music, crickets in the evening and the smell of freshly cut grass.
Something as simple as sharing an ice cream cone or slicing a fresh peach can become an opportunity for conversation.
Music can be especially powerful. This year’s Allentown Fair even opens with The Four Tops performing with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra — music that may be familiar to many older adults.
Put on a favorite song and don’t worry about whether your loved one remembers the artist’s name. Tap your foot. Sing along. Hold hands.
Sometimes connection happens without conversation.
Labor Day Can Be About Family, Not the Calendar
Labor Day weekend also provides an opportunity for families to spend time together.
If you’re visiting a loved one living with dementia, don’t feel pressure to create an elaborate activity. A successful visit doesn’t have to involve going somewhere special.
Bring photographs. Share a favorite dessert. Sit outside together. Listen to music. Invite grandchildren to color pictures nearby. Look through an old photo album.
Most importantly, meet your loved one where they are that day.
A person living with dementia may forget the details of a visit, but that doesn’t mean the visit was meaningless. The feeling created by companionship, laughter, reassurance and affection can matter long after the specifics of the afternoon have faded.
September Is Also a Good Time for Caregivers to Seek Support
As summer ends and routines change, family caregivers may also realize just how demanding caregiving has become.
The Lehigh Valley has resources available for families navigating Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. For example, a free Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Retreat is being offered this fall through Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Fleming Memory Center and Dementia Friendly Lehigh Valley, with topics including home safety, transitions of care and other challenges facing caregivers.
There are also local opportunities for connection, including the Morningstar Memory Cafe in Bethlehem, which provides a welcoming environment for people living with dementia and their care partners.
Seeking information or support doesn’t mean a family has failed. Dementia changes over time, and the support that worked six months ago may not be what a loved one needs today.
Holding Onto What Matters
At South Mountain Memory Care in Emmaus, we understand that memory loss doesn’t erase a person’s history, personality or need for meaningful connection.
The places and traditions of the Lehigh Valley — from the Allentown Fair to backyard Labor Day picnics — can become bridges to stories, feelings and moments that still matter.
So this Labor Day weekend, try asking Mom about the Fair.
Play Dad’s favorite song.
Bring Grandma a little something sweet.
And if the story she tells isn’t exactly the way you remember it, that’s okay.
You aren’t giving a memory test.
You’re spending time with someone you love.
If your family is beginning to explore memory care or wondering whether your loved one’s needs have changed, South Mountain Memory Care in Emmaus welcomes you to learn more about our specialized, home-like approach to caring for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
