Solange

Hi Anne, you are quite right. Thank you for the feedback; it is very much appreciated.

Hi Lori, with dementia clients it would be better to cut off easter eggs from yellow construction paper. For decoration cut strips of colored paper and also cute pictures from magazines and old calendars. Dealing with glue is not as messy as paint.

Hi Ema, that’s what it is all about: making them feel comfortable, content, at home, and ‘normal’. Well done! Thank you for sharing.

Hi Kathy, it seems to me he needs a 'one on one' care since the potential for harm is present.
When you work ‘one on one’ there is more scope to circumvent situations. You can alter the circumstances to improve the behaviour. Choose activities familiar to him and use positive reinforcement which can be as simple as praising, a high five or a pat on the back. You should also consider he may need professional help. Good luck!

Hi Maria, in my experience it was done as ‘One on One’ time with the resident/relatives when we would hand down an assessment questionnaire to be answered. Most of the time they took the questionnaire home to answer and we would instead, have a chat about their expectations, collaboration, strengths and needs of client. I guess you could block off time and call it ‘Assessment Interview’. Let us know how you go.

Hi Tina, setting up a casino is lots of fun (make sure you have approval from management and whether money for bets can be used). Ideas for a Las Vegas Event will be soon available.

Hi Sofie, in my experience the OTs have one activity staff to help them out. You are quite right, it is very hard to work with clients of unmatched skills. If you don’t have a staff member to help you, you should have a couple of volunteers, duly trained, to help you. Alternatively, small groups are easier to work with. Regarding your wages, you may check with the OT peak body in your country. It seems to me your hourly rate is rather low.

Hi Emma and Nori, congratulations on the creative ideas. Thank you for the feedback; food for thought for our colleagues.

Hi Nori, glad to be of help. Thank you for your positive feedback.

Hi Lisa, in my experience same day repeated activities work for popular activities like Carpet Bowls, or Bingo. Residents would resent it if they were not at the same time. Regarding days off; I used to work on weekdays only and the weekends didn’t have Activity staff so I would instruct nurses to have the residents watching sport/movie on TV, Happy Hour, Quizzes, or Sing-along lead by volunteers or residents’ relatives. Nurses would supervise group as needed.