Hug Day

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is interesting information about hugs and such

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

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

International Hug Your Boss Day is September 14. It is never too early or too late to give someone a hug. Everyone loves hugs

Hugs are not only nice they are needed, Hugs can relieve pain and depression, and make all healthier happier. Hugging feels good and overcomes fear.

Here are some nice poems about hugs

A HUG POEM

IT'S WONDROUS WHAT A HUG CAN DO.
A HUG CAN CHEER YOU WHEN YOU'RE BLUE.
A HUG CAN SAY, "I LOVE YOU"
OR, "I HATE TO SEE YOU GO."

A HUG IS "WELCOME BACK AGAIN,"
AND "GREAT TO SEE YOU, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"
A HUG CAN SOOTHE A SMALL CHILD PAIN,
AND BRING A RAINBOW AFTER RAIN

A HUG, THERE'S JUST NO DOUBT ABOUT IT..
WE SCARCELY COULD SURVIVE WITHOUT IT!
A HUG DELIGHTS AND WARMS AND CHARMS,
IT MUST BY WHY GOD GAVE US ARMS


A Simple Hug

by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

There's something in a simple hug
That always warms the heart;
It welcomes us back home
And makes it easier to part

A hug's a way to share the joy
And sad times we go through,
Or just a way for friends to say
They like you 'cause you're you

Hugs are meant for anyone
For whom we really care,
From your grandma to your neighbor,
Or a cuddly teddy bear

A hug is an amazing thing -
It's just the perfect way
To show the love we're feeling
But can't find the words to say

It's funny how a little hug
Makes everyone feel good;
In every place and type,
It's always understood

And hugs don't need new equipment,
Special batteries or parts
Just open up your arms
And open up your hearts

Ideas for hug stickers

I Hugged Someone Today

I Hugged Someone Today

A sensory hat game

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

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

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

Hat day is in September

Bring in a collection of hats for your participants to use.  Such as a;

Snow hat

Baseball hat

Hard hat

Women’s hat

Mickey Mouse hat

Fireman hat
Nurse's hat

Chef hat

Baby hat

Sailor hat
Top hat
Lady's hat
Hats of different colors
Sun hat
Baseball caps from different teams
Football helmet

Have a sensory activity with the hats
Make statements like these:

I like ______hats. Fill in these word one at a time
soft, hard, white, fuzzy, scratchy, other colors, hats you wear in winter(or another season), hats you wear that have to do with sports, hats that keep you warm, or any other easy to understand descriptive words.

Talk about the hats you have. then say
show me whatever hat you described. 

For a low functioning group use less hats and for higher functioning groups use more hats

How to Celebrate Grandparents Day with Those Who Have Dementia

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





There are many activities that both the dementia person and children enjoy.

*Look at family pictures and recall the stories that go with them. Of course, you would have told the child that he may hear the same story several times. If you do not have old family photos or have not organized them yet, use this book, Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful, Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals, by Susan Berg. It not only has cute conversation stimulating baby pictures, but activity ideas related to the photos are suggested. It is an excellent dementia resource

*Sing familiar songs together. Patriotic songs are ideal because most people, young and old, know them. Some good songs are: America, America the Beautiful, and God Bless America

 *Movie suggestions are: any Shirley Temple movie, Judy Garland movies including, The Wizard of Oz, and The Sound of Music.

*Have a snack or meal together. Everyone loves ice cream.

*Make an old family favorite recipe together. Then eat it

*Go for a ride. Because gasoline prices are high and attention spans are short, a short trip is best.

So this Grandparents day, September 9, include a loved one with dementia and a grandchild in a lovely experience for both.

Why Alzheimer's and Other Dementia Caregivers Should Be Honored This Labor Day

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is a game for those with dementia and other long term care residents

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]

As an Activity professional of clients or residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, you should be honored along with the other 50 million caregivers worldwide.

See what other caregivers do and why you should all be honored this Labor Day

click here to read the article

Thank you to all involved in dementia care

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, here is interesting 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]

Gather

It is estimated that there are over 55 million caregivers, of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, worldwide. Learn what a hard job they have and why they deserve everyone's praise

According to the United States government Labor Day, celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America. Alzheimer's and other dementia caregivers certainly meet these criteria.

The first reason to honor these caregivers is for the financial burden they incur when caring for a person with dementia. First the family has consulted an Elder law attorney to get all the finances in order. Most likely the caregiver had to cut back on the hours of paid employment. Despite using all the resources out there, all expenses for the care of a dementia person will not be covered. That means go without, or pay for necessary items out of pocket.

The second reason to pay tribute to ones caring for someone with dementia is their resourcefulness. Caregivers are good at coming up with unique strategies for managing and paying for the supervision of their loved one. They may get help from attending a support group in person or online. However, they are the ones ultimately responsible for a workable plan of care.

Third is recognizing that many perform physically demanding aspects of a dementia persons' care. Many do the bathing, feeding and toileting of their family member with dementia. These tasks are difficult because many with dementia are confused and combative.

Next, these caregivers should be honored for all the time they devote to all aspects of a dementia persons' life. As just mentioned, most caregivers are responsible for the physical aspects of care. But they also must engage their loved one in meaningful activities throughout the day and sometimes well into the night. Fortunately many take advantage of adult day care to ease the burden. Unfortunately some dementia folks refuse to participate in or have behaviors that preclude them from attending these worthwhile programs.

The fifth reason for honoring those caring for a dementia person is all the time they devote to this job. The caregiver is most likely responsible for everything from cleaning to cooking to shopping to yard work. The list seems endless. These tasks are even more difficult because while the caregiver is doing them, he must also keep the dementia person safe.

It has also been reported recently that caregivers take longer to fall asleep despite being exhausted and that caregivers of dementia spouses enjoy life less Not to mention one-quarter of spouses of those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are depressed
Also according to a report published by the National Alzheimer's Association, ten million caregivers provided....read all about honoring caregivers on Labor Day

Also check out an excellent resource for caregivers, Adorable Photographs of Our Baby, a book by Susan Berg

Labor Day activities and 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

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]

The observance of Labor Day began over 100 years ago. Conceived by America's labor unions as a testament to their cause, the legislation sanctioning the holiday was shepherded through Congress amid labor unrest and signed by President Grover Cleveland as a reluctant election-year compromise.

Now Labor Day signals the end of summer

People do all sorts of things to celebrate the day.

What can you do with folks who have dementia?

Many of these ideas will work with many in a long term care setting

Read poems about labor or working

Talk about former jobs of people involved in the discussion. Then open up the discussion to all the jobs you and they can think of

Discuss tools of the trade
Have pictures of tools or bring in some. Just be careful that they do not get into the wrong hands. You never want anyone to get hurt.

Talk about Labor Day activities
Such as: parades, BBQs, picnics, and parades

Plan a Labor Day picnic

Chat about favorite recipes of foods to bring to a picnic

Create a simple recipe together

Cook something easy and yummy

Have a Labor Day picnic or BBQ

Here are some more discussion topics
• Why is it necessary for people to work?

• What do you think life would be like if no one ever had to work?

• Is work good? Why or why not?

• Are some jobs better than others? Why or why not?

• What are some of the motivations people have for working? What do you think motivates most people? What would you consider the strongest motivation? the weakest?

• Is all work of equal value to society? Why or why not?

Finally sing some songs about work
Such as: I've Been Working on the Railroad, Whistle While You Work, or O Susannah

You then can sing some patriotic songs

Alternately, you can break up the discussion by singing a song or two every few discussion questions

What's My Line-An Activity for Labor Day

What's My Line?

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is a game for those with dementia and other long term care residents

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]

The first Monday in September is Labor Day, a perfect time to talk about former jobs of residents. You can play a game called “What My Line?” 

First discuss former occupations of the audience members. Include answers to the following questions in your discussion of each job.
For lower functioning groups, discuss one or two occupations. Then have the audience guess the occupation of the mystery guest. 
What’s My Line?
Suggested questions
Do you work inside?
Do you provide a service?
Do you wear a uniform?
Do you sit while you work?
Do you travel when you work?
Do you use your hands while you work?
Do you use tools while you work?
Do you entertain people while you work?
Do you work with other people?
Do you take care of other people?

Review the answers with the audience for a more successful outcome.

You can play this game many different ways depending on the abilities of your audience.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section.

The Wright Brothers are Remembered on Aviation 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

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

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

Here is some useful information about Aviation Day

The Wright Brothers became actively interested in flying in 1895. For the first several years they read everything on flying they could obtain, even though most of what was available was theory and not fact.
In August 1899, they built a two-wing kite of 5 ft. span to test their idea of warping wings for lateral control. Based on the success of this kite, they built a glider of 17 ft. span in September 1900 which they tested at Kittyhawk, North Carolina. Although it was usually flown as a kite, several piloted free glides were made. However, it was not completely satisfactory because it often flew poorly and was difficult to control in a gusty wind.

The story of the invention of the airplane is a Puritan fairy tale. It is the story of how two honest, straightforward, hard-working Americans accomplished something fantastic and magical -- creating a craft of stick and fabric that mounted the air like the chariots of the gods, opening the skies to all humankind. Their success came so suddenly and from such an unexpected quarter that their contemporaries could not believe the Wrights had done what they claimed. After all, if prominent scientists and engineers the world over had been confounded in their efforts to invent the airplane, How could two common men from rustic America have succeeded? The Wrights instead of designing and building the whole craft, the two brothers constantly found ways to test individual components and subsystems of their designs.