Solange

Hi Bronagh, you're doing the right things. You may add magazines, books, and films in Spanish borrowed from your local library. You could also try to find a Spanish volunteer via your local church community board. ro pay her a visit weekly or fortnightly. Another idea is to contact Spanish Clubs or Spanish Dancing Schools to have a 'Flamengo Night' event.

Hi Patricia, yes, it is not easy to motivate/attract residents living with dementia to structured activities. You can pretend it is not structured. For instance, try purchasing some long handle plastic Fly Swatters; give them to 5 or 6 residents and trow a balloon in their midst; this is an activity that rarely fails. They enjoy bouncing the balloon. Another one is sitting a group of residents around a table and placing lengths of different textures of fabric in their reach. They enjoy running their fingers into velvet, silk, wool, cotton, curtain and carpet fabric. Of course, some residents will fold a few under their arms and walk away! But if you have enough fabric there will be enough for others to join in. Also, take a look at this link; some foods for thought there.
https://www.goldencarers.com/20-practical-activities-for-people-living-with-alzheimers-disease/3778/

Hi, Katie, you are doing a wonderful job. How wise of you to have a survey. Here is one tip to further volunteers’ duties/responsibilities; make them acquainted with residents’ profiles to find out what hobbies/interests, and travel/job experiences they had. Explain to the volunteer as to the ‘why’ this role is so important to residents (e.g. to affirm a life well-lived, to lend an ear, to lift the ‘blues’, and how they can use their experience and time to make a difference.) Volunteers can then prepare interesting 1:1 visits to talk about subjects of each individual’s passion/concerns. Your part in helping the volunteer to visualize the relevance of the activity can create enthusiastic compliance and further their feelings of being part of the team. Good luck and congratulations!

Hi Angelica, double cream is a very rich cream with 48% fat, making it the most versatile. I have heard that you can mix Greek yogurt and milk - half and half - as a good alternative.

Hi Susan, you're doing a good job. To add to it you could try radio plays - drama or comedy; they are very entertaining. A volunteer could visit weekly to talk and read trivia/short stories. High function residents could also visit for a chat and a cuppa. She also may enjoy feeling cooperative; ask her to unravel a sweater to recycle the wool. Another idea is finding out her favourite foods/treats and offering it to her occasionally.

Hi Robin, there are some very enjoyable and simple activities that a volunteer or a residents' relative can easily lead when staff is on leave. For instance 'Thanksgiving Game' or 'Thanksgiving Bingo'. They are also two 'Thanksgiving Dinner' games that I believe are suitable. Here are the links.https://www.goldencarers.com/thanksgiving-game/5296/

https://www.goldencarers.com/thanksgiving-bingo/5637/

https://www.goldencarers.com/thanksgiving-dinner-game/6027/

https://www.goldencarers.com/thanksgiving-dinner-game/6027/

Hi Sara, excellent adaptation, congratulations and thank you for sharing.

Hi Susan, you're doing a good job. To add t it could try radio plays - drama or comedy; they are very entertaining. A volunteer could visit weekly to talk and read trivia/short stories. High function residents could also visit for a chat and a cuppa. She also may enjoy feeling cooperative; ask her to unravel a sweater to recycle the wool. Another idea is finding out her favourite foods/treats and offering it to her occasionally.

Thank you, Gwen and Rosemary, for sharing.

Hi Nina and Leticia, what subject/theme are you considering for the Q & A?