Best ways to adapt a late stage dementia activity

As an Activities Director, interested staff member, or dementia caregiver this post and blog might be a place for you to visit everyday
Alzheimer's Activities Expert
By engaging those with late stage Alzheimer’s disease or other late stage dementias, is a bit more challenging. However it is critical. One thing you must remember reactions to an activity are subtle. You might see a smile on someone’s face. He/she might try to hold your hand or try to verbalize.Please watch closely for responses.By far the best type of activities focus on the........
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Writely Applied at Thanksgiving(dementia information blog)

This blog might be of interest to you as an Activities Director Today.com
I have to compliment Dr. Susan Berg at Dementia Today. She has been running a couple of post series at her site dedicated to dementia. The first was Top ways to enjoy Thanksgiving with those who have dementia (ten parts). The second has been Creativity and dementia which has covered a wide range of creative ideas to share with those close to you who suffer from dementia. This is such an important time for families and in many instances a difficult time to celebrate with those suffering from dementia. I want to bring Dr. Susan' Berg's work into the creative spotlight since her dedication to the topic of dementia should be commended. I hope all enjoy their time with friends and family this Thanksgiving, especially those dedicating a special amount of time to those in need. ........read the full article

Best of the best in long term care

We should strive for excellence

London House Care Center, Sonoma, Calif.
Winning entry submitted by Louise Merrick, CA, NHA, former administrator and Benjamin Larkey, JD, NHA current administrator
Editors note: Simple yet powerful, the judges felt London House Care Center's entry captured the essence of a winning team while exemplifying the six key criteria: initiative, adaptability, teamwork, innovative programming, recruitment/retention and knowledge.
INITIATIVE
Members of our long-term care team do not wait to be asked to perform a task; they just go out and do it. For example, our housekeeping supervisor answers call lights routinely and our admissions director can be seen making discharge arrangements when the social worker is out. Our business office manager patrols the dining rooms routinely and our social worker, of course, does the job of everyone else.
ADAPTABILITY
All members of our management team are adaptable and can function as an effective group, no matter who the leader is. We have no less than six members of our management team who can do admissions. Our medical records department takes on additional tasks without batting an eye. Our CNAs help with activities routinely and our housekeepers have been known to cook breakfast.
TEAMWORK
We are like a family.....read the whole article

Dancing away memory blues

Activities directors and caregivers, here is a little tidbit I thought you might be interested in

Enriching lives of persons with memory challenges.

By "memory blues" we include all sorts of memory challenges whether they are called "Alzheimer's" or some other related dementia or acquired brain injury. Others can worry about clinical niceties while here we focus on managing these challenges and enjoying life.By "dancing away" we include all sorts of activities which enrich lives of persons with these challenges.
.....read the whole thing

Activities with Adult Dementia Clients

Alzheimer's Disease Resource Agency of Alaska
1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage AK 99507 (907) 561-3313 or toll-free within Alaska
1-800-478-1080
www.alzalaska.org
Here some activities recommended bt the Alask Alzheimer's Association
GENERAL GUIDELINES• Avoiding "Empty Day Syndrome" helps behavior, "Sundowning," wandering• Select and modify activities according to client's ability level• Give both visual and verbal instruction (model the activity; explain slowly)• Tactile and muscular feedback work even better (manipulate client's limbs gently)• Use immediately pleasurable activities• Simplify or break activity into smaller..............read the whole thing

Helping Alzheimer's Patients with Meaningful Activities

Here is an interesting article, I ran into
Associated Content

By Sandra Webber,

Keep it Simple, Establish a Routine, and Consider Individual Interests
Often family, friends and caregivers of Alzheimer’s sufferers need help in choosing and involving patients in activities that can improve both the patient and the caregiver’s quality of life. Research shows activities structured individually to each person’s past interests can greatly reduce stress and improve the quality of life for family and caregivers. Frustration, agitation, depression and anger are some of the most bothersome symptoms exhibited by patients. Wandering, a common behavior in mid-stage and advanced Alzheimer’s also can be minimized by involvement in meaningful activities. Having a steady routine will also instill a sense of stability. In addition to the need for structure, routine and individualized activities, patients also need “no-fail” activities. Because of the loss of cognitive abilities failure becomes a too often occurrence in the patient’s everyday life. “No fail” activities boost self-esteem and give a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Activities will be most successful when.......read the whole article

A cute video in favor of activities

Activities directors and others who are interested, click below to see and share a video that shows the benefit of activities especially for those who are in rehab
Video

Diversional Therapy Activities

Here is some information that may interest you as an Activities Director
from Golden Carers

Activities for people with Dementia Finding meaningful activities for people with dementia can be a very challenging task. It will always depend upon the stage of the illness they have reached. The most important thing to remember is that activities should be related to the person's former life-style. The person's hobbies and travel experiences, family dynamics, social preferences, spiritual and cultural differences. It is also important to have regular assessment regarding strengths and limitations in the area of daily living. As this varies from person to person it is suggested that a 'Social & Spiritual' care plan be written for each individual. Below are some activities you may like to try.
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Activities for Dementia Patients

Here is an interesting post on Websphere about activities for those with dementia. Some of it is a repeat of the same old stuff, but there are a few good ideas

I believe activities are crucial to well-being. In the past ten years, research has shown that activities play a large part in preventing the progression of dementia. We also know that socializing prevents loneliness, despair and suicidal thoughts.
For several years I led recreational activities on weekends at a geri-psych hospital. The activities that took place on any particular weekend greatly depended on the patients in the unit at that time. All of the patients there had dementia and behavior disorders that precluded their being able to remain at home until the behavior had been extinguished. Most patients were on the unit between three to four weeks, while the doctors changed their drugs or the dosages. Some were more alert; others were more physically functional. Some returned home; others returned to a nursing home or entered a long-term care facility for the first time after discharge.
There are many activities that are appropriate for people with dementia. The only guideline is to not degrade them by having them do children’s activities. Instead, show your respect by engaging them in pastimes that are similar to children’s activities but suitable for an adult, retaining whatever qualities that make the activity fun. Here are some suggestions for caregivers who have a dementia patient at home....READ THE WHOLE POST

Another Activity Fact Sheet for Those wuth Dementia

North West Dementia Center

Activities are important to all of us. Everyon has an built in need to participate in activities. What we do makes us who we are. People with dementia are no exception. But dementia effects the ability to "do".....read the whole fact sheet

Meaningful Activities in Dementia Care

The Aged Care
accereditation.org
\

Activities are everything we do in our lives – from when we get up in the
morning until we go to bed at night. Even sleeping is an important
activity!
Activities of life include:
• occupation or role (this may be paid or unpaid)
• leisure – sport, hobbies, relaxation
• self-care – hygiene, personal care.
Balance is important
It is really important to get the balance between work, leisure and selfcare
right.
Different lives
Different people see different activities belonging to different parts of life..
For example cooking is for some people a leisure activity while for other
people it is work.
Consider this…
How would you feel if you:
• lost your job?
__________________________________________________________
• had a disability that prevented you from participating in your favourite
leisure pastime?
__________________________________________________________
• were unable to take a shower?
__________________________________________________________
• or…all three?
__________________________________________________________
How does activity
affect us?
We take for granted our ability to perform many and varied activities. But
imagine having those activities taken away from you - your life would be
very different and very difficult at times! Your sense of self-esteem would
be affected too.
Work Leisure Self-care
read and download this handy guide

Person Centered Dementia Activities

If you read yesterday's post, you know it discussed Montessori activities for those with Alzheimer's and related dementias.

Montessori activities are amazingly similar to "Person Centered Activities"

Read this by Joanne Kadley

What do you think?

Do you give your residents sugary drinks?

I am very health concious so I take extra care in provoding my residents with wholesome good tasting snacks.I know some residents like sugary snacks. However sugary snacks even though they may taste good are just empty calories and do not provide any nutritional value

click here for information on a study about sugart drinks and dementia

10 "Boredom Busters" for Frail Seniors

Whar do you think of this posted by Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
Awhile back, I used to make weekly visits to a friend in a nursing home. Her home was the basic “Medicaid Package” (many of the residents were low-income), not a horrible place, but simple, without frills like field-trips or a gym.
I'll always remember the image of rows of residents in wheelchairs lining the halls. Some were asleep, others staring into space. A few would smile as I walked by, reaching a hand up for a squeeze. So this is old age, I thought: sitting. I’d be lying if I didn’t say this gave me the creeps.
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Nursing homes of the future

Business Innovation Factory
Here is an interesting article about nursing homes of the future

The benefit of reminiscing with those who have dementia

The Benevolent Society, Reminiscing Manual version 1,
ABN 95 084 045

Here is an excerpt
The benefits of reminiscing
Someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia may only give you a small piece of themselves – all there is, and enough, at that moment. That small piece is precious and may become a strand or thread woven into your life as well. The fragments may,like the creation of a mosaic, gradually be pieced together and something new is created
SEE IT ALL

Intergenerational activities for those with Alzheimer's

Here is an interesting post about those with Alzheimer's,related dementias and kids, you might be interested in

Alzheimers Disease Revealed
It’s tough enough for kids to realize exactly what Alzheimer’s is, and what it does, and it’s even harder for them to stay involved with whomever it is that is afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Still, there are several activities out there that both kids and the Alzheimer’s patient can enjoy.

First of all, you must know what to look for in an activity. There are a few things each activity should include. To start with, they should compensate for any abilities that the person with Alzheimer’s may have lost. Second, any activity that is created must .....read the whole post

Ideas for getting something for your nursing home

In a post entitled LOW-COST PROMOTION & MARKETING IDEAS
amany ideas were suggested. One of them was offering a free product or service to a nursing home.
To read more, click here

A great activity:Preschoolers visiting your nursing home

Written by Nicola Kennedy

As with most holidays, school will use Grandparents Day as a special activity for the class. This can be especially true of preschool, where there is as much focus on social activity and every day life as there is on learning the functionalities of reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, with so many different holidays to plan activities and crafts for, you may be out of ideas for Grandparents Day. Have no fear; there is always something new and different to try.If your preschool has a high level of parental involvement, you may have your preschoolers create family trees. While these don’t have to be long and detailed, they can trace the immediate family and the grandparents. It can also be made creative, actually drawing a tree with branches that reach to each family member..