Darla

Hummus (chick pea) was a success at our home, even the men enjoyed this recipe. Not of their generation, but still tasty for all to enjoy.

When teaching or orienting a new recreation staff to food and cooking program, the discussion of mixing textures is also raised.Such as adding shredded coconut or nuts to top off recipes can cause choking risks. We keep textures similar so people can manage to chew and swallow easier.

And one final note, as you recommend in the article, always check with dietician for suggestions and approval for ideas.

Good Day!
I have purchased a starter garden kit from the local greenhouse. It has a greenhouse dome to watch the plants come up and then transplant to larger pots.

I also like Elisa's idea of indoor planting. Our glass windows surround a natural light courtyard, and we could plant near the windows and watch the plants grwo indoors unitl the weather permits outdoor planting for a couple of months.

If you are looking for text, this one is good: Bowlby, Carol (1992), Therapeutic Activities with Persons Disabled by Alzheimer's Disease and Other Related Disorders, An Aspen Publicaton, pp 136-148 with additional resources.

Darla

I tend to shop Amazon or used DVD stores on line or in larger cities. You should be able to find musicals, westerns, or other movies that work with your population. If you order through Amazon or other such sites, and you are redirected to a 3rd party, sometimes you can make further connections with that outlet wholesalers company.

Another thing is interactive watching. Watching movies is not therapeutic nor an activity, but a "filler" If you are interacting with the folks and sharing, talking singing along with them, this is more of an activity. This could include sports games, curling, football, the Olympic games; some of the more competitive sports people love to watch on TV.

I also enjoy discussing the news with independent residents who enjoy ther own leisure time watching the news on their own TV's , more of an interactive and intellectual discussion or debate.

Happy Hunting

Wonderful information, and thought provoking. For myself as well as other staff.

We are getting there with Client Centered Care model.

For Barbara.

Activity Documentation = leave items for resident/client

Therapeutic Recreation = remain with resident/client and document # of minutes of therapy in the MDS (or other medical system required documentation process for your country).

I found the cart useful for "Residents at Risk" of isolation.

Adding to the rolling cart each day - yesterday I purchased a small carrying caddy for hand massage and pamper kit. Lotions (hospital issued) and added my own essential oils of lavender(calming) and orange citrus(stimulation).

A fishing game for the fellows - magentic cardboard fish and short bamboo poles with dental floss and magnets tied to bottom.

Calendars (free) from the local stores; muscle cars collector cars calendar; motorcycles calendar; and big rig semi trucks calendar; beautiful flowers calendar; and inspirational message(scenery) calendars.

I post the Residents at Risk and their room #s for other therapists/staff to use.

Have Fun with your cart!

Darla

Very useful ideas. I had a rolling cart set up in past, but the focus was on large group activities and entertainment.
Now that I am focusing on Therapeutic Recreation and Residents are risk of isolation once again, I feel a fresh energy to get something in place! Your ideas are helpful and thought provoking.

Thank You Haley.

I checked out this site. It looks interesting for an aging in place facility. Our home has independent senior living, assisted living, and long term care, so it may be of benefit for those in the indepenned living. Will keep you informed.

Hello Sally, I found a Quilting Book at local store, it provides the basics of the tools to use, and some of the basic patterns to create. I use this book as a discussion, then bring around various textures and quilt backing and lay together on laps for discussion.

With one group more able, we made a Quilt Alphabet and hung it up using thread cord between the letters. We glued the quilted pieces together rather than stitching. I used the pinking shears to put the fabrics.

Happy Quilting.
Darla

Love these ones. Independent Activity; or group focus with staff initiation.

A small group of men work on independently and discuss together. This is a wonderful activity.