More sensory ideas for those who are non verbal 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

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] 

We want to Include a non verbal person with dementia in the conversation in some way

Here are a few ways to do it

Say," I know (non verbal person's name) likes (whatever.) I can tell by his/her smile." or

Give an expected answer and say that is what (the non verbal person) would say if he/she could talk

Then gently squeeze the non verbal peron's hand or rub his back.

You may want to give this person a sensory object to hold.

Studues have shown that doing this will ground this type of person and actually can arouse him/her if the person os lethatgic or calm his/her down if mild agitation is present

What kinds of objects can you  use?

Making Apple Butter: A Sweet Sensory Treat

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

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

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Simple Recipes

This recipe makes a sweet treat that smells so good. It is sure to wake up anybody's senses. It is easy to make and nutritious.

Here is the recipe:

Apple Butter
3 1/2 cups apple sauce,
sugar, (the formula is: sugar equal to half the amount of applesauce) Use sugar substitute for folks who are diabetic
A heaping tablespoon of cinnamon,
Half a teaspoon of cloves ( optional)
Cook it on low all day in a
crock pot!

This is especially good to make on a cold day. The aroma of it cooking is a true sensory experience.

No bake easy Hamantaschen recipe

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]

ReformJudism

Hamantaschen doesn't have to be difficult to make! Here's a way to let your residents make their own.

Ingredients: 

Soft, pliable whole wheat or white bread

Jam, soft butter, cheese spread, or peanut butter

Directions: 

Take soft, pliable slices of bread and use a large, round cookie cutter to cut out circles. Then, using a spoon or butter knife, fill the center with one or two of the above toppings. Pinch into a triangular, hamantaschen shape

Programming Ideas: National Activity Professionals Week

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

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

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Courtesy of National Association of Activity Professionals

   

Educate and show everyone in your homes how your activity department

provides Oceans of possibilities for your Elders.

Programming Ideas:

Activities: “Oceans of Possibilities”

Educate and show everyone in your homes how your activity department

provides Oceans of possibilities for your Elders.

The possibilities of keeping traditions.

_ Talk with the Elders about family traditions and your facility

traditions

The possibility to win.

_ Have a special Bingo using pictures or words relating to

activities.

The possibility of making friends.

_ Have a tea,

_ create a “Getting to know you Bingo” (see example)

_ have a staff / Elder scavenger hunt (using activity items as the

items to find)

_ Starting a Post Card Pen Pal Program to write to Nursing Home

Elders in other cities.

The possibility to socialize and try new things.

_ host a special dinner party serving different kinds of food

_ Host a happy hour with different types of drinks

The possibility to serve others.

_ make Sandwiches for a local shelter

_ have a food drive (this time of year is usually a lean time for food

banks so they will appreciate even more)

The possibility to explore past interest and be creative.

_ Crafts

_ Creative Writing

The possibility to stay in touch with the community.

_ Plan out trips

The possibility to LET GO.

_ Be a kid again for just an hour or so ( see attached).

_ show off your talent & lack of at Karaoke.

The possibility to learn something new.

_ Learn how to write and say your name in another language

o Chinese http://www.chinesetools.eu/names/

o Hawaiian http://hawaiiannames.hisurf.com/

Just google “my name in (what ever language) then print

it and make it a special sign for them to keep.

_ Show them the world wide web.

“Oceans”

The Tropics

_ enjoy some Kona Coffee, Hawaii’s “Gold”

_ Use the web to learn elders’ names in Hawaiian and a few

Hawaiian phrases.

_ Learn the meaning of the different Hula Dances by the way they

use their hands

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110077/dance.htm

_ Dinner Party. adventure into Hawaiian Dishes

_ Try your hand at Pineapple bowling with a Coconut bowling ball

_ Have a Parrot Head Day. Play Jimmy Buffett, have “Changes in

Attitude” discussion group, Cheeseburgers in Paradise for lunch

and Margaritaville for Happy Hour

_

_ Take photos and make your own Hawaiian Post Card

c

http://www.hawaiiandays.com/HDC/categories/cat_postcards.htm

has vintage postcards, and may grant permission (they did for me)

for you to copy and use their photos for backgrounds. Then cut and

paste resident photos on the computer (looks best) or by hand to

make the postcards

_ Have a luau with BBQ, have staff dress tropical.

_ Use fruit of the Islands, and make individual Pineapple

Shortcakes: twinkies, vanilla pudding, pineapple and whipped

cream

_ Don’t forget the Drinks of the Islands happy hour !!

Press Release: National Activity Professionals Week

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]

It is not too late. Remember to send the newspaper a press release about National Activity Professionals Week. This idea is courtesy of Re-Creative Resources


SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE The following is a sample press release related to recreation programs in long-term care. Note: Before writing a press release or any other public relations activity, refer to your facility administrator, marketing director, etc. to ensure you are following guidelines. CONTACT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Person Date Company Name Telephone Number FAX Number Email Address Website URL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES: A FUN-DAMENTAL COMPONENT IN LONG-TERM CARE "Activities are the heartbeat of the facility," a resident in a long-term care facility once said. The importance of activity in long-term care is just one reason why
At
The team of professionals at
disciplinary approach to quality of life. As an example, the Food and Nutrition Department hosts a monthly cooking class, in which residents share in the preparation of their favorite recipes. Similarly, the Rehabilitation Department works in conjunction with the Recreation Department to increase residents’ physical functioning. Even the Nursing Department can be found reading the newspaper or singing in the dayroom. In addition, there are numerous community groups and volunteers that enhance the quality of life of the residents.
The long-term care industry has changed dramatically over the years. Now, quality of life is as equally important as quality of care. Recreational activities have become a heightened focus of regulatory agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and are a FUN-damental component of today’s long-term care facilities. name of facility offers a variety of recreational activities that stimulate minds, promote physical fitness, increase social interaction, teach new skills and, overall, improve the quality of life for all residents. name of facility, residents are engaged in person-centered, meaningful activities, specially adapted to meet the needs and interests of each resident. For example, the wide range of therapeutic recreational activities at name of facility include pet therapy, music therapy, intergenerational programs, community outings, exercise and creative-expressive programs, cognitively challenging games, cultural programs, clubs and special events, programs for the cognitively impaired, etc. are just some of the activities offered. Programs are offered daily and provided in small, medium and large-sized groups, as well as on a one to one basis. name of facility believes in creating an environment that is fulfilling, holistic and nurturing for the residents. For that reason, name of facility has an inter-Name of facility is one of 10 skilled nursing facilities in the xyz Corporation that provides both short and long-term care and rehabilitation services. For more information on name of facility, please call (555) 123-456-7890 or visit us on the web at www.nameoffacility.com.

Happy New Year

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

To all the readers of this blog who are eager to learn more about dementia, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a happy new year

Try to relax. Enjoy the holiday. Remember it is about being with family and friends and taking pleasure in their company.

It is about remembering the good times and forgetting the bad. It is about letting go of useless grudges.

It is about enjoying the moment because with dementia, that is all you may get. Remember to create your own moments of joy so you and your dementia friends can have the most joyous holiday possible

Thank you all for making “Activities Director” a stop on your blogging journey. In the days to come, I will be discussing more information about dementia that you will find most helpful. See you soon and…..

 Happy New Year

From 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.

Learn about leap year people, events,and music

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]

This information is for an activity discussed in the February E- magazine oF Activity Director Today

People
Famous people born on February 29 include*:
1468 – Pope Paul III (d. 1549)
Some people have a leap day birthday. ©iStockphoto.com/iofoto
1792 – Gioacchino Rossini, Italian composer(William Tell, The Barber of Seville) (d. 1868)
1896 – Morarji Desai, former Indian prime minister (d. 1995)
1916 – Dinah Shore, American singer (d. 1994)
1924 – Al Rosen, American baseball player
1924 – Carlos Humberto Romero, former president of El Salvador
1960 – Richard Ramirez, American serial killer
1960 – Anthony (Tony) Robbins, American motivational speaker
1964 – Lyndon Byers, Canadian hockey player
1972 – Antonio Sabàto Jr, Italian-born actor
1976 – Ja Rule, American rapper and actor
1980 – Chris Conley, American musician and songwriter/composer
Events
Events that took place on February 29 in history include*:
1692 – First accusations began during the Salem witch trials. The trials occurred in Massachusetts in the United States, where more than 150 people were arrested and at least 25 people died by hanging, torture or during their prison stay.
1848 – Neufchatel declares the independence of Switzerland.
1940 – Hattie McDaniel was the first African American actress to win an Oscar. She won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as “Mammy” in Gone with the Wind. The movie won eight Oscars.
1944 – The invasion of the Admiralty Islands began as United States General Douglas MacArthur led his forces in "Operation Brewer". Troops surged onto Los Negros, following a month of Allied advances in the Pacific. This event was one of the highlights of World War II.
1952 – The first “Walk/Don't Walk” signs were installed in New York City.
1964 – Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser received her 36th world record. She was timed at 58.9 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle in Sydney, Australia. She was the first female swimmer to win gold medals in three consecutive Olympic Games (1956, 1960 and 1964).
1972 – The Carpenters received a gold record for the hit single Hurting Each Other. The Carpenters were a vocal and instrumental duo of siblings, Karen and Richard, who produced a softer style of music in an era when loud rock was in demand. They were one of the best-selling music artists in the 1970s. 1904 - On this day in Washington, DC, a seven-man commission was
 created to hasten the construction of the Panama Canal. Work began
 May 4th. It's always hard to get something going by committee; so we
 guess that's why it took seven men two months to get the work going.
 1920 - Dateline -- Budapest, Hungary: Miklos Horthy de Nagybanya
 became the Regent of Hungary just six months after leading a
 counterrevolution. He probably gained control because everyone else
 was distracted while trying to pronounce his name.
 1932 - Bing Crosby and the Mills Brothers teamed up to record "Shine"
  for Brunswick Records.
1936 - Fanny Brice brought her little girl character "Baby Snooks" to
 radio on "The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air" on CBS Radio. Miss Brice
 presented the character and later sang "My Man" on the program. She
 was 44 at the time, and was known as America's "Funny Girl" long
 before Barbra Streisand brought her even greater fame and notoriety
 nearly 30 years later.
 1940 - Hattie McDaniel was the first black person to win an Oscar. She
 won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Mammy in "Gone
 with the Wind". GWTW also won Best Picture, Best Actress for Vivien
 Leigh's performance and Best Director for Victor Fleming, Best
 Screenplay for Sidney Howard's writing plus awards for Color
 Cinematography, Interior Decoration and Film Editing. Other Oscar
 winners on this night were Best Actor, Robert Dunat in "Goodbye, Mr.
 Chips", and Best Supporting Actor, Thomas Mitchell in "Stagecoach".
 1944 - The invasion of the Admiralty Islands began on this date as U.S.
 General Douglas MacArthur led his forces in "Operation Brewer".
 Troops surged onto Los Negros, following a month of Allied advances in
 the Pacific.
 1944 - The first woman appointed secretary of a national political party
 was named to the Democratic National Committee. Dorothy McElroy
 Vredenburgh of Alabama began her new appointment this day. 1944 -
 The Office of Defense Transportation, for the second year, restricted
 attendance at the Kentucky Derby to residents of the Louisville area to
 prevent a railroad traffic burden during wartime. We imagine that horses
 were allowed in from elsewhere, though...
 1952 - New York City pedestrians were told when to walk and when
 not to as four signs were installed at 44th Street and Broadway in Times
 Square. Each sign flashed "Walk" for 22 seconds, then "Don't Walk" for
 ten seconds before the "Don't Walk" turned red for 58 seconds more.
 We're told that eight out of ten people obeyed the signs ... not bad for
 New Yorkers who will walk right through one door of a car and out the
 other to get across the street quickly.
 1960 - A report from the White House stated that America's kids were
  getting too fat! I'll have a cheeseburger, fries and a shake.
 1964 - Dawn Fraser got her 36th world record this day. The Australian
 swimmer was timed at 58.9 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle in
  Sydney, Australia.
 1964 - The United States was in the grip of Beatlemania! "I Want to
 Hold Your Hand", by the lads from Liverpool, was in its 5th week at #1
 on the pop charts. It stayed there until March 21, when it was replaced
 by "She Loves You", which was replaced by "Can't Buy Me Love",
  which was finally replaced by "Hello Dolly", by Louis Armstrong, on May
 9, 1964. 14 straight weeks of #1 stuff by the Beatles! Yeah, yeah, yeah...
 1964 - Hang on to your racquets on this one, sports fans: A shuttlecock
 drive record was set by Frank Rugani this day. Mr. Rugani slammed the
  birdie 79-feet, 8-1/2 inches in a test at San Jose, CA. A giant leap for
  badminton. A little leap for all mankind.
 1972 - The U.S. Justice Department had recently settled an antitrust
 lawsuit in favor of International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation.
  On this date, newspaper columnist, Jack Anderson revealed a memo
 written by ITT's Washington lobbyist, Dita Beard, that connected ITT's
 funding of part of the Republican National Convention with the resulting
 lawsuit settlement.
1972 - Swimmer Mark Spitz was named the 1971 James E. Sullivan
Memorial Trophy winner as the top amateur athlete in America.
1972 - Karen and Richard Carpenter of Downey, CA, received a gold
record for the hit single "Hurting Each Other". When they tore the golden
platter from its protective frame and plunked it on the player, they heard,
"Hurt So Bad", by Little Anthony and the Imperials. They were so upset
by this that they ran out to the back yard and used the record as a
Frisbee for the rest of the day. (Some of the preceding is based upon
actual fact.)
1988 - "Day by Day", a situation comedy, premiered on this date on
NBC-TV. It was one of the "yuppie sitcoms" that were all over the TV
dial in the late '80s. This particular one was about a suburban
overachieving couple who dropped out and opened up a day-care center
in their home to spend more quality time with their children. The quality
time lasted just under five months.
1956
                        The Great Pretender - The Platters
                        Band of Gold - Don Cherry
                        The Poor People of Paris - Les Baxter and his Orchestra
                        I Hear You Knocking - Gale Storm
                        1964
                        I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
                        Dawn (Go Away) - The Four Seasons
                        You Don't Own Me - Leslie Gore
                        See the Funny Little Clown - Bobby Goldsboro
 
                        1972
                        Without You - Nilsson
                        Never Been to Spain - Three Dog Night
                        American Pie - Don McLean
                        It's Four in the Morning - Faron Young
                        1984
                        Jump - Van Halen
                        Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
                        Thriller - Michael Jackson
                        Stay Young - Don Williams
                        Special thanks to 440 International Inc.