Barbara

I purchase the pretty photo boxes from Michaels when they go on sale - 5/$10 and fill it with welcome letter, word search/crosswords/Sudoku books, fuzzy socks, candies, Dove soap, body wash, travel toothpastes and of course our monthly calendar. Not all that goes into a box, but just some ideas.

Another idea is to contact the family and ask their interests (yes, even though we have a 'My Story'). First it shows we care enough to reach out to the families and you are establishing a relationship. I found out through the family that a man was so interested in WWI fighter planes, however, he didn't serve in the armed forces and it wasn't on his My Story. I purchased a coffee table book at Barnes & Nobel for $4.00 - it was full of pictures and history. This opened wonderful discussions when we visited his room.

I work with a great group of nurses! We had a monthly Total Brain Health program and one did a lecture on sleep and even came in her bunny sleeper! They've chipped in to serve at parties and wine/cheese socials. The Director of AL is an RN and speaks at our Resident Council meetings every month. Our NP gives bi-monthly health lectures. They are always willing to chip in for the good of our residents!

We now have pets visits Monday through Friday with different dogs and my residents love it.
You can contact Therapy Dogs International https://www.tdi-dog.org/default.aspx .
One thing I would suggest is that some of the owners do not want their dogs to have treats due to dietary problems so it's always good to ask first.

My community is very strict when dogs come to visit. Owners must provide current vaccinations and if the dog is with Therapy Dogs Int'l, we require their membership card.

We have residents who are not verbal but when those dogs come in, boy do they start to talk to them! It's amazing the connections between the dogs and our residents!

Well how silly was I? A recipe with no ingredients!
Canoli Dip
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 8 oz package cream cheese
1-1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 teasp vanilla extract
1 cup miniature chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

Beat ricotta cheese and cream cheese together in a bowl until smooth; add sugar and vanilla. Continue to stir mixture until sugar is completely incorporated. Fold chocolate chips through the cheese mixture.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 10 minutes.

I buy sugar cones and fill them .


https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/235797/cannoli-dip/

Ok! Bought my colorful cart and named it 'Fun on the Run'! Have started stocking it with
Word search, crosswords, adult coloring books and markers, 1 lb weights, stretchy bands.
Also will incorporate my Music & Memory Program with MP3 players loaded with different genres of music, ie. big band, classical, opera, etc.

I have a few questions for those of you who are already using a cart:
1. Do you stay in the room and work with a resident?
2. Do you drop off items and if so do they keep them or do you wait a few days to get them back? Do you sign out items?
Thanks so much for your input and comments/suggestions!

I'm on this!

Yup! At New Jersey gas stations, they must pump your gas. One of the reasons is so you don't top off and cause a spillage (which I saw last week while the lady in front of me wasn't paying attention and the gas came squirting out!).

1) I have an overhead projector and copy crossword puzzles onto the transparencies. I call out each clue, how many letters etc. so that our visually impaired residents can participate, too. I've noticed that this also sparks conversation with those sighted folks who help with clues!

2) Purchase painting canvasses and use masking tape to create blocks/squares, triangles. Set up three paint colors for each person, telling them the location of each color, then have them 'feel' the tape and paint within those lines. (They might want to wear gloves). It dries in less than 10 minutes. Gently peel off the tape and voila! You have a masterpiece.

We purchased a set of indoor Bocce balls from Walmart. They're heavier beanbags and they don't roll very straight which makes for a challenging and funny game at times!

I'm new to this site and love it! I just submitted an easy-peasy cannoli dip recipe that is absolutely delicious!
Prep
10 m
Ready In
20 m
Beat ricotta cheese and cream cheese together in a bowl until smooth; add sugar and vanilla. Continue to stir mixture until sugar is completely incorporated. Fold chocolate chips through the cheese mixture.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 10 minutes.
You can use sugar cones or cannoli shells (I break them into pieces) to scoop up this delicious dip! Mangia!