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Astrid on Play dough crafts | 27th June 2013

I also have tried play dough with success. We have also used it with more able people in a game where players have to make an object unknown to other players out of the dough and they have to guess what it is. Of course clues can be offered too.I would make sure you are using a fresh batch each time as mould will grow on the play dough if left for some time (even wrapped up in plastic wrap in a sealed container.).

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Margaret on Group Conversations | 25th June 2013

Hi so glad to be on board great ideas I'm sure I will learn lots and pass great ideas on to my wonderful residents thank you all cheers Margaret

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Linda on Paper Tole | 22nd June 2013

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: Paper Tole

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dorothy nicholls on Questions | 21st June 2013

thanks solanage we are going to give chickens a try

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Sandra on Questions | 19th June 2013

Thanks for including Aussie animals to the endangered list

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carol on Winter Craft – Snow Flakes | 18th June 2013

loved this craft idea, some of the residents could not do the fine cutting, but all enjoyed the end result, looks quite effective on black paper

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on | 18th June 2013

Hi Donna,
I assume she has been checked for a UTI or recurrent UTIs and had her pain and other medications assessed? Pacing and calling out are strong indications of pain so that could be the main problem.
Something I find particularly useful when helping my residents with agitation is music. This isn't music for entertainment so you don't need to have a stunning voice or be able to sing at all. There are two methods I would suggest:
1. If you are aware of this lady's musical preferences, try sitting with her and singing to the rhythm of her chanting. Of course if this causes her to chant louder stop immediately as it may increase her sense of urgency to be heard over you. If she engages with you and responds to the singing it can be used as a technique to calm her and reach her in times of anxiety and disruptive behaviours.
2. Take a large drum (the bigger the better). Sit facing each other, in a location where you won't be interrupted by others, and place the drum between you. Once she has settled in the seat and is aware of the drum, tap a simple rhythm and look at her expectantly. If she does not tap in response try again, but nothing too complex, the simpler the better. Keep encouraging her to communicate with you on the drum, if need be gently place her hands on the drum skin so she can feel the vibration when you tap it.
This technique allows the resident to express their emotions without the need to formulate words and sentences.

Unfortunately both these techniques require time and won't "fix" the problem, but they may provide your other residents and staff with a bit of relief in the meantime.

Hope this helps and good luck!

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Lauretta on Questions | 18th June 2013

We found it possible to settle a client with dementia who sang tunelessly by putting on a singalong dvd and could join in this with no trouble. I have also used my ipad with great success as there are many great apps on the ipad that work well with dementia clients and really engage them. go to Alzheimers in the app store to get started. Lauretta

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Christine on Questions | 17th June 2013

To Robert who is setting up the men's club. I have the Lion's Club members come in for morning tea once a fortnight. They chat and reminisce with our men. We get resources off the internet to start them off. Google "Australian inventions that changed the world" and "gadgets that we can't live without". Hope this helps. Christine

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Chantal on | 17th June 2013

Hi Robert, we have a mens group and they originally met for the first time to discuss just what it was they wanted to achieve all meeting together. So now they have discussions on various subjects e.g. world wars, current affairs, snooker and lunch at the local RSL, paint the outdoor furniture on 2 days a year, assembled planter boxes for the garden, put together other residents flat pack furniture, build models of dinosaurs, cars, volcano, work trolleys etc. They just do something each week from the list of 'interests' they put forward in the first session. Sometimes they have a mens only bbq, where only the men can cook but everyone is welcome to have cocktails sausages on a piece of bred for afternoon tea. They have gone to a rugby match, played marbles and dominoes and generally have a laugh. It is wonderful to see and also very well attended. Hope some of these ideas have helped you. Good luck!

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