Dementia friendship visit

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care professionals to get an easyceu or two

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition]

Tips for making the most of your friendship visit

visit

• Be relaxed, be yourself and avoid forced cheerfulness. 

• Have a flexible attitude – things may not go to plan. 

• Accept that you may have to initiate conversation and things to do. 

• Take something with you to share.

• Establish a visiting routine: say hello and introduce yourself.

 • As you leave ask if you may visit again, smile and wave. 

• Don’t rush things. Your friend may need time to register who you are and why you are there. 

• Remember that silence is not necessarily a negative thing. 

• Choose a quiet, familiar location and introduce one thing at a time. 

• If possible, and desirable, visit with some regularity, even for a brief time. 

• While your last visit may not be remembered, it was enjoyed at the time. 

• Be kind to yourself; it’s possible some visits may leave you feeling sad. 

For more information go to  dementia friendship

Dementia and friendship

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care professionals to get an easyceu or two

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition]

PubMed

 Friendships are an integral part of the human experience. Yet, dementia often takes a toll on social relationships, and many friends withdraw. This research, however, focuses on friendships that remain, despite a diagnosis of dementia. It examines the quality of the friendships of people with dementia and long-term friendships. Data were collected through focus group interviews with people with early stage dementia and their care partners, and through interviews with designated friends. The findings show that people with dementia do have friends that remain and they have a wide variety of friendships, from those based on one shared activity to those of multifaceted deep relationships. The long-term friendships, which last across the various stages of dementia, appear to fall into two types: one, where the person with dementia has become more like a family member than a friend (suffusion); and the other where the diagnosis of dementia was the impetus for the relationship to become closer (progressive friendship).

Alzheimer's Therapeutic Activities

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition

Alzorginfo.com

How can therapeutic activities help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer's?

Planning structured, individualized activities that involve and interest the person with Alzheimer's may reduce many of the more disturbing behavioral symptoms of AD, such as agitation, anger, frustration, depression, wandering or rummaging. Health professionals who work with Alzheimer's patients say therapeutic activities should focus on the person's previous interests, cue the person to old and recent memories and take advantage of the person's remaining skills while minimizing the impact of skills that may be compromised.

What kinds of therapeutic activities are best?

Successful activities support a person's sense of self - bringing out their skills, memories and habits - and reinforce the person's sense of being in a group, which can provide friendship, mutual support and spiritual connectedness.

Any number of activities may be beneficial depending on the individual, and different activities may affect certain symptoms but not others. (For example, music therapy may improve eating in some people but not others.) Any former hobby or interest of the person is a candidate, from gardening, cooking, painting and drawing, to singing, playing musical instruments or listening to music, etc. Routine is essential: Activities that are done regularly, perhaps even at the same time every day if possible, may help establish routine and increase the person's sense of stability.

Some of the therapeutic activities that have been shown in rigorous research studies to reduce certain problem behaviors in people with Alzheimer's are:

•playing music of the person's choosing;
•one-on-one interaction;
•playing videotapes of family members;
•walking and light exercise;
•pet therapy.
Several programs that combine various therapeutic activities have also shown favorable results in people with Alzheimer's. These include a multifaceted program of music, exercise, crafts and relaxation, and structured sessions combining meditation, relaxation, sensory awareness and guided imagery, so-called mind-over-body techniques designed to calm and soothe.

Where can I learn more about beneficial activities?
Your doctor, nursing staff or social worker should be able to help you determine what types of activities might be best and direct you to community resources that can help. Medical centers or healthcare service providers that serve Alzheimer's patients, such as adult care centers or home healthcare networks, may sponsor programs or know about programs in your area.

A baby brings much comfort to those with dementia. All people are hard wired to love babies. It is almost instinctive.

What else can you offer a lower functioning late stage dementia person?

As I stated before taping into the senses of these dementia persons seem to work well. We talked about visually stimulating activities.

Actually a sensory activity should tap into all a person's senses. You should individualize the activity by focusing on a person's strongest sense. If you are doing this in a group, you will have to change the emphasis for each person. It is almost like doing one to one encounters within a group. This is fine. You can have certain parts of the group that touch everyone and tie everything together.

More ideas soon

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Easy kindness ideas

Activities directors and other healthcare professionals here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care professionals to get an easyceu or two

Smile at 5 people

Sing a song
Show people pictures of happy babies Try these Adorable Photographs

Compliment 5 people

Tell a joke

Hold a person’s hand

Dictate a friendly message

Shake a maraca

Say hip hip horray for a person

Say 2 kind words

Be patient

Sannwich fillings

Activities directors and other healthcare professionals here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals, 

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be


Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care professionals to get an easyceu or two

Common and not so common sandwich fillings:
Avocado
Bacon
Banana
Beef
Bologna
Cabbage
Carrots
Chicken
Cheese
Doritos
Egg
Fish sticks
Fluff
Ham
Italian sausage patty
Jalapeño peppers
Jelly
Ketchup
Lettuce
Macaroni and cheese
Mayonaise
Mustard
Noodles
Onion rings
Onions
Peanut butter
Pepperoni
Pickle relish
Pickles
Queso blanco dip
Ramen noodles
Sour cream
Sourkraut
Spinach
Tarter sauce
Tofu
Tomatoes
Tuna
Turkey
Turkey burger
Usingers bratwurst
Veal Parmesan
Xylocarp (coconut)
Yams
Zucchini

Activities directors and other healthcare professionals here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals, 

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care professionals to get an easyceu or two


kidwhiz

History of the Sandwich

Whether it’s a PB&J at a picnic or a foot long sub for supper, sandwiches are a simple, savoury (and portable) option for any meal of the day. But do you know how they were invented? Delve between the bread slices to find out the story of this delicious dish!

History of the Sandwich

The Sandwiches That Started It All

The first recorded mention of a sandwich-like meal dates all the way back to the 1^st Century B.C. Ancient Jewish Rabbi Hillel the Elder is reported to have started the Passover tradition of putting lamb, mixed nuts and herbs between two pieces of matzo (unleavened bread).

In the Middle Ages people would use thick slices of stale bread, called “trenchers”, as plates for meats and vegetables, creating an open-faced sandwich, but the bread was sometimes too stale to eat and was often fed to dogs and farm animals.

In the 17th Century taverns in the Netherlands started to serve something that looks a lot more like the sandwiches we eat today. They would hang cured beef from the ceilings of the taverns that would be sliced and paired with bread and butter for customers.

Club Sandwich: a triple-decker toasted turkey, tomato and lettuce sandwich

The Earl of Sandwich

Slowly the sandwich started appearing not just in Dutch taverns, but also among aristocrats as a late-night meal. The sandwich got its name from 18^th Century English nobleman John Montague, the 4^th Earl of Sandwich, who regularly ordered meat between two pieces of bread. The story goes that he liked this meal so much because he could eat his meat and continue to play cards without getting his hands messy with grease. Soon people started ordering “the same as Sandwich”, and the name has stuck ever since! Even though he is not the inventor of sandwiches, Sandwich is the name that has gone down in history.

By the 19^th Century the sandwich had become popular all over Europe, especially in England because of the industrial revolution. People needed easy-to-make,easy-to-carry lunches that would fill them up for a long day of work at the office or doing hard labor. Every class of person enjoyed sandwiches, and there are now sandwiches of all different kinds and flavors and for every situation—from the bite sized cucumber sandwiches you might eat at tea with the queen to a good ol’ tuna sandwich you might find in your lunch bag.

Grilled cheese can always please!

Check out the “Sandwich Board”

Are you a “sandwich star”? Check out these sandwiches, and see how many you’ve tried!

• Peanut Butter and Jelly: The name says it all!
• Monte Cristo: Fried ham and cheese sandwich.
• Reuben: Meat, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, this sandwich is served hot, usually with corned beef or pastrami.
• BLT: Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato
• Tuna Melt: A tuna sandwich with melted cheese on top.
• Panini: An Italian style sandwich, often grilled on Italian “ciabatta” bread.
• Club Sandwich: A triple-decker toasted bread, turkey, lettuce and tomato.
• Sloppy Joe: An American summer camp favorite, ketchup and ground beef on a hamburger bun.
• Cucumber Sandwich: What you might have at “High Tea”, finger sandwiches with cream cheese and, of course, cucumber!
• Grilled Cheese: Cheese grilled between two toasty slices of bread, great for breakfast or lunch!
• Po’ Boy: A Louisiana tradition that features New Orleans baguette-style bread and fried meat or seafood.

Classic Peanut Butter and Jelly!

Did You Know...?

• A court in Boston, Massachusetts ruled that a sandwich has to have at least two slices of bread (no burritos or open-faced sammies)!
• National Sandwich Month is August
• National Sandwich Day is November 3^rd!

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Residents rights month 2015

Activities directors and other healthcare professionals here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

National Consumer Voice

Residents' Rights Month 2015: CARE Matters

October 01, 2015 - October 31, 2015        

Residents' Rights Month is an annual event designated by the Consumer Voice and is celebrated in October to honor residents living in all long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, sub acute units, assisted living, board and care and retirement communities. It is a time for celebration and recognition offering an opportunity for every facility to focus on and celebrate awareness of dignity, respect and the value of each individual resident. The theme for Residents' Rights Month 2015 is, "CARE Matters" with the goal of highlighting quality care.

• Packet of Materials
• Resident's Voice Challenge
• Activities
• Products
• News and Events

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2015 Residents' Rights Month Packet of Materials

Each year, the Consumer Voice develops a packet to help you plan your Residents’ Rights events. The packet is completely downloadable and features ready-to-use items, including promotional materials, activities to celebrate Residents' Rights Month, training tools and resources. Check back as Residents' Rights Month packet materials become available.

Introduction & Overview

• What Are Residents' Rights?
• A History of Celebrating Residents' Rights
• Resident's Voice Challenge 2015 Information Sheet

2006 CARE Matters Packet

In 2006, the theme of Residents' Rights Week was CARE Matters.  The 2006 packet was split into four sections named for the letters in CARE - Choice, Accountability, Rights and Empowerment.  Many materials and resources from this packet are still relevant and useful today.

• Introduction and Overview
• Choice
• Accountability
• Rights
• Empowerment
• Activity Ideas
• Promotional Materials - see current 2015 promotional materials below
• Resources

Promotional Materials

• Reasons Why Ombudsmen Should Participate
• Reasons Facilities Should Participate in Residents Rights’ Month
• Sample Ombudsman Newsletter Article
• Sample Letter to the Editor
• Sample Press Release
• Proclamation - Governor
• Proclamation - Mayor
• National Residents' Right Month 2015 Logo (jpeg)
• Twitter - Tweet @ConsumerVoices using #CAREMatters to tell us how you're celebrating Residents' Rights Month.  Plus, use this sample tweet to promote the event to your network:
  
  @ConsumerVoices is celebrating Residents' Rights Month #CAREMatters to honor the dignity of long-term care residentshttp://bit.ly/1GS629p

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The Resident's Voice Challenge 2015

The entry period for the Resident's Voice Challenge 2015 has closed.  View this year's Resident's Voice submissions here.

Consumer Voice is pleased to announce the 2015 Resident’s Voice Challenge!  Creative writing and artistic expression are meaningful and compelling ways to communicate the importance of residents’ rights and how these rights can be carried out in all long-term care settings.  

For this year’s Resident’s Voice Challenge, residents are encouraged to pick up their pens, dust off their type writers or use a computer to display their writing or artistic skills by submitting essays, poems, artwork, drawings, or videos related to the theme for Residents' Rights Month 2015 "CARE Matters".

Entries submitted for the Resident’s Voice Challenge will be compiled and shared in a variety of formats.  We are asking residents and consumers to submit 40 words of wisdom to coincide with the celebration of Consumer Voice’s 40^th anniversary.  Some entries may appear in our “40 Words of Wisdom” book (on sale this summer).  Other submissions may appear on the Consumer Voice website, be featured at the 2015 Annual Conference, be highlighted in our weekly e-newsletter - The Gazette, or be used in additional forums. Every resident who submits an entry will receive a certificate for participating in the 2015 Resident’s Voice. 

For more information and submission guidelines, click here.

• For ideas on how to incorporate the CARE Matters theme, look at examples from Resident's Voice in 2006 and examples from Resident's Voice in 2005.
• Spread the word about the Resident's Voice Challenge with this printable flyer.
• Photo and Video Release Form
• Biopoem - This format can be used to collect information from residents to develop a poem about their lives.
• Resident Hero - This form can be used to collect information about residents to present in a faciltily open house or other activities. This information can be included with Resident's Voice entries posted within facilities or the community.

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Residents' Rights Month Activities

Residents' Rights Month is a time to offer residents an opportunity to participate in engaging activities.  Use the activities below to involve residents and staff members in sharing with the community.

Activities for Residents with staff and ombudsmen:

• CARE Matters activities
• Resident Idol
• Residents’ Rights Rally
• A Day in the Life: What Quality Means to Me – Photo Challenge
• Area-wide Resident or Family Council Meeting
• Town Hall Meeting
• “I want to tell you about my mother."
• Learning Circle Exercise from the California Culture Change Coalition
• Residents' Rights Bingo Game (provided by The Legal Center)
• Resident Hero
• Biopoem
• Communicating Residents’ Rights through Music
• Communicating Residents’ Rights through Storytelling
• Recipe for a Good Life
• Taste of Home: Involving residents in meals and menu planning
• Activities to Call Attention to Residents’ Dining Experience
• Food: The Great Communicator
• Culture Change Training
• Together We Can…Achieve Resident-Directed Care
• Recipe for Residents’ Rights: Free Choice

Activities for Staff and Ombudsmen:

• Ombudsman Open House
• Residents’ Rights Display at Local Shopping Mall
• Care Planning & Communicating Life’s Stories
• Communicating Community Standards
• Resident for  a Day
• Make Your Own Activity Template

Questions you can ask those with Alzheimer's or another dementia

Activities directors and other healthcare professionals here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care professionals to get an easyceu or two

From Alzheimer's Weekly
a forum member wrote:
I have three kinds of questions I ask my mom almost daily.

1 - Choices

Because she is very much living in the moment, I put out immediate choices for her to chew on, exercise her mind, and work her decision-making processes. Simple things like, "Would you like to go to the mall later today, or visit the grandkids?" "Would you like soup for dinner, or just a sandwich?" Members of the family take her shopping, where she is with people - even if they are just trying to sell her things - stimulated, walking around, having to pick out what she likes and what she does not.

2 - Fill-Ins

I ask her about her day, especially any meaningful events such as going out to eat or having a visitor. When asking her about her day, I fill in a lot of information for her until she kicks into the conversation herself. I keep my voice pleasant and informative, never showing in any way that I am mentioning things she should remember. A study was done where a camera was hooked up to a necklace on people with memory problems. It took pictures all day long at intervals. At the end of the day, the person remembered little about the day. However, they were then shown the pictures, they not only remebered what was in the pictures, they were able to fill in a lot of what was in-between them. Not only that, but after discussing the memory, they actually kept it for a long time afterwards.

3 - Long-Ago's

Mom remembers most of her past years pretty clearly. The younger she was, the clearer she talks about it. When I get her started and keep her engaged, I learn some amazing things, besides bring a light back into her eyes.