Hi, there I'm a recreation aide, and I am looking for advice on finding programs for my memory care residents. it's been hard because a lot of them their dementia is declining. I'm trying to find activities that will be meaningful for them. They love music and sing-alongs. I want to do a Name that Tune and I have tried different music. A lot of them love country music but when I put it on a lot of them don't recognize the song. would anyone have any suggestions on crafts or songs I can put on my list for a Name that Tune can use? thank you very much in advance
Jen
13th Dec 2022
Activities, Social Day Program, Life Enrichment
Hi, my memory care population is mostly mid/late and late stage. It's a challenge to find activities, but I agree that music is a great way to engage. I've asked family members and looked on their charts for favorite genres and songs and have used these in sing-a-longs/name that tune. Even if they can't participate, I notice that they enjoy the music. Spotify has some playlists that are free. I also do hand massages with lotion, we smell different scents with essential oils and guess the scent (careful with these as some need to be mixed with a carrier oil if there is skin contact). I like to play Pictionary where I draw on the white board and they guess the picture (I tend to poke fun at my drawings if they don't know the answer and help them with this. If they are able we stuff holiday cards/birthday cards/ get well cards and use stickers to put stamps on. Read alouds are enjoyable- I keep it short with a short reminiscent story or poems that are themed to the month. H Hope this helps!
I use a whole lot of music but never ask them to Name That Tune when working with late dementia people. We just sit around, sing along if they are able (and it's surprising how many of them are still able to do that!) and move to the music. Maybe clapping, tapping toes, or I pat their hand in rhythm to the music. Move their w/c in time to the music/do w/c dancing. I don't ask a lot from my memory care people as far as giving a response that they have to think about. We just do, and I take what they are able to give.
Make sure to read all the comments because there are some great ideas there too
No matter, what do you do think of yourself as a performer You need to be excited, enthusiastic and engaging Make sure to involve everyone in some way
I used to play name that tune but instead of playing that the music, I would use a familiar song,title Then I would give the first word of the title, and see if anyone could name this song, then the second word and so on until The whole title was named Then we would sing that song
I love this site, there is always an idea, quiz or craft that I can use or modify for my programs. After 35 years as an Activation Coordinator/Senior Facilitator, I am now semi-retired and running programs for individuals and small groups on Zoom (Mind Challenge/Theme Conversations & Your Story).
Love the forum idea and can see it being a real support to each other - wonderful to see the smiling faces, caring and positive attitudes that this field endangers!
Congratulations and thanks to the Golden Carers Team for a professional and well designed website that is internationally useful and user friendly!
I also do hand massages with lotion, we smell different scents with essential oils and guess the scent (careful with these as some need to be mixed with a carrier oil if there is skin contact). I like to play Pictionary where I draw on the white board and they guess the picture (I tend to poke fun at my drawings if they don't know the answer and help them with this.
If they are able we stuff holiday cards/birthday cards/ get well cards and use stickers to put stamps on.
Read alouds are enjoyable- I keep it short with a short reminiscent story or poems that are themed to the month.
H
Hope this helps!
Thank you for your great and helpful feedback
Here are some more ideas
https://www.goldencarers.com/red-or-black-card-game/7051/
https://www.goldencarers.com/games-for-people-living-with-dementia/4779/
Make sure to read all the comments because there are some great ideas there too
No matter, what do you do think of yourself as a performer
You need to be excited, enthusiastic and engaging
Make sure to involve everyone in some way
I used to play name that tune but instead of playing that the music, I would use a familiar song,title
Then I would give the first word of the title, and see if anyone could name this song, then the second word and so on until The whole title was named
Then we would sing that song