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
Benevolant Society
Reminiscing Kits
Reminiscing kits are a great resource. When creating kits keep the following in
mind:
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Older people should be familiar with most or all of the items in the kits.
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The objects need to be carefully selected so that they relate to specific The objects need to be age and experience appropriate and safe for older Don’t forget about kit maintenance by replacing all objects in the kits after Reminiscing Manual version 1,
Creating a Kit
Follow these tips for creating a reminiscing kit:
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Ask the experts: talk with the older people about what is important to them Start with a theme: center your kit around a similar experience or activity
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Select an era: what year or vintage is appropriate for the older person
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Remember the senses
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Other types of activities/ reminiscing materials
Where to get resources: many items can be donate or found in second Make the container part of the theme and think about how it will be used. Write a help sheet for the kit: leave some prompts for conversation or
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Sensory rooms.
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Sensory stimulation, multi sensory environments.
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Soft toys, life-like dolls and toys.
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Sensory boxes.
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Cooking/ Art.
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Other opportunities to reminisce
Tactile boards / mats/ wall sculptures.
There are many ways to reminisce. Using objects is a powerful way of
touching the senses and stimulating memories however using themes in
conversation during everyday activities can also provide positive engagement
with an older person.
One researcher notes it is about engaging older people throughout the day
with positive interaction during routine care (Spencer and Joyce, 2000, p 20).
Every day activities to use reminiscence
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Meal times.
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Bed times.
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Bath/shower times.
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Morning/ afternoon tea and supper time.
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When assisting someone to walk to another area.
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When giving medication.
Themes
Reminiscing Manual version 1,
Below are a number of themes you could use in conversation during daily
tasks. These types of questions can be useful to build up a personal history
‘life history’ of the older person or as a way of allowing the person to express
themselves.
I was born
My mother
My father
My brothers and sisters
Other relatives
First memories
My childhood home
Favourite rooms, things
In the backyard
Our neighbours
Our childhood games
Childhood pets
Our town
Childhood disasters
Childhood illness
Childhood fears
Childhood songs, street games
Family life
Sundays
Toys and treats
Christmas day
Favourite food
Heroes
Radio, music
Turning 21
Cars
The great depression
During the war
Child, other commitments
Love, marriage
Work
Special friends
Hurdles, heartbreaks
Regrets
Providing a focus for reminiscing can be best achieved through objects. The
objects are usually collected within a theme and can be used as a structured
activity to support reminiscing. Objects can also be left with an older person
for them to sort through and engage with.
One researcher notes multi sensory triggers help compensate for different
cognitive impairments and objects which can be touched, handled and passed
around seem to be particularly important (Coaten, 2001, p20).
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