Catherine

We did a baby photo guessing competition, staff photos. It was fun.

Elizabeth... Do u have a physiotherapist at your facility? If so seek their advise. :)

Lyn, you can make lovely dresses for Xmas Angels with the paper doilies. Use either a styrofoam cone or a cone shape made of card for the body & a styrofoam ball for the head. Cover with the doilie for the dress & also the sleeves. They look very sweet & are quite easy to make!

Di... I have found this to be an enduring problem wherever I have worked. Nursing staff have also told me how to do my job, which I find infuriating. They are I have found very 'territorial'.
We all have specific roles to play in the wellbeing of our residents, no one role is more important than the other. If more staff members were willing to work as a TEAM there would be less aggitation & better results all round!

Hi Jackie... The staff should know that the more noise that dementia residents are exposed to the more confused they become.
We have had DBMAS come to our facility they are great http://dbmas.org.au/
They will educate staff & help advise you on any residents that may be having problems with behaviours.
I hope that this may help...

My title is Lifestyle Assistant, but I would prefer Assistant Lifestyle Co-ordinator, as that is what I do assist the Lifestyle Co-ordinator...

I made a version of the Recycled Dream Spring Tree, in my dementia unit using all recycled resources. It looks so pretty I placed it in the dining room & everyone comments on how lovely it is. Thank u fpr your fabulous site, full of wonderful ideas!

I love the idea & I am going to give it a go... sounds like fun!

Jan the twiddle muffs sound fantastic. I would love to see a pic!
The sound a little similar to the sensory mats that we use.

Perhaps you could give him a couple of smaller portions. I'm not sure if that will solve the problem, it really depends on why he is doing it. Perhaps he feels he has to eat quickly or someone will take his food. I encountered a lady who used to 'shovel' her food in & it would go everywhere, she has Huntingtons Disease.
You could try seating him away from those who find it extremely offensive, but not on his own as he will feel excluded from the group.