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

Easy Spring riddles trivia and facts

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] Q.  What season is it when you are on a trampoline? A.  Spring-time! Q.  When do monkeys fall from the sky? A.  During Ape-ril showers! Q.  Can February March? A.  No, but April May! Q.  What flowers grow on faces? A.  Tulips (Two-lips)! Q.  Why is the letter A like a flower? A.  A bee (B) comes after it!

Question 1: What does the name 'Irish Spring' refer to? A soap brand An euphemism for bad breath A holiday An uprising in Ireland Question 2: View the provided image. What is the nickname of musician Bruce Springsteen? The Soldier The Boss Chairman of the Board The Devil View Image Question 3: View the provided image. In which U.S. state is the city of Palm Springs located? California All of these Texas Hawaii View Image Question 4: What kind of animal is the Springbok? Frog Antelope Wild cat Insect Question 5: 'La primavera', or 'Spring', is Concerto No. 1, in E major which is part of 'The Four Seasons' violin concertos. Who composed "The Four Seasons"? Giacomo Puccini Antonio Vivaldi Antonio Salieri Gioachino Rossini Question 6: View the provided image. In what country did the European Revolution of 1848, also known as the Spring of Nations, begin? Italy England Russia France View Image Question 7: View the provided image. 'Primavera', or 'Spring', is a famous painting by which celebrated artist? Michelangelo Leonardo da Vinci Sandro Botticelli Titian View Image Question 8: View the provided image. What is the birth name of TV host and former politician Jerry Springer? Jeremiah Gerald Joseph George View Image Question 9: View the provided image. What is the name or the Roman goddess of spring? Venus Flora Primavera Aphrodite View Image Question 10: View the provided image. What breed is the dog in the picture? American Springer Spaniel French Springer Spaniel .German Springer Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Spring Facts Spring is one of the four seasons. The four seasons are Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Spring comes after Winter and before Summer. Spring is a symbol of rebirth. When it is Spring in the Northern Hemisphere it is Autumn or Fall in the Southern Hemisphere. The Northern Hemisphere is North of the Equator.  The US is in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere is South of the Equator.  Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere. Spring begins on March 21st or 22nd. The first day of Spring is called the Vernal Equinox. Vernal is Latin for Spring. Equinox is Latin for Equal Days. On the first day of Spring the sunrise and sunset are about 12 hours apart, everywhere on the Earth and the hours of daylight and night are almost equal. Daylight is a little longer. The Vernal Equinox occurs when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is not facing towards or away from the sun. On the Vernal Equinox the sun is directly above the equator. This also happens on the Autumnal Equinox in Fall around September 22nd. What Happens During Spring? During Spring the Earth’s axis start to tilt towards the sun. The days get longer and warmer. Many animals have babies such as cows, birds, ducks Animals such as bears who hibernate start to wake up and become active. During April you will see more rain showers. During May the flowers will start to bloom. That is where the saying April showers bring May flowers comes from. Easter, Passover, April Fools Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Cino De Mayo, Holi (festival of colors in India) are all holidays in Spring

Dementia activities for spring

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]

Here are some easy fun, yet mind stimulating activities anyone can do with someone who has dementia.

Connect to nature

In late spring flowers are in bloom. This is the perfect time to arrange flowers and discuss the favorite flowers of all. You can talk about flower colors scents, where flowers grow as well as any other characteristics about flowers that seem appropriate. This discussion and activity will stimulate their mind and give a dementia person a feeling of self worth

Facilitating a discussion about Presidents' Day and other items

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]

For those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, you may have to be the facilitator in a discussion.

Today we are going to discuss how to facilitate a discussion about the “good old days” as you talk about United States presidents.

You can start out by mentioning the names of 3 or 4 presidents from the thirties forties or fifties depending on the age and mental abilities of your audience.

Let’s say most of the group members remember the late forties and early fifties. You could say that you remember Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower.

Then you could mention that when (the president most responded to) was president around 1950 I was……

Use this stategy for other discussions as well

Dementia Patients Find Comfort in Robot

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

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By Fredrick Kunkle
Washington Post Staff Writer


One of the hottest therapeutic toys for people with dementia looks like a stray from the North Pole.

And it is a toy, sort of.....click here for more

‘Armchair karate’ to help dementia residents

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

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“Residents absolutely loved it. It helps them to exercise. It also helps their well-being because their chairing each other around,” said Ms Mielnik.

The Oaks Care Home resident Ann Lillico testing her punching power on pads held by carer Elizabeth Morton.

“It is difficult because all of the residents have dementia so it can be difficult to communicate,” she said. “But when they see the others doing the activity it makes them want to take part as well.”

“I never would have thought elderly people would enjoy something like this,” she added.

As all of the residents have dementia, the activity is one of many to help them stay active and brainstorm their minds through physical activities and recreation, said those behind the initiative.

Meanwhile, the care home also hosts a range of other activities, with the help of local charity MIND Active.

For example, every month the home hosts an activity centered around food, where they focus on different cultures and their cuisine, including an Italian night where residents had the opportunity to make their own pizza.

Meanwhile, other activities revolve around, gardening, letter writing, crafts and exercise.

MIND Active aims to use “mental stimulation” to promote elderly inclusion, mostly in South East Northumberland.

It provides a choice of community-based activities, where guests can enjoy musical entertainment, raffles, quizzes, and outdoor activities.

“We successfully lift the mood of loved ones, carers and those with dementia”

Stephen Ward

In February this year, MIND Active also teamed up with Whitehouse Farm Centre near Morpeth to host regular visits to dementia patients.

Stephen Ward, founder and project manager at MIND Active in Bedlington, said: “Living with dementia can be extremely isolating.

“At MIND Active, we have witnessed people affected by dementia benefit immensely just by being part of the community,” he said.

He added: “By offering a variety of socially-interactive events, we successfully lift the mood of loved ones, carers and those with dementia by helping them to enjoy quality time together.”

The home is part of Hill Care Group, which was established in 2001 and currently operates 38 care homes across the UK.

Article about successful strategies for summer activities 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 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

Following these tips will ensure you and your loved one or client, with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia will have a pleasurable summer.

Structure and routine.
Try to follow regular predictable routines that include pleasant familiar activities. Remind the person that everything is going according to plan. Designate a certain time to go for a walk or sit in the backyard together.

Pleasant outdoor and indoor activities.
Make time for simple pleasant activities the person knows and enjoys---listening to music, watching a movie or sporting event, sorting coins, playing simple card games, walking the dog, playing catch,or dancing can all make a big difference.

Keep things simple.
Break down complex tasks into many small simple steps that the person can handle (e.g. stirring; folding towels while doing the laundry). Allow time for frequent rests.
click here to read the whole article

Fragrance Day is March 21

Don't put up a stink about March 21. It  is Fragrance Day. It is a great smelling day. The olfactory nerves in your nose, will enjoy this special day. Ladies in particular, will enjoy today because they just love perfumes. And guys, you've gotta admit that your gal's perfume attracts you to her.

Perfumes have been in use for hundreds of years. In ancient times, they were used to hide body odors. At the time, baths were infrequent. After a few days, things began to smell less than ideal. Perfumes played an important role in making the atmosphere more palatable. Today, the daily shower eliminates the bad odors. But, we still like the smell and attraction of perfume. 

Celebrate today by buying some perfume or cologne for yourself, or  as a gift for someone. Make sure to put on just the right amount of perfume or cologne. Overpowering perfume ruins the value of the fragrance to the "sniffer".

Also, check your room deodorizers, and replace them with a new fragrance, if needed.

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Lets laugh with someone who has 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

Laughter is the best medicine

Here is a mind stimulating activity about limericks

What are limericks and how can people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias write them?

A limerick is meant to be funny. Therefore they are sure to bring a smile to the faces of the folks with or without dementia in your audience.

Limeriks are five-line poems where lines 1,2 and 5 rhyme, and lines 3 and 4 rhyme. It is said that the limerick was invented by soldiers returning from France to the Irish town of Limerick in the 1700’s.

In order to make this a successful activity, you may have to have most of the limerick written except for the last word in the sentence.

You can think of rhyming words with the group members after you read the unfinished limerick to them.

Why do this activity? You ask

It is a fun way to stimulate the mind and have a good laugh

Come back tomrrow for a senerio of this

Strategies to support dementia veterans this 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]

I know Veteran's Day is over this year, but we shouls remember our veterans everyday. Here are a few ideas

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.

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

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 

Tell them how proud you are of them. Thank them for their service. This is sure to make them feel good. Most likely, it will make them smile

Smile with a veteran. Laughter is wonderful medicine...

Sing patriotic songs with a veteran with dementia. Often they will be able o sing many familiar songs even though, they may not be able to speak.

Read to them. Have them read to you. Large simple statements are best.

Share pictures with them, especially large colorful ones

Make a visitor’s packet for them.

For more ideas on things you can do with a veteran or anyone with dementia on this Veteran's  Day or any day, read the book, Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful, Mind-Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals 


So please remember all our veterans on Veteran's Day including those with dementia

activity 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,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

This link http://www.tryvindale.com/Vi6UaNPn may be the gateway to an activity your loved one with mild to moderate dementia may enjoy doing.

There are no right or wrong answers, just opinions

Try it out and let me know how it goes.

By the way, it is FREE

Wreath of leaves- an easy to do fall craft for those with 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






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Wreath of leaves- an easy to do fall craft for those with dementia

Supplies needed:

A plain white paper plate
Construction paper (orange, red, yellow, brown, and other earth tones)
Crayons or markers
Scissors
Glue or a glue stick

Cut a half circle out of the center of a plain paper plate. This will hold the leaves.

Cut out a lot of leaves from construction paper. Draw the leaf veins if you wish. If you'd like, use leaves gathered from outdoors.

Leaf templates and other fall ideas

Glue the leaves all around the rim of the paper plate.

For more, come back soon

More about craft projects for those with dementia

Activities directors, other healthcare professionals and caregivers, we have been discussing a patriotic craft for the Fourth of July. Here is more information.

The above craft can be done for any patriotic activity simply by changing the words or not having any words at all.

Make sure when you do a project that each step is simple

Do a project over a number of days so people do not lose interest during the activity.

If you are doing it in one day, then take breaks and do trivia or singing in between steps

Have a volunteer complete most of the project and have group members complete the project

For a great resource for those with dementia, caregivers and healthcare professionals, 

Easy patriotic art for those with dementia

Activities directors, other healthcare professionals and caregivers, there are so many crafts for the Fourth of July or for any other patriotic holidays.

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

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be


One in particular that I like is a wall hanging

You will need:
1/2 half sheet of blue construction paper
red and white crepe paper streamers
glue or tape

Give each participant or team 1/2 sheet of blue construction paper
Also give them about 8 inches of red and 6 inches of white crepe paper.
Have them cut or rip them into a[[roximately 2 inch pieces so they have 7 pieces of about the same size
Have them glue or tape the crepe paper to the blue construction paper on the horizontal edge, alternating colors with 4 red strips and 3 white strips
The side they glue the strips to, is the back
Let the glue dry
This is a good time to sing some patriotic songs or play patriotic trivia

When they are almost dry or dry,decorate the front with star sticker, white stickers, or you can have them glue a smaller sign on the front that says
Happy 4th of July

They can put a ribbon across the top so they can display their hanging

Are you looking for quick dementia activities that can be used as filler?

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
Here are a few activities for those with dementia. In fact they could be used with any nursing home or assisted living crowd.
Always remember to adapt and modify your activities for the folks who are engaging in them.
Also if the activities are for dementia folks, make them success oriented and failure free
Dice Throw - Just throw for highest of 3 tosses.
Card Draw- Each person draws a card and the highest keeps em all
( a group version of war)
Subject Trivia- I have 3X5 cards with several trivia statements and
questions on a particular subject. It helps to have a picture too, or
a tactile aide of some kind.
Stretch Out- Lead the small group in some small stretching exercises ( these fit well on a 3X5 too!)
Keep them simple and slow, maybe the length of a taped song or two.
Alphabet Soup- I choose a subject and we try to name
one for every letter of the alphabet, or at least as many as we can. Popular ones
are: soup, pies, sandwiches, languages, fabrics, colors, holidays,
pick a catagory!

Laughter for those wiith Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is the best medicine

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

What better way to put your dementia residents in a good mood than by making them laugh.
Here are a couple good riddles
Why did the chewing gum cross the road?
It was stuck to the leg of a chicken !!!

What did the egg say to the other egg?
Let's get cracking!

click below for jokes and riddles sure to make all laugh http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/riddles/jokes/jokes-galore/index.htm

Laugh with Limericks

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

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

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

Laughter is the best medicine

Here is a mind stimulating activity about limericks

What are limericks and how can people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias write them?

A limerick is meant to be funny. Therefore they are sure to bring a smile to the faces of the folks with or without dementia in your audience.

Limeriks are five-line poems where lines 1,2 and 5 rhyme, and lines 3 and 4 rhyme. It is said that the limerick was invented by soldiers returning from France to the Irish town of Limerick in the 1700’s.

In order to make this a successful activity, you may have to have most of the limerick written except for the last word in the sentence.

You can think of rhyming words with the group members after you read the unfinished limerick to them.

Why do this activity? You ask

It is a fun way to stimulate the mind and have a good laugh

Come back soon for a senerio of this

Action poem about family for those with dementia and others

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]

Family

Our family comes From many homes, Our hair is straight, Our hair is brown, Our hair is curled, Our eyes are blue, Our skins are different Colors, too. We're big and small, We're young and old, We're short and tall. We're everything That we can be And still we are A family. We laugh and cry, We work and play, We help each other Every day. The world's a lovely Place to be Because we are A family. What is a family? Who is a family? One and another makes two is a family! Baby and father and mother: a family! Parents and sister and brother: a family! All kinds of people can make up a family All kinds of mixtures can make up a family What is a family? Who is a family? The children that lived in a shoe is a family! A pair like a kanga and roo is a family! A calf and a cow that go moo is a family! All kinds of creatures can make up a family All kinds of numbers can make up a family What is a family? Who is a family? Either a lot or a few is a family; But whether there's ten or there's two in your family, All of your family plus you is a family! Mary Ann Hoberman