Solange, I would also like to add the great fun I had with residents as a group was reciting the first 3 words of a nursery rhyme & they would continue on as a team. "Humpty Dumpty fell" & residents would continue on, I would do approximately 15 nursery rhymes before I done a word game. Memories are great for our elderly Kerry Towler
I have found poetry triggers memories for some of our residents who have dementia and I am often surprised by how often some can continue to recite the whole poem without very much prompting, especially the older poems which some had learnt at school.
I feel poetry is not used enough in Aged Care: I would place on my daily program at least one poem to read before some activity. It may not have been a significant poem for that day, but residents enjoyed it
Hi Kerry, I agree with you, poetry is so underrated. It provides inspiration and it is therapeutic for those who read and those who listen, as well as those who write poetry. Despite having a Poetry Reading group for elders being rather challenging, it can be done with patience and ingenuity. If you have any tips, please share them with us.
I have commenced a creative writing group. There are 4 residents who attend however they have so much fun telling stories of yesteryear. The Residents give me the job of writing their stories and putting them in verse or short stories. With their stories I have now put together 3 beautiful reminiscence booklets filled with their memories which they each treasure. They have homework each week which consists of a word or sentence to be discussed the following week. Recently we the word was " Broom" we had such fun bring up memories of how they used the broom in so many ways.
Hello, I have just renewed my membership after spending a year with Golden Carers. My residents in the home where I am Activities leader have totally enjoyed all the activities I have used from your website. I have used your newsletter templates, quizzes, word games, "This Day in History", painting pages, seasonal topics, and many more. Keep up the good work in helping us provide meaningful care for our precious residents that we are privileged to look after ✨️
Lizzie Archer Activities Coordinator United Kingdom