Solange

Hi, Michelle, any word will do, ask for clients opinions. For themed word games, you may join words like CHRISTMASTIME, or EASTERBUNNY. Here are some Word Game words for you to try; I added the number of words you may possibly find in each. CALENDAR (60 plus), SQUIRREL (30 plus), HOSPITAL (60 plus), SERENITY (80 plus), EASTERBUNNY (150 plus), VALENTINES ( 100 plus), PEDESTRIAN,( 100 plus) JACKHAMMER (possibly 50), LUMBERJACK (100 plus), BRILLIANT (80 plus) , CHRISTMAS, ( 50 plus) HALLOWEEN (60 plus)

Hi Michelle, word game is played by forming other words with the word chosen for the game. There is only one rule: Letters may not be repeated unless the chosen word has repeated letters. For instance, if the chosen word is ‘PEDESTRIAN’: it has two ‘E’ so words like ‘deep’, ‘seen’ or ‘respite’ are fine. Start with the first letter, forming all words you can with the letter ‘P’, (pen, pea) then “E’, (eat, end) then ‘D’, (dean, dare) and so on. Best wishes,

Hi B, the late stages of dementia are really hard because there is so little feedback. Have you tried music? Find out what music she liked and see if there is a response. If you can’t find out, play music that was on the hit parade when she was between the ages of 16 and 26 years old. Also, don’t think she is 'not there’; she may still enjoy your touch, your smile, and a sense of feeling secure and cared for. Make sure you have attractive, mobiles hanging from the ceiling, so she can appreciate colours and movement. All the best.

Hi Betty, celebrating National Assisted Living Week is putting on a special day for residents and staff. If possible, an unforgettable day! You may choose either a themed party or a day filled with fun activities and games. If you choose a themed party, you will find several ideas on Golden Carers. If you wish a day filled with fun, plan two or three main activities and some smaller activities, to fill the day.
For instance: You could hire a square dance group for the morning and karaoke for the afternoon. For ‘in between’ activities you could have quizzes, riddles, a drawing competition, poetry reading, a word game and more. For Karaoke, get staff involved forming duets or trio with residents, choose short, easy, and known popular melodies, and pass the microphone around e.g. Islands in a Stream is a good one (give lyrics to all in large font) . I wish you all the luck, you will be fine!

Hi Karen, one activity I have experienced with blind people was clay moulding. We used to buy air drying clay and other moulding material and encouraged a group of six vision deficient clients to make it into whatever they wanted. You would be surprised with the things they come up with. When I left one of the group made me a jewellery container (without lid) which is one of my prized possessions. Cheers.

Hi Eileen, I guess your Program will aim, among other things, on demonstrating modifications and adaptations of activities and daily living situations to suit clients’ needs. Here are some structural aspects your Program may cover:
• Activities simplification
• Advice on graded instructions for functional independence
• Body language tips
• Strategies for behaviour management
• Techniques for relaxation
I hope this is of some use to you. Best wishes with the program.

Hi Lisa, your client could use her hands making sachets of lavender or un-doing and winding an old wool sweater for recycling use. She may also enjoy listening to short stories on YouTube. Make sure you screen the stories before recommending it or ask a volunteer to screen them for suitability. All you need is a headphone and a mobile phone. You may try HG. Wells, Franz Kafka, or O Henry (after screening; horror, macabre and, supernatural are not recommended unless your client asks for it). Cheers.

Hi Susan, I am glad it worked for you. This game is very popular, even when residents cannot participate for some reason, you notice how they follow the balloons with their eyes with a delightful expression on their faces. Cheers.

You are absolutely right Theresa, activities that are crafted first and then used are so gratifying. Well done.

Hi Sunya, you could try placing a bedside table in front of her so that when she leans over she has somewhere to rest. She may not lean over the table if there is something to look or do such as a magazine, some playing cards, or any sensory material (fabric, softballs, lavender sachet). Good luck.