How to Support Mentally Alert Clients in Mixed Group Environments

Hi Dt
Thank you for your input
I’d like this activity for a mixed group
https://www.goldencarers.com/fun-and-lively-math-group-games-for-the-elderly/5845/

I agree that asking cognitively alert residents to assist you and other residents who require support is a great way to get them involved in activities. I find men can be just as helpful and supportive with women and sometimes other men. It is important to be sensitive to their emotions and thank them without overdoing it. While doing group quizzes and games I do struggle with the more capable residents liking these and always winning, so find I have to ask them to let other residents have a turn at replying!

I really find one of the best things for our more Mentally Alert Clients can be to have them assist the others, or even get them helping out with the activity. That way they really feel that they are contributing and (For lack of a better phrase) not being "lumped in" with all the others. I have also developed some great find a words that are 'hard', 'harder' and 'hardest'.

So often staff caring for long-term clients in a facility, are lacking in the training for Dementia/Alzheimer clients and unfortunately this latter group is 'forgotten'. Understandably those clients who are fortunate not to suffer from Dementia would resent sharing facilities, as they too are likely to have no understanding of AD. The ideal situation is separate facilities - but then we do not live in an ideal world, and in too many cases 'care of any sort is better than no care.'

Thank you for sharing the ideas of activities in a mixed group. it is so necessary to know how to cope in a situation like this and I think your ideas of including the 'reluctant' participants is brilliant.