Bingo and dementia (part 3)

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

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

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be




Many long term care residents including those with mild to moderate dementia enjoy bingo. Soon it will be National Bingo Month with that in mind, Here is some more information

To Deefna and anyone else that is interested, the bingo trivia
a information came from Allpokertable.com

If you do not subscribe to the Activity Director E-Magazine, my next article will all about National Bingo Month

Create your own bingo cards for all occassions

Here is an example of one with a holiday free space

Bingo and dementia (part 2)

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be




Many long term care residents including those with mild to moderate dementia enjoy bingo. Soon it will be National Bingo Month with that in mind, Here is some.....

Bingo Trivia
Everyone likes to know some little trivia bits about their favorite game. How many possible bingo cards are there really? Where else is bingo played? Do bingo players have pets? The answer to these and many more questions you probably never asked yourself can be found below.
Bingo is p layed by all ages around the world, about 30% of bingo players are under the age of 35.
Approximately 2.5 million of those regular players are female.
An estimated 96% of all bingo players have won some money while playing bingo.
When asked, women report that they are happier playing bingo. About 15% of those women report that bingo is used for socializing and companionship.
Which brings us to this fact: winning is ranked fifth when it comes to reasons for playing bingo. The number one reason… “pure enjoyment”.
4 years after it’s appearance in 1930 the estimated bingo games in churches and recreation centers numbered 10,000.
Reportedly the largest bingo game was held in New York which had approximately 60,000 players. Lowe is to have reported that they had to turn away 10,000 others at the door.
It is reported that after working for Lowe to produce some 6,000 individual bingo cards, University of Columbia mathematics professor Carl Leffler went insane.
The first charity bingo game was held at a church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Bingo is the number one fundraising game in the world.
During the depression a form of bingo was played in movie theaters. It was called “Screeno”.
Reportedly Cats are the number one pet of bingo players.
Bingo was Bing Crosby’s nickname as a child.
In Australia bingo was known as Housie when introduced in the early 20th century.
There are approximately 552,446,474,061,129,000,000,000 different bingo card combinations.
Purple is the apparent favorite color for bingo players. This is according to a survey of bingo suppliers.
You can find a bingo game in approximately 90% of the countries in the world.
In 1995 and estimated 88 million dollars was spent on bingo games. That’s 88 million dollars per week.
Like Keno, Slots and blackjackbingo has sucessfully made the transition to being played online by millions of players world wide.
Despite what some people might think, bingo is good for you. Bingo improves concentration, memory and observation skills.

Bingo and dementia

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

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

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be



Many long term care residents including those with mild to moderate dementia enjoy bingo. Soon it will be National Bingo Month with that in mind, I amstarting a series of articles all about bingo

We will srart with the history of bingo

In the U.S., bingo was originally called "beano". It was a country fair game where a dealer would select numbered discs from a cigar box and players would mark their cards with beans. They yelled "beano" if they won.

The game's history can be traced back to 1530, to an Italian lottery called "Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia," which is still played every Saturday in Italy. From Italy the game was introduced to France in the late 1770s, where it was called "Le Lotto", a game played among wealthy Frenchmen. The Germans also played a version of the game in the 1800s, but they used it as a child's game to help students learn math, spelling and history.

When the game reached North America in 1929, it became known as "beano". It was first played at a carnival near Atlanta, Georgia. New York toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe renamed it "bingo" after he overheard someone accidentally yell "bingo" instead of "beano".

He hired a Columbia University math professor, Carl Leffler, to help him increase the number of combinations in bingo cards. By 1930, Leffler had invented 6,000 different bingo cards. [It is said that Leffler then went insane.]

A Catholic priest from Pennsylvania approached Lowe about using bingo as a means of raising church funds. When bingo started being played in churches it became increasingly popular. By 1934, an estimated 10,000 bingo games were played weekly, and today more than $90 million dollars are spent on bingo each week in North America alone.

Dice games for those with dementia

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

In December, we celebrate Dice day.Why not take some suggestions from this article

Large dice are a useful tool when it comes to designing and playing games with those who have dementia. This is particularly true if the person or persons in question liked to play games using dice before they had this

There are several things you should keep in mind before and during the designing and playing of dice games or any games for that matter when it comes to people with dementia.


Although it may be fun for some to have winners and losers, it is best not to emphasize this, but rather the fun of the game complimenting those who try their best to play.


Also introduce one game at time. Then play this game for several weeks before trying another similar game. If the games are quite a bit different, you may be able to introduce more than one at a time. Always follow the KISS rule. That is keep it as simple as possible.


You should you play dice games for several reasons Dice games are fun. Dice games have been played for years. Thus many people with dementia find dice games familiar. Familiar is always good when you are doing something with those who have dementia.
Dice games are extremely versatile. Some dice games rely on luck, and some use skill and planning. Some games use a combination of both. You can find dice games to play with one player or a whole group of players. There are dice games you can play on a table or on the floor.


Dice games can be based on many things. Residents may have to be lucky, or they may have to rely on their skill and ability to plan. Residents of all ages and mental abilities can play and enjoy dice games. This is especially important because now many facilities have younger residents and with only the need for a mild suggestion, your residents will want to partake in a dice game. You can find games to play with two players or twenty players, You can play them using a table or the floor,

Dice games are mind stimulating. They are mind stimulating in obvious ways because people have to count or do quick mental addition. But they are also reinforce the concept of taking turns, keeping score, winning and losing gracefully, playing without keeping score as well as many other things.
Dice games are portable. You can always find room for a few dice in an activity cart in your pocket, on a unit for staff members to use with residents or in a resident’s room. You can “pre-package” some dice with a stack of print- outs, plain paper and pencils. Put the dice and any other necessary equipment in a resealable plastic bag or box.

Dice games are personally satisfying.. Most people love the look and feel of dice. They like the versatility of dice game and the quickness of a dice game

Dice are cheap. You probably have a number of interesting dice in existing games, and you can certainly buy more very cheaply at a dollar store. You can make your own dice using varying sizes of cardboard boxes, white paper, dark paper or other interesting material to make the dots, a scissors and glue or tape. For some ideas on how to make dice go to

Dice games are plentiful. There are so many games you can play with just one di. A simple game to use as a filler is to have each participant roll the di to see who gets the highest number. You can have more than one round where you can have a winner for each round or the scores can be cumulative where you can have a scorekeeper or the residents can keep their own score. You can do the same thing with two or three dice. You could have a list of six things to do. Each time a group member throws a certain number, he has to do what is in the list for that number. For ideas as to what to put on the list go to
Another easy dice game is to have each number represent a part of something like an animal or object. The object is divided into six parts and each part has a number. The object is for each participant to roll each number so the whole object is made. To make it more difficult, the parts must be gotten in order. You cannot get one part until you get the part before it. For an example of this go to
Since December is a holiday month, play a dice game that relates to the holidays. You can make an adapted dreydl that looks sort of like a di with Hebrew letters on it.
Using the ideas on how to make a di, instead of putting dots on it, you could put Christmas symbols on it or make it in red or green or both. 
Encourage your residents make up their own games. You can help them of course. Then play the game(s) that have been made up.
Dice games can be quick or they can take a ling time. Pick a game for your audience that matches their needs, preferences, and time allotment.

Search this blog for more about dice games

December is Hi Neighbor Month

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There are more words on this video even though it is with Barney

Here are words to the song Hi Neighbor

spoken
Hi, Neighbor!
Hi, Neighbor!
Hi, Neighbor!
Whadaya know
And whadaya say
Hi, Neighbor!
Hi, Neighbor!
Throw all your worries away
Come on and shake my hand
And let a grin do the rest
It makes you feel so grand
To get your chin off your chest
And shout
"Hi, Neighbor!"
My Neighbor
Time to play
And say "Hi!"
Never, never, never wear a frown
Or let yourself get down
Just take a minute
And you'll all begin it
Hi, Hi, Neighbor!
(Instrumental interlude)
(spoken)
Well, Hiya, Neighbor!
Ah ... Howdy, Partner!
Whadaya know
And whadaya say
Hey!
(spoken)
Hi, Neighbor!
Why ... ah, Howdy, Partner!
Throw your worries
Away for a day
Come on and shake my hand
And let a grin do the rest
It makes you feel so grand
To get your chin off your chest
I'm shoutin' to ya
"Hi, Hi, Neighbor!"
My Neighbor
Time to play
And say "Hi, Neighbor!"
Hi, Neighbor!
Keep the chin up
Light the grin up
Follow right up with
"Hi!"

An activity about mittens

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

Winter will be here before you know it. Here is a story just for winter that is sure to please your residents. Mitten Tree Day is in early December

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                                                       The Mitten by Jan Brett

Happy Thanksgiving

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Here is a Thanksgiving poem. Thank you for all you do


For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;


“Thank God every day when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not. Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know.”
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

What's My Thanksgiving Line?

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The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition 
 
Here is a dementia Thanksgiving activity


A Game About Thanksgiving Food for Dementia Sufferers, Long-Term Care Residents



Thanksgiving is right around the corner and will be here before you know it.


This game is ideal for folks with Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, other long-term care residents, those attending adult daycare and people with these diseases living at home.


The group leader can be an activity staff member, other long-term care staff member, a volunteer or family member.


This game is easy to do, a lot of fun, can be adapted and modified for other occasions, and can be used with a wide variety of audiences.


The game is loosely based on the classic television show called, What's My Line. This program originally aired in the 1950s and 60s.


Instead of guessing the guests profession, the guest is pretending to be a Thanksgiving dish.


Before starting the activity, set the stage for the group or individual playing. Tell them that each person is going to pretend to be a food served at a Thanksgiving dinner.


It is probably best to discuss foods eaten on Thanksgiving first. If possible, give each participant a list of food eaten during Thanksgiving. The list can be given before the discussion or after depending on the group's cognitive level. Alternately, you could have a whiteboard or a blackboard and write down the foods as they are mentioned.


As the foods are talked about, it is probably a good idea to discuss the characteristics of the food to remind the group members about the foods. You could include this information on your list.


You will also want to have pictures of popular Thanksgiving foods. You could also write a food name on an index card to hand to the participant who is having trouble thinking of a food on his own. Have a number of cards, each with a food written on it. Also have some blank cards for those who have thought of a food on their own. Handing them the card with the food name on it is a good reminder of the food's name should they forget what they chose.


Remember, folks with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias have poor short term memory.


After the discussion, it is time to play the game. Tell the group or individual again that each person is going to have a turn "being" a Thanksgiving food

Choose a person in the group to be the first contestant. You could be the first player to show everyone how the game is played.

Give the player a card with a food name written on it or have a short private conversation to decide what the food to be guessed will be

Tell all we are going to ask the contestant about the food he is pretending to be

Here is a sample list of questions.

Alter it as needed

Is the food a vegetable, meat, or dessert?

Is the food served hot or cold?

What color is the food?

You may have to provide a choice of two colors

Is the foodd hard or soft?

Is the foodd sweet, sour, etc?

Do you eat the food with a fork or spoon?

After each question is asked and answered, ask if someone wants to guess what the food is.

Give each person in the group a turn to pretend to be a food.

During the activity, make sure you or the group leader is excited and animated. Make it sound like you are really on a game show.

You could give out prizes or hugs to those who guess correctly.

This game is a perfect lead into other discussions about Thanksgiving.

You can reminisce about past Thanksgivings. You can talk about why you are thankful for each person there, or what each participant is thankful for. Planning a Thanksgiving dinner might also be fun. Also sharing favorite Thanksgiving recipes is sure to be enjoyable.

When you are finished, thank everyone for coming. Tell them how much you enjoyed being with them

Thanksgiving Activities for Those with Dementia

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

How to Eat Right, Keep Calm and Enjoy Thanksgiving with Someone Who Has Alzheimer's Disease or a Related Dementia How to Eat Right, Keep Calm and Enjoy Thanksgiving with Someone Who Has Alzheimer's Disease or a Related Dementia


According to the National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH) over 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Countless others are impacted by their illness. Studies have shown that eating right staves off dementia and slows the decline of someone who already has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia.


What can you do as a friend, loved one, or health care professional, to make Thanksgiving enjoyable and healthy.


The first thing is to keep it simple. Do not make elaborate dishes that take lots of time. There are plenty of easy healthy recipes out there. Using South Beach Diet, Zone Diet or Weight Watchers recipes is a good place to start. You can modify the recipes according to the dementia persons' likes and dislikes.


Another tip is to involve persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Ask them about their preferences. If they say that they do not know, help them by telling them about things you like. Say, for example, I like squash. How about you? Then talk about ways to make squash. In this way, you can discuss every item you want to have for Thanksgiving.
Have them help you prepare the food. Give dementia persons simple tasks to do. Of course, you need to know their strengths and weaknesses to choose an appropriate chore. Make sure the assignment is failure free. In other words, there is no right or wrong way to do it. While you are preparing the food, reminisce about past Thanksgivings. Do not ask: Do you remember when...? Rather say That was so much fun when we...


Have a good belly laugh while talking about the good old days. Remember, research indicates that laughter does make someone feel better.


Fill your home with pleasant soothing aromas. Making a soup before or after Thanksgiving is a good way to do this. Cook the soup on a low flame all day long to let those heavenly smells fill the air.


Do not have too many guests at the meal. Make sure to keep it low key.


You may want to have two Thanksgiving meals. One for you and one for them. The one for them need not be on Thanksgiving Day. Pick a day that you and the dementia person can spend the day together enjoying all the happiness has to offer.


Now that you have read about the tips for healthy dementia dining, go have a great day
The book Adorable Photographs of Our Baby makes a great holiday gift for someone with dementia

Thanksgiving gifts for those with dementia

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

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Get your loved one with dementia a perfect gift to enjoy on Thanksgiving or anytime.

Over 5.5 million Americans are living with dementia. Is one of them someone you know or a client of yours? Get him/her or anyone with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, a gift that will keep on giving.

Of course, person appropriate offerings are the best. This means matching a gift to a persons interests and abilities, However, there are some presents that will make them smile no matter what.

One such gift is a book by Susan Berg called Adorable Photographs of Our Baby -- Meaningful, Mind-Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals, This book features baby photographs that seniors with dementia love. This book shares a plethora of ideas and resources for you.

Another gift dementia persons will fancy is a classic musical video or DVD especially a musical love story. A classic movie of this type is Rogers and Hammersteins movie, Carousel (1945) or South Pacific (1949)

Any Roger's and Hammerstein movie is a good choice, However matching their interests and favorite actors and actresses should simplify the gift giving process. You can even discuss some of the movies to get a better feel for the one they might like the best.

A video sing along is great for persons who has Alzheimers disease or another dementia. Even if they were not music lovers in the past, music is extremely therapeutic for them. Often non-verbal folks with dementia will sing along to a song that is familiar to them. Russ Carlton has a series of videos that will enchant a person with dementia.

A music download or CD is another good choice. Just as with the movies, talking about songs often brings to light a good musical selection. There are some by Mitch Miller that are favorites of many. Also Broadway tunes are a preference of those with Alzheimers disease or a related dementia.

Especially for a lower functioning person with dementia is the gift of hand or body lotion. Any kind will do. Just be aware of any allergies or pain issues he/she might have. If he/she can tolerate it, those with a pleasant scent work well. Give him/her a relaxing hand massage talking about how good the hand massage feels and how much you love this person,

If you cannot afford or do not have time to get these gifts before Thanksgiving, give the gift of yourself. No matter how hard it is for you to visit a dementia person, he/she will appreciate your company even though he/she may not be able to express it. Take him/her for a walk, sing some of your favorite songs together, or share some messages of love. Just spend some quality time with a dementia person. Both of you will feel better. Do remember to be upbeat animated and excited about visiting.

A phone call or a Thanksgivings day card will do if there is no way you can visit in person. At least they will know you are thinking of them. Then visit on another day.

So no matter what you do, do not forget your favorite friend with dementia this Thanksgiving because it will make you and her feel good. What could be better than that?

Order most of the products mentioned in the article at Amazon.com or from the artists directly

A Cornucopia of Fresh Thanksgiving Ideas

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One of them is called A Cornucopia of Fresh Thanksgiving Ideas

It offers you, the Activities Dittector,other healthcare professional, or caregiver, a number of seasonal activities that can be adapted so they can be used on many occassions.


In a future post, I will discuss some additional tips to make these activities extra special

Friendship day

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

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

Activities directors, caregivers and other healthcare professionals, here is some great information on friendship to help you celebrate National Friendship Day

This celebration will be in honor of National Friendship
Day-created by Congress in 1935 to honor the special
meaning of friendship. It is usually celebrated on November 24

"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.
Before him I may think aloud."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)~

True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost."
- Charles Caleb Colton

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, - Anais Nin

"My friends are my estate."

"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out"
-Walter Winchell

"A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else."
- Len Wein - Sent by Paulo Louro

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
- Sent by Donna Roberts

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself."
- Sent by Lysha

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend."
- Albert Camus (also attributed to Maimonidies). Sent by clovers

"A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more."
- Sent by Jasmine Fitzwilliam

"Everyone is a friend, until they prove otherwise."
- sent by Steve

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend."
- by John Leonard (thanks to Steve's Famous Quotes)


Friendship Proverbs

"Books and friends should be few but good."

"A friend in need is a friend indeed."
- Latin Proverb

"A good friend is my nearest relation."

"Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes."
"Love is blind. Friendship tries not to notice."
-Sent in by Angela Kendrick

"To have a friend, be a friend."
(sent by Julio Fung)

"Life without a friend is like death without a witness."
- Spanish Proverb

"The best mirror is an old friend."

"A cheerful friend is like a sunny day spreading brightness all around."
- John Lubcock ( English Astronomer )

"THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF SHIPS. THERE ARE WOODEN SHIPS ,PLASTIC SHIPS, AND METAL SHIPS. BUT THE BEST AND MOST IMPORTAINT TYPES OF SHIPS ARE FRIENDSHIPS."
- OLD IRISH QUOTE (SENT BY -ROBERT J. BADAR JR.)

"The only unsinkable ship is FRIENDSHIP."
-Sent in by Jeff Sczpanski


Friendship poem

The best of friends,
Can change a frown,
Into a smile,
when you feel down.
The best of friends,
Will understand,
Your little trials,
And lend a hand.
The best of friends,
Will always share,
Your secret dreams,
Because they care.
The best of friends,
Worth more than gold,
Give all the love,
A heart can hold

You're never alone, I'm always near,
When your troubled, down or blue.
All you have to do is call me,
I'm always here for you.
It doesn't matter where I'm at,
It doesn't matter when.
When you need someone to talk to,
I'm here to be your friend.
If you need someone to hold your hand,
or a hug to say I care.
If you need a shoulder to cry on,
for you I will be there.
So never think you are a burden,
when the weight gets to be to much.
You might find if look hard enough,
a good friend could be the right touch.
You're never alone, I'm always here,
through the good times and the bad.
I'm always here to be your friend,
I don't like to see you sad.

Rainbow and my Friend
If I could catch a rainbow, I would do it, just for you,
And, share with you, its beauty, on the days you're feeling blue.
If I could, I would build a mountain, you could call your very own.
A place to find serenity, a place just to be alone.
If I could, I would take your troubles, and toss them into the sea.
But, all these things, I'm finding, are impossible for me.
I cannot build a mountain, or catch a rainbow fair;
but, let me be, what I know best,
A Friend, who's always there.
I promise to defend you, should the occasion ever rise,
And, I promise to wipe away the tears,
which might stream from your weeping eyes.
Let me be the trusted Friend, the one that you know best.
I will never leave you, on that, you can surely rest.

World kindness day

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World Kindness Day - Kindness is universally appreciated so why not show some on 13 November 

Mark Twain summarised kindness when he said it is "the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see".

World Kindness Day has been recognized in many countries throughout the world for a number of years.   Driven by The World Kindness Movement, the day involves people around the world showing that we can think about more than ourselves and make the world a better place because of it.

In June 2010 Louise Burfitt-Dons and David Jamilly, both members of the World Kindness Movement and humanitarians, launched a Kindness Day UK.  Their aim is to highlight good deeds done across the country.

Everyone's idea of kindness is different.  Helping an elderly person cross the road, giving someone a compliment, volunteering at a local children's charity, or distributing baked goodies in your workplace - it all counts.

You’ll also notice a wide range of people quoted on kindness on the official homepage.  From comedian Jo Brand to Kay Boycott at Shelter they only reinforce the significant role of kindness in a person’s life no matter who they are.

I thought I'd need to hop on a plane and go do some humanitarian work in an African orphanage or something equally as significant.   But it turns out I can make the world better by being kind to the people around me. Its so simple yet so true.

So, whether you hold your tongue and don't voice mean thoughts or do something proactive to be kind to others, you can play your part in the day. 

For half a minute on 13th November, you are asked to contemplate kindness and selfless acts that have had a lasting impact on you.  Nothing huge, or shouting it from the rooftops – it's a gesture as gentle as the notion itself.

Remember what Wordsworth said; "the best bits of a man's life are the simple, random acts of kindness and love". 

It really doesn't take much to show someone somewhere an act of kindness - so what will you do on 13 November?

Veteran's Day-A perfect time to honor veterans(part 2)

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

Activities directors, other healthcare professionals and caregivers,
having a program to honor veterans both alive and deceased at a long term care facility or at your home, seems like the right thing to do this Veteran's Day.

Everyone feels good being honored and honoring those who served in the service no matter what capacity, during war the war.

I always have such a program.It does not cost anything in dollars, but it pays off greatly in raising the mood of everyone.

First I allow each veteran to speak about his/her time in the service. As they age, they may forget some of the details. I try to have a veteran from the community speak as well, to try to fill in the gaps.

Then we sing some patriotic songs

I then allow each person in the audience speak about loved ones and friends who were in the service. I ask them what they were doing

to keep the home fires burning

I give each person a certificate honoring him or her.

Everyone feels so good when we are done.

THANK YOU VETERANS FOR ALL YOU DID TO MAKE THIS COUNTRY GREAT!

Sayings for inside Christmas cards

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

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small. -

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, Which shall be to all people. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, Lying in a manger. -

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world - stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death - and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. -

At Christmas play and make good cheer, 
For Christmas comes but once a year -

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; 
Teach us to be patient and always to be kind. –

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. –

Greetings of the Season and Best Wishes for the New Year

Holiday Greetings and Best Wishes for a New Year of Happiness in a world of peace.

Holiday Greetings!. . . celebrate each day.

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. -

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! 

May peace, love and prosperity follow you always.

May the Blessings of Christmas be with you today and always.

May the Holiday Season bring only happiness and joy to you.

Honor veteran's with dementia on Veteran's Day

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

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

PRLog

Dementia,including Alzheimer disease, affects about 1 in 13 seniors,many of them veterans. As you remember our war heroes on Veteran's Day,think about what you can do for them.They did so much for us



PRLog (Press Release) – Veterans who suffer from various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer disease, often have very specific care needs. It is important that these veterans are cared for by people who understand their condition and have the appropriate instruction and skills.

Therefore encourage family members of veterans to gain the training they need to care for their loved one with dementia.

All people, including those with memory loss, need human contact. They need to be hugged. They need to hear your voice. They may not know you but as long as you know who they are, that's all that matters.

Talk to them about their service to our country. Often they will share stories with you because their time in the service made a huge impression on them

For those in nursing homes and other institutions, make sure veterans with dementia are visited often.

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,