Hi Catherine, very clever of you to run short sessions. I agree with you, in my experience small groups (3 or 4 people) work much better. I also find that a variety of short sessions repeated throughout the day is often more successful than trying to have a long session. However sometimes it is impossible to do as you like.
I work with a group of 10 people suffering from early and not so early stages of Alzheimer's. My mission is to entertain them for 2 and half hours while their carers have a support group meeting. We sit around a large table from 10:30 am till 1:00 pm; getting up only to go to toilet.
For this session I plan 8 to 10 different activities ranging from crayon coloring, puzzle solving (large wooden puzzles), a junior crossword on the white board, a couple of games of Hoy or table Quoits, a riddle or two, 'Find 10 Differences' game, a themed quiz, a game of balloon (all sitting and throwing the balloon to each other), 'Word Search' (horizontal and vertical only) and a little singing at the end of session.
In between those activities I try to encourage them to talk about themselves or something that caught their attention on TV or newspaper. I find that unless I change activities often, they lose focus and tell me 'they got go home'.
I have mostly good sessions and the occasional chaotic session. Luckily I can call for help when I need it. I feel immense pleasure after a good session.
I love Golden Carers it is a fabulous resource. It has made my life so much easier, so that in turn does wonders for my clients. The work that you put in to helping us all is wonderful please don’t give up.
Is it worth the money? You betcha it is. My clients love the quizzes and we have many laughs and it opens up many a thoughtful discussion on life as an older person. I thank you so much when l am stuck for ideas l just jump onto GOLDEN CARERS. Have a great day and keep up the great work.
I work with a group of 10 people suffering from early and not so early stages of Alzheimer's. My mission is to entertain them for 2 and half hours while their carers have a support group meeting. We sit around a large table from 10:30 am till 1:00 pm; getting up only to go to toilet.
For this session I plan 8 to 10 different activities ranging from crayon coloring, puzzle solving (large wooden puzzles), a junior crossword on the white board, a couple of games of Hoy or table Quoits, a riddle or two, 'Find 10 Differences' game, a themed quiz, a game of balloon (all sitting and throwing the balloon to each other), 'Word Search' (horizontal and vertical only) and a little singing at the end of session.
In between those activities I try to encourage them to talk about themselves or something that caught their attention on TV or newspaper. I find that unless I change activities often, they lose focus and tell me 'they got go home'.
I have mostly good sessions and the occasional chaotic session. Luckily I can call for help when I need it. I feel immense pleasure after a good session.