FutureAge Care researches and promotes innovative concepts for leisure activities and lifestyle opportunities within the residential setting. Our focus is toward wellbeing and developmental models that help create avenues for continued learning, familiar life experience and purposeful activity, regardless of cognitive, physical or memory barriers. Promoting wellbeing, social interaction and activities with purpose is at the very core of our research. This page has some activity suggestions and concept ideas that are mostly suitable for the residential aged care setting and dementia day care centres. Please use within the health and safety confines of your environment and unique residents. Always check for safety, allergy, diet, special health needs and any other issues that may present themselves and complete risk assessments and evaluations first. All activities are designed to be with the full supervision of an appropriate qualified staff member and should be adapted to your residents' needs and environment.
What activities? - the essence of life and where to start -
If you are looking for new activities, or are implementing a new program for a client or group of residents the first question you must always be asking is "What would they like to be doing?" As strange as it may sound, we receive many emails and questions asking what is the best activity program to have and what activities should be available for our clients. This is a very difficult question to answer without knowing who your residents are and what they like to do. So where do we start?
Success comes in placing your person/group at the centre of your approach, planning and care: hence the "person centred care" approach that we hear so much of. Staff can be hesitant about asking a resident what they actually would like to be doing for fear that they will be told a request or suggestion that they cannot fulfill. But the reality is, most of us live life and have lived life in ways that have common threads with those around us. Relationships, identity, employment, faith, life experiences, children, animals, nature...these all have the potential for common threads and connections.
For example, we all eat 3 main meals each day and enjoy some level of social contact. We all live in a country where we, being of diverse cultures, beliefs and backgrounds are used to living side by side with an expectation of harmony and tolerance. Most of us have some understanding of the ageing process and are in a society and country where freedom to live and express ourselves in ways that are meaningful and important to us are familiar and expected. It is also important to remember that the trends here in lifestyle and leisure for the last decade have been towards a desire and an expectation of being able to access holistic programs and services, ways to optimise our health and wellbeing and maintain some independence and choice. An example of this "wellbeing" and "wellness" trend is the reduction in smoking areas in public and smoke free environments and buildings. Other examples reflected in our society include the increase in gyms and health clubs, Fast Food outlets selling healthier food options, packaged food is supplied with nutritional values on the labels. Organic foods, Life Coaching and Mentors and an increase in the availability of counseling and therapy services are all familiar or known current choices in our society.
With all this in mind, we ourselves may have also noticed a change in the leisure and recreation options and programs within residential aged care, for example. Programs we may be aware of are Tai Chi and Yoga classes for those with dementia, Creative Arts therapeutic programs such as Art, Music and Creative Writing. Consider also spirituality and faith based options and services within aged care. Perhaps you have a Pentecostal Church service held onsite for your residents, or a spiritual garden area that is based on Feng Shui. Or maybe you have facilitated a dance program and have been recording participants thoughts and feelings during their creative seated dance.
- Turning an environment of sickness and disability into a hub of wellbeing and activity -
The wellbeing hub is about the implementation of lifestyle and leisure programs that help to promote a greater wellbeing and healthier lifestyle for those living in residential care. Looking at the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects to life, we promote wellbeing program models for lifestyle and leisure staff to consider and sample via our website, e-newsletter and Therapeutic Activity Training Workshops.
• The aim is to consider lifestyle and activity program models that support and enhance wellbeing in the three key areas (physical, emotional and spiritual)
• The Wellbeing Hub explores ways to empower both residents and staff to participate in their own and each others wellbeing
• Turning an environment of sickness and disability into a hub of wellbeing and activity
Look Good, Feel Good (a wellbeing hub example)
The Look Good Feel Good activity program is similar to the "Look Good Feel Great" and "Look Good Feel Better" programs that are for women living with breast cancer and other cancers. Patients undergo chemotherapy as part of their treatment and as a result of the side effects they may experience hair loss, skin sensitivity, change in complexion and a myriad of other changes and challenges besides the treatment itself.
The Look Good Feel Great/Better program is designed to help women handle more easily the changes through a range of activities and support. Activities usually include how to tie a head scarf nicely, trying on wigs, free make up and learning how to apply cosmetics to make your complexion look healthier, despite the illness underneath. Women experience a safe, warm environment to laugh, cry (if they want to), share their unique experiences and hopefully feel a bit better about themselves through the education, validation and empowerment given.
Look Good, Feel Good programs work well within the nursing home and hospital environment and anywhere where people are experiencing a physical or mental illness, disease or suffering.
Many of our residents would like the opportunity once in a while (if not more often) to talk about areas of concern to them. Worries such as memory loss, continence, death and dying, money worries and family can all be close to a person's thoughts and emotions every day. It is important that lifestyle and leisure programs have a balance between fun, games and entertainment as well as times when a person or group can receive the validation, reassurance, discussion and opportunity to express themselves if they want to. The old attitude "play happy songs, get them smiling" and "cheer them up" is no longer considered as helpful all the time. A person may in fact feel happier after an opportunity to talk about their hopes, fears and personal experiences sharing a room within hostel care, for eg. Sometimes the very things that we try to avoid and ignore among our residents such as their tears, depression, incontinence..could be the very things that they really want and need us to listen to and validate with them.
Look Good Feel Good (LGFG) works both ways around: if a person looks better in their appearance and perception of their "self", they can also feel better both physically and emotionally. And alternately, if a person feels better within themselves after a LGFG program, this can also magnify in their appearance (smiling, relaxed, having laughed/cried, feeling more confident). The wonderful thing about this program concept for women with cancer is that even if the woman is terminally ill and she is receiving palliative care, she is still most welcome (and often will) attend the program. How great is it that we have this opportunity with our elderly, frail residents; that they can still feel empowered, valued and supported in the everyday things of life and not just medication, wound management, continence and so on!
• The program can include some pampering such as brushing one's hair, giving each other a hand massage, sampling fragrances, showing how to apply blush and lipliner before lipstick. Encourage people to participate as much as they can, as this is part of the process of empowering them and providing them with the opportunity to feel that they are able to contribute both as individuals and as a group.
Men can also be involved with activities similar to the ladies' activities such as grooming their hair, splash of aftershave, sorbolene hand massage, folding a handkerchief for the top pocket and cleaning spectacles with an appropriate cloth.
• Approaching the topic of memory loss can be received positively if it is introduced with gentleness and a caring approach. One approach that we use with success is for the program facilitator to introduce an item such as a ball of wool or something that is "knotted up" or tangled that needs to be untangled for eg. The facilitator can say something like "it's all tangled and muddled up". Usually a resident with dementia will respond with something like "just like my memory!", or "mine is all a-tangle as well." These statements are a perfect way to introduce some relevant memory discussion topics.
• A guest speaker is a great way to introduce a topic such as grief and loss. Most people have had an experience that will relate to our residents (after all, we are all human beings). If they are comfortable in sharing a little, this can be an excellent way to engage the group's interest and build their motivation to respond back and contribute with their own personal stories or worries. Your guest speaker can be a staff member or volunteer, or a church minister or even someone younger. With grief and loss there is such great scope: it could be the loss of a pet, loss of health, continence, a loved one, moving home, financial loss, or loss of a job through redundancy or forced retirement.
• Documentation should include the areas of a resident's lifestyle that have been nurtured, explored or addressed during the programs. Remember to include evidence and reference to all of the Accreditation Standards Expected Outcomes that have been covered and in what ways; eg 3.8 Cultural and Spiritual Life, 3.4 Emotional Support, 3.6 Dignity (for eg nurtured through validation and reassurance if a resident feels they are losing their dignity; or talking about incontinence (EO 2.12 also on Continence Management); or thoughts about sharing a bedroom now/without their spouse etc).
• LGFG can be presented as a club with invitations, a regular time and day as well as a warm and safe environment away from distractions. Play some relaxing music as people arrive and allow for time for everyone to socialise and enjoy some light refreshments together. Depending on your group size, a support staff member or volunteer/s to assist will help this program work towards maximum benefits. LGFG is suitable for hostel and low care environments. It is excellent in high care and dementia specific homes if your facilitator is confident responding and conversing within the dementia languages and if they are resourceful with communication methods.
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise
Healthy, wealthy and wise is a well-known saying and the apple is often associated with health (an apple a day keeps the doctor away). We started this program in a high care/dementia specific care home in Sydney with great results. The program concept is about maintaining our emotional and physical health through simple discussion (wise) and exercises (healthy). The wealthy component is all about having enriching and therefore "wealthy" experiences together as a group.
Similar to the Look Good Feel Good program, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise goes a little further, with exercises for easy ways to keep our brain active, encouraging enthusiasm for active life and validating our personal experiences from both the past and the present.
One example of this is when we presented a short talk with pictures about Ned Kelly to a group of residents with moderate to more advanced dementia. One lady looked at the pictures and said enthusiastically "It's Ned Jelly..Ned Jelly!". After a brief story telling about Ned Kelly, a male resident with dementia started talking about life and how you "overcome things", how to face life's challenges and more. Others joined in with his thoughts and sometimes we observed how people with dementia seem to understand each other, or at least have patience and acceptance for each other.
• This program can gently address something of concern to your organisation such as residents gossiping, bullying another resident ( we have tried these effectively ) and any other topic that you feel could be explored for the benefit of either individual residents or a group, or staff.
• An activity is all you need and through this activity you can introduce the topic or concern. One DT started talking about how she had gossiped and then felt bad about it. A resident then said she had done the same thing and the group conversation then focused on the negative aspects of gossip and the effect it can have on staff.
A Day in the Life...Introducing a fresh new look at our Leisure Webpage, we bring you A Day in the Life -
From the start of the day to the end, a closer look at some activity ideas and concepts for you to consider.
Gentle exercise helps form a balanced, healthy lifestyle for us all, and our residents in care and day care centres can enjoy the same opportunities with careful planning and consideration. From gentle walks, to yoga, exercise programs, ball exercises, stretching, massage, dancing and music making, there are many ideas on offer. Always consult with your onsite or visiting physiotherapist, physio assistant or qualified staff. If there is not a regular, daily physio program at your facility, consider and discuss ways with your colleagues that you can implement some exercise through the day for your participants. Your residents will have increased wellbeing, suppleness and improved circulation, leading to a happier, healthier lifestyle in general.
Some ideas to consider are: short walks to a local park, garden walks and visits, bus trips incorporating walking exercise, walking from one end of your home to the other, seated exercises, yoga, meditation, dance, music making with instruments, singing and laughter club. A good exercise program can include: deeper breathing exercises, gentle head movements from side to side, shoulders moving in circular movements forward and in reverse, arm stretches, wrist, hand and finger movement and gentle shaking of these areas, torso moving from left to right, squeezing buttocks together and releasing, pulling in stomach gently and lifting chest higher with inward breath, gently lifting knees, walking in a seated position by gently lifting the feet and knees higher, foot and ankle rotations forward and back, squeezing knees together, pushing knees upward and feet onto tip toes. We recommend ending your exercise program with clapping and gentle shaking of the limbs to ensure all muscles are released from a tight or clenched position.
All exercise related programs must have risk assessments carried out first, to ensure participant's health and safety. Remember to continually remind your group to only move/stretch and exercise according to their level of ability and how comfortable they are. Repeat simple reminders for them to stop if they feel tension or pain or concern at any time. Carry out evaluations with your group regularly by inviting feedback and asking for comments on how participants feel over time. Programs may need to be changed and modified to suit levels of ability.
Quick tips with hoops: a hoop is a great investment to your activities. Two people can hold the hoop, facing each other. Using spoken word, activities can include gently pulling or pushing the hoop for resistance exercise, lifting and tipping hoop from side to side, patting a balloon with the hoop from side to side, then line up the hoop so that the balloon falls through the middle. Use a larger balloon size to make the activity more difficult. Get one person to "frame" the other person by putting the hoop over them, hold for 3 seconds and then lift hoop off again.
For individuals: lift the hoop up and over the head if possible, bring down to the lap and push and pull the sides of the hoop for resistance exercise. Slowly move hands around the hoop, gripping as you go. Aim to complete one rotation of the hoop, then hold the hoop up as if holding a steering wheel and steer the hoop from side to side as if navigating a car or ship. Create your own imaginative exercises according to your participant's ability. You may need to help hold the hoop, depending on its weight and size and your person's strength.
The advantage of the hoop for group activity is that it encourages greater contact and intimacy between people, as they work together as a team during their workout. Using with an individual person with dementia can be comforting to them as they feel "encircled' by your special 1:1 attention and engagement with them. A hoop can also be reminiscent of childhood, and it dates back many years as a child's play activity. Some new hoops contain water and are a great stimulation as the water can be felt moving as you tip the hoop. This makes for a good tool with balance guided exercises with your participants. Try our suggestions or create your own according to your group's abilities.
Group relay exercise:
Group exercises that promote contact and communication with one another can help break down barriers of isolation and social shyness. For this exercise your group need to be seated in a circle, close together and with abilities evenly dispersed. Using a variety of objects in turn, the aim is for your group to pass the object to each other and back to the starting person as quickly as possible. Hence the name "relay". Start with an easier object to handle such as a medium sized beach ball or ball with dimples for easy grip. Once the ball is returned to the starting person, remove the ball and introduce a smooth, thick stick or piece of straight tube or piping, as a baton. Once the baton has reached the starting point introduce another object such as soft handball, bean bag, balloon or an item of different size, weight and texture.
For added interest your relay team can pass anti-clockwise and then clockwise. As confidence gains you can add another dimension of skill by numbering each participant and getting each person to say their number or name as they pass the baton. Clap a rhythm as your group relays the baton and try increasing the speed as they become more skilled at their activity. If you are unable to sit in a circle, sit in a line and relay your baton along the line and back again as one rotation. For those unable to participate on this level, seat them with you and encourage them to be part of your cheerleader team with you, by clapping and cheering with your prompts and verbal/visual demonstration. You may have some pom poms that they can hold and shake. This, along with clapping ensures that they still are part of the team and are having some exercise too.
Once you have developed several group activity exercises you might wish to consider a "mini-Olympics" morning or "Gym fitness" morning. Team-group activities ensure that everyone feels included and that everyone is a winner. They also promote a sense of fun and safe environment to have a go in the company of others. Have a mid-session break with water and slices of fresh orange. Create a team chant, using your home's name and promote clapping and cheering to enhance the team spirit. With the mini-Olympics option, create a suitable name such as "October Olympics" "Olympic Fun" "Team Olympics" "Wattle House Olympics"..etc (use your facility name if it fits well). Print off certificates of participation or buy/create medals of participation for all involved. Promoting team effort rather than individual successes ensures that everyone feels a winner and of value to the achievements.
Your Etude CD contains 13 tracks of interesting music styles: celtic, salsa, linedancing, tango, relaxing piano, ballet, Tunisian, African, Irish and 1 oriental piece.
Your CD is accompanied by a manual outlining Etude with dance choreography suggestions, pre-planning and activity ideas. A sturdy box file and laminated Etude Dance door sign make this a fantastically priced, valuable resource at just $79.95
Click on play below to hear samples of 3 tracks from the Etude CD...
Music making; Relaxation:A little treat for you below and a reminder of the benefits of musical sounds, music-making and sounds for relaxation. Use your mouse-clicks and create your own beautiful, relaxing Zen Chimes!
Laughter Therapy/Laughter Yoga concepts
A great "immune booster" all year-round is Laughter Club:
Laughter groups can promote laughing for fun, exercise, deeper breather, energy and immune system boost, and an outlet for expression.
The key to facilitating a laughter therapy program is to have confidence, enjoy yourself and create a relaxed and safe environment for people to participate. Residents who are confident, less inhibited and willing to experiment with you will help make up your successful group. Some tips are:
* Create a small, intimate group in a circle away from distraction
* Start by slowly speaking and demonstrate some simple deeper breathing exercises
* Progress to letting out breathes in short pants such as "hah, hah, hah" and slowly turn them to laughing sounds
* Experiment with different laughs such as "he he, ho ho, huh, huh" giggles, low and high pitched laughs
* Use eye contact, match other people's laugh sounds, and keep going for as long as is comfortable
* Regular laughter groups will encourage greater confidence and participation as time goes on. At least twice weekly is recommended, meeting at the same familiar time and place
* Don't feel comfortable yet but would like to try? Start your program as a relaxation or breathing exercise group, and slowly introduce laughter as one of your breathing exercises. Over time we are sure you will feel comfortable with progressing to laugher therapy, or you may wish to keep it as one of several breathing exercises. Either way, the benefits are positive and will boost energy, reduce stress, encourage friendships and improve overall wellbeing.
Let's Laugh is one of Australia's most popular providers of innovative and inspirational corporate, community health and wellbeing programs.
Let's Laugh offer 3 Laughter Leaders training options:
1. Community Laughter Leader Training; for those wanting to set up a laughter club in their local community or organisation. This program is also popular with those interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of the laughter program. Check the website for the next course.
2. Organisation specific Laughter Leaders Training; for those wanting to set up a Laughter program in their organisation. This program is presented 'in-house' at your venue at a time and date to suit you, and will be designed to suit the specific needs of your target market.
3. Age and Disability Specific Laughter Leaders Training; for those wanting to present a laughter program suitable for those who are older, frail, with limited mobility or who have a disability that impacts on their ability to effectively participate in a general community program. This program has been designed to provide Laughter Leader training that will meet the needs of community support organisations and age or disability care support centres and has been developed by Let’s Laugh in consultation with service providers and clients.
It is currently the only Training Program of its type in Australia and has been accepted as an approved training program by The Diversional Therapy Association of Australia. Check the Lets Laugh website for next courses or contact Bronwyn below to find out how you can bring the training into your organisation.
Email Bronwyn or click on the Lets Laugh logo above to go straight to the Lets Laugh website for more information on upcoming training opportunities and services for your organisation.
Empower- Jan/Feb 2010 latest Newsletter Download Allow a few moments for files to download.
Contact us to subscribe regularly to our Empower e-Newsletter. New editions are available every 2 months. Some back issues are available at the bottom of this page. Subscribe to the newsletter for free, or you can subscribe and pay $10 to assist us as a donation. Donate & sign up in our Resource Shop.
beyondblue Fact Sheets: Grief, Loss, Depression (free pdf downloads) - click on the butterfly logo to go to the website.
Most staff and volunteers working within residential aged care agree that they believe many, if not all of their residents are living with depression most of the time. beyondblue offers a range of free information and expertise on depression and issues associated with anxiety, for those living with depression and also for their carers. Click on the beyondblue logo and go straight to their fact sheet download page for areas of interest such as depression after a stroke, depression and arthritis, depression and diabetes, older people, keeping active, and grief and loss.
These fact sheets are concise and informative, helping to educate and remind you and your staff teams of the signs, symptoms and suggested treatments and support for those living with depression. Depression may be common within aged care, but there are ways of implementing management strategies and enhancing the emotional wellbeing of those needing our support on a daily basis.
Daily exercise, social contact, purposeful activity and a sense of future (things to look forward to) are essential areas to help promote life enjoyment and reduce depression in our residents. The opportunity to talk, receive counseling and maintain a lifestyle of spirituality is also extremely important. Past, present and future are three important dynamics to a person's life: who they were, who they are now and what life can look like for them tomorrow. It is easy with the elderly to focus on their past, reminiscing and talking about who they were and what they did. It is also important to have a balance of focus on who they are today, what is important to them and what they would like to do/looking forward to the future. Hope for the future and an interest in today can only come from nurturing a balanced life with meaningful opportunities.
Consensus Guidelines for Assessment and Management of Depression in the Elderly -
These Guidelines are a blueprint for the development of good practice protocols that aim to assist service providers to identify and manage depression in elderly persons. We have provided the weblink to the free download of these guidelines, taken from: www.health.nsw.gov.au
National Pain Strategy 2010 - important excerpt taken from the Pain Summit Website:
"One in five Australians will suffer chronic pain in their lifetime and up to 80% of people living with chronic pain are missing out on treatment that could improve their health and quality of life. The National Pain Summit, to be held on March 11, 2010 at Parliament House in Canberra, will bring together Australia’s leading authorities in pain medicine, other health professionals and consumer groups representing pain sufferers to develop a national strategy to address this pressing economic and social issue. The strategy will be aligned to Federal Government initiatives for health reform, particularly in relation to preventative health and the management of chronic disease.
A draft National Pain Strategy has been written and this was launched on Sunday October 18 (see the media release) and has since been updated. Expert and community feedback on the strategy is now being sought."
FutureAge Care is a strong advocate for pain relief, strategies and pain management awareness within aged care and disability care. We visit a portion of clients who are not necessarily receiving adequate pain relief and intervention and this can often be overlooked among the elderly and among those who are non-verbal, or who have difficulty communicating to us. It can also be incorrectly thought of by some healthcare workers that pain is just something that the elderly commonly experience and is therefore almost to be expected.
Pain that is left unaddressed can lead to other symptoms and distressing challenges to the sufferer such as depression, isolation and feelings of hopelessness. Some pain can be so easily avoided, or better managed and even prevented: eg through strategies such as falls prevention programs and access to healthy outdoors, safe amounts of sunlight (therefore avoiding vitamin D deficiency, an increasing concern within aged care). One symptom of vitamin D deficiency is physical pain and it is sad to read documented notes in client's medical files, but with little action taken to help reduce suffering. It can be frustrating for those in our care who sometimes receive daily activities that are recreational, while the issue of pain should be a higher priority for the emotional and physical wellbeing of the person in pain.
Recreational activities can include consideration of pain through guided relaxation and breathing techniques, music, massage, aromatherapy and through promoting calm and stress-less environments for example. This is why we promote ambient and relaxing DVDs that contain imagery of nature, natural sounds and soothing music. Please remember to check with those in your care whether they experience pain (check medical and progress notes, ask the person and/or your RN and peers). Reflect on your existing programs and any complementary therapies that the person may have access to that can assist with pain management, intervention or distraction through the activity itself. During 2010 we will be highlighting more ideas and ways that lifestyle and leisure programs can help support physical wellbeing and any health challenges that clients may be living with, especially pain. Natural therapies are becoming more easy to access and can also help to address physical pain and discomfort. Please also browse this webpage for more ideas and examples to help with general wellbeing of those in your care.
For more on the National Pain Strategy and to provide support and feedback on the new proposals please go to: www.painsummit.org.au - Your voice can help to provide a voice and support for this who live with daily acute or chronic pain.
Hobbies...
With the advantage of plenty of time on their hands, many facilities are now tapping into the potentials of their residents learning something new: pursuing a new interest or hobby or re-visiting a former interest. Yoga, Creative Writing, Art Projects, Spiritual Programs, Music Workshops, Drama, Multicultural Studies are just a few themes and programs that are being facilitated by DT and OT staff across Australia.
Tap into networking opportunities, resources, conferences and our free Empower Newsletter and be inspired about the future directions of aged care...For our activity e-Newsletter please email: empower@futureagecare.com
Colour Therapy - Interactive information widget...
Click on the moving colour spectrum below and find out more about colour properties with this fun widget. We also stock a Colour Therapy Resource that you might be interested in...located in our Resource Shop.
Flowers of Provence DVD
Flowers of Provence, from cinematographer Tony Helsloot, was filmed amongst the wonderfully aromatic lavender fields of Provence and in the surrounding regions of South-West France.
The DVD has 3 relaxing films: Lavender, Poppies and Sunflowers, set to the calming and inspiring piano music of Simon Daum.
Four further tracks contain natural ambient sounds: Three Natural Decoration tracks show a lavender landscape, a field of lavender, and a bright field of sunflowers, and a track of Soothing Scenes offers a flowery mix of slowly changing shots, fields and countryside.
Choose a track and it will play continuously or use the Play All function to play each in turn. This is a great resource for your Sensory Room and related programs: use with lavender and floral aromas for an audio, visual and fragrant sensation with your clients. Other uses can include a backdrop to Memorial Services and War Commemoration Days
(Poppies Film for Remembrance Sunday for eg) a backdrop to Art programs to assist with cognitive stimulation and imagination, Flower Arranging, prelude to gardening, sensory enrichment and this DVD is a great asset to Colour Therapy.
The lead up to an activity can have its challenges; with seated residents standing up again and wandering or becoming agitated if things don't start before their concentration starts to wane. At FutureAge Care we use these Ambient DVDs to provide a focus and distraction before the activity program starts, to help keep everyone entertained until every resident has arrived and we can start. Those watching the DVD will start to point out images of interest or familiar subjects and it helps to relax them and settle any nerves or anxiety that they may have.
$32.95 - This resources comes with an A4 laminated card of suggestions for uses.
Work, rest & play: Marketplace & Job Club Initiatives
Marketplace is about creating income generating or working based activities for residents as part of their balanced lifestyle - work, rest and leisure time. Many residents benefit from the daily purpose of working and work tasks can give focus to daily life, enhance cognitive and motor skills and help build confidence and satisfaction from having a responsibility and meaningful purpose to the day.
Examples of Job Club tasks that elderly residents, including those experiencing dementia have undertaken regularly or occasionally include: delivering magazines and newspapers to residents' rooms, simple admin tasks, feeding pets and watering plants, volunteering to visit socially isolated residents, providing musical entertainment at parties, assisting RAO with 1:1 activities and assisting with clean up after meals/morning tea and folding small laundry for staff. Other projects we are hearing about include 2 onsite Coffee Shop initiatives which are operated by residents working as a team, each according to their abilities, and Garden Nursery projects - participants are potting seedlings for the local church fundraising events, and assisting local schools with tasks such as creating paper mache for art classes.
This photo shows an elderly resident enjoying participation in their regular Garden Club (high residential care, VIC). Seedlings are purchased and re-potted, and then tended to until ready to re-pot in larger pots. The plants, once established and reasonable in size are then prepared for market. They are sold locally to raise funds for the local church. This Garden Group is an example of a healthy and fulfilling purposeful working activity for groups. Fresh air, exercise, enhancing concentration and the social aspect plus regular, familiar routine help to establish fulfillment, confidence and the benefit of helping the local community.
It is important to create opportunities for men to be able to work, potter and feel useful. Odd jobs to help around your home can validate their usefulness and often the task itself is not as important as their sense of belonging and purpose.
Men can assist in the creation of sensory aids for those with dementia.
We currently have male residents sanding various shaped blocks of wood as part of a sensory box for men with dementia. Some of the wood will be varnished and some will be left smooth to provide different aromas and tactile surfaces. The sensory box will also include some wood shavings from a Carpenter who has helped advise us on this project. One nursing home created an activity board for men with various bolts, hinges and small chains attached to a block of wood. 2 male residents assisted with the varnishing of the wood and enjoyed interacting with the hinges and various familiar parts.
Men's Sheds and Men's Dens are another popular activity within residential care and enable men to enjoy male company, a place they can call their own, a place to potter and even just sit and talk. You don't need to have an actual shed - it can be an area in your garden or courtyard or even a small nook within the home somewhere. For more on the Men's Shed concept go toAustralian Men's Sheds Association
Discussions during the FAnJournal Nutrition Conference at Coffs Harbour (Nov 2009 -Nutrition and Catering Consultancy) explored women's approaches to men's activities within aged care and how this can shape men's activities for Diversional Therapy. Some women felt (and we agree) that the best client-centred approach towards men's activities is to allow the men "to be men"; to not have a timeframe demand on their time together (the men can be being and not just doing-focussed); and men's activities should be run by a male wherever possible.
The aged care environment and high number of female residents and female staff can make it a very female-oriented place and care should be taken to consider male social areas, male-themed activities and the men's participation in ideas, planning and undertaking of the activities and time together. If you have any other thoughts and ideas, we would greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
We were the recipients of the 2005 Research Grant award from Victoria University for our Marketplace concept and we have presented Marketplace at the 10th National Residential Aged Care Facility Conference for Leisure, Recreation & Lifestyle Staff in Melbourne and for the NSW Diversional Therapy Association. In June 2007 we presented Marketplace at Hammond Care's 4th National Conference on Depression in the Elderly in Sydney. Some recent stories from the field include a Garden Group, potting seedlings to grow and sell and a Jewelry Creations group at a Day Centre. We are very impressed at the high standard of quality of goods created and sold and we are not surprised that sales and profits are favourable to those involved.
For more on Marketplace, why not go to our Workshops page and book a Marketplace presentation at your organisation. This is a workshop and is packed with ideas, practical programming, stories from the field and all you need to know about creating avenues for working lifestyles for your clients. Looking for a resource on working lifestyles within residential care? Why not purchase our Audio Teaching CD on Marketplace for all you need to know to get started. You can listen to an audio sample of the CD on our Resource page.
Namaste Care Program
As a social worker and dementia care specialist, Joyce Simard M.S.W. has more than 30 years of experience in health care settings. She currently provides consulting services, staff education, and marketing events to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and hospice organizations. Joyce has developed three programs to improve quality of life for people with dementia. “The Memory Enhancement Program” for people in the early stages, The Club for nursing home residents in the middle stage of a dementing illness and Namaste Care for people in the advanced stage of dementia.
Namaste Care is a program designed to improve the quality of life for people with advanced dementia. Namaste, is a Hindu term meaning “to honor the spirit within” and was selected to describe a program that brings honor to people who can no longer tell us who they are or who they were or care for themselves without assistance.
Namaste Care takes place in a designated space that helps to create a safe and comforting environment for all who enter; residents, their families and staff. This seven day a week program provides a wide range of meaningful activities that help bring pleasure to people with advanced dementia or that have other physical or mental impairments. Hand and foot massage, brushing or combing a persons hair with slow movements and moisturizing the ladies faces with "Ponds" cold cream, a scent they may remember from their youth, are a few ways that bring pleasure when done with a loving touch. Resistance to shaving that many men display because they do not realize that they need to be shaved disappears when shaving is accomplished the "old fashioned" way with shaving cream and "Old Spice" after shave lotion.
Scents of the season are used to provide sensory stimulation. Flowers that are in bloom, like lilacs in the spring, produce smiles as well as the scent of cinnamon in the fall and winter. Almost everyone will smile when someone is blowing bubbles or may be wearing an outlandish hat! Moving arms and legs to music helps keep limbs flexible. Nourishment and beverages are offered throughout the day so that people with a diminished appetite have more opportunities to eat and drink.
Namaste Care can be offered in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities or as part of a hospice program. For more details about this program read “The End-of-Life Namaste Care Program for People with Dementia”. This book can be purchased through www.amazon.com
Activities with purpose have great value and the potential to increase wellbeing in even our most frail and inactive residents. Especially during the warmer months, hydration is essential but can be overlooked when people do not have the ability to communicate that they are thirsty. Lack of fluid can cause great discomfort, such as strong headaches, eyes becoming sensitive to light, skin change, sleeplessness and anxiety.
Fluid based activities, such as a drinks party, sampling thickened juices, ice cream and yogurt, can tantalise the taste buds, increase fluid intake and enhance wellbeing.
Our photograph shows such simple ideas: plastic champagne flutes with ribbons tied at the bottom, bright coloured cakes cases and serviettes. We have used bright colours for visual stimulation as well as the taste sensation ideas. Simply select a few different thickened fluids for those residents that need them, and place in the flutes and cake cases. Find a quiet place in the shade and bring two or three residents to your garden party. Use long handled spoons to assist with feeding and allow your group to sample at least three different flavours of thickened fluid.
Fresh air, hydration, being close to nature and human contact with others, and this simple activity has longer lasting, positive benefits for your group.
(Remember to check with qualified staff about which drinks, thickness and ingredients are suitable for which residents first.) Food Handler's Certificate is required for staff using food with activities. Check with your DON or staff educator to find out more.
Finger Foods is a nutritionally balanced finger food
menu designed to enhance independence
and dignity in eating for people who
would otherwise need assistance to eat. It
includes sensory food appeal such as
taste, texture, aroma and colour. It has
non-repeating main courses, desserts and
snacks, nutritionally balanced variety and
easy to prepare.
Finger Foods is designed for cooking
activities and demonstrations, sensory
programs and to encourage independence in
preparation and eating for those with dementia, limited
dexterity/painful joints.
Great value: $29.95 (rrp $32.95) large print with
over 200 pages, 3 week menu recipes,
large font and ring binder to lay your
book flat or on a stand plus our suggestions for activities with your client groups.
Fun, Food and Nutrition Pathfinder Course for aged care residents - This great food preparation and taste sensations course is created by Karen Abbey from Nutrition and Catering Consultancy (NACC), also listed on our Directory webpage. Karen is a nutritionist, author, aged care presenter and consultant who is passionate about food for seniors!
With Karen's expertise and knowledge on food and nutrition, we have come up with a fantastic, fun 10-session cooking activity course designed for residents in low and high care facilities. Your activity course comes with a manual, laminated recipe cards, cooking activity sign, documenting journal and certificates of participation for your "students".
The food activities are simple and easy to prepare together, with tasks along the way such as building a fruit salad, pikelets with a twist, risotto, pizza, vegetable patties and other mouthwatering taste sensation activities! The manual comes with vitamised alternatives for those on puree diets, plus food safety, handling, hygiene and program preparation guidelines.
Your food course with your participants can be run as a small group or with individual clients in there own home, for example. Everyone loves food and for those with dementia, exploring the textures and sensory pleasures with supervision can be a rewarding and familiar activity.
Fun, food and nutrition course for aged care residents: $180.00 (course materials can be re-used over and over again!)Food handlers certificate and basic food safety knowledge is required.
Fun & Spontaneous...
Spontaneous and unplanned activities can break the routine, allowing moments for different reactions and responses. A surprise idea or treat is a great tonic for those suffering with depression and the memories of something fun or completely different can linger with our residents for a long time. Here are some more unusual ideas to help spark your creative imagination...
If you have access to a car (and permission) - taking 1 or 2 residents with you through a drive-thru car wash is hilarious fun! It's quite an exciting thrill...don't forget to ensure all windows are closed! It's a great topic of conversation even if you can't get to actually go.
A fun 1:1 activity - sit with your person and assist them to dial 1194 and then let them listen to the call. Recognise the number?...it's the "Speaking Clock" - some of whom have never phoned the Speaking Clock before. It's also an empowering activity for a person with dementia. They can listen and then tell you the time. When was the last time they were able to make a phone call?
Finding out the time for themselves, even with a little assistance from you helps to maintain their independence and keep active their problem solving skills. (Plus the Speaking Clock is always fun to listen to!)
Juicing & Drinks - Support your individual or small group with hand juicing oranges and lemons. This activity will probably bring back some memories to the days of baking and making juices and home-made lemonade. Good also for hand dexterity exercise, concentration and definitely a sensory stimulation! You can pour the juices into jugs and add small amounts of the lemon juice to pre-purchased cloudy lemonade.
Add some ice cubes, mix together and pour into cups with drinking straws and give your "home-made" lemonade a special name.
Mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) - a great small group activity with many benefits including hand dexterity exercise, concentration, promoting decision making and creating opportunities for social drink preparation and tasting. Set up a production line of workers seated around a table and allocate tasks according to ability and people's preference. For those needing extra assistance to complete their task - seat them next to another person with the same task to help encourage them and follow their lead.
Tasks can include hand juicing citrus fruits, pouring 2 different pre-packaged fruit juices into jugs and another helper adds a "fizz" such as lemonade. Add a small amount of the freshly squeezed juice and have another helper slowly mix the ingredients together. Decorations can be added to your Mocktail glasses or tumblers (plastic tumblers from the supermarket are ideal) - cocktail parasols are bright and familiar and another helper can open them and add one to each glass.
Finally, retreat to a social area and enjoy your drinks with some nibbles and bright background music for a party atmosphere. Allow plenty of moments for memories to spring forth and take some photos. Again, your group might like to think of names for their Mocktails and record the methods if wishing to enjoy this activity again another time. NB: As always, remember to check for fluid requirements, thicknesses and allergies etc. (Risk Assessments first always). Thickened fluids can be created and spooned into your tumbler or plastic champagne flute so that no-one is left out where possible. Enjoy!
The Honeysuckle Program is an interactive transition program for new residents to your facility. The aims are:
. For your new resident’s transition into your home to be an experience that is as
comfortable, affirming and positive for them as possible
.To create an atmosphere of reassurance for the resident; affirming their uniqueness and
individuality and quickly establishing areas of their lifestyle and leisure interests that can
be continued in their new home
.To establish positive relations quickly with family and friends of the new resident
We’re all really passionate to see our new residents connected to their new home and help them
make what can be a difficult time the most positive experience possible. New residents can
sometimes quickly isolate themselves and be mistakenly thought of as anti-social or “prefers to
be alone”. Often it may be that they are going through a myriad of unsettling feelings such as
fear, grief, anger and disempowerment. The move into nursing care for some can be seen as the
end of their life’s journey. The reality is that part of life’s journey is the end of life and its final
season, which for some people may be at your nursing care home. This 6 page resource looks at the key areas of social, spiritual and recreation lifestyle ideas and suggesitons for your programs and new resident relationships.
Soft, tactile, interesting material and engaging designs make up the style of Busy Pillows and cushions. Gentle fragrance can be added if suitable and appropriate. These are for use with residents experiencing dementia, anxiety, the very frail elderly and those not responding to other stimulation or interventions.
Busy Pillows can be used for a range of benefits: tactile therapy; 1:1 interaction together to create interest and stimulation during quiet times; to alleviate boredom; to help reduce anxiety through the comfort of touch and squeeze; enhance discussion; provide enjoyment and relaxation; soft surface for fragile skin and bones to rest; a place for fragrance to help enhance appetite before meals...there are many unique possibilities.
A range of specially selected cushions, pillows and large powder puffs place value on women and femininity and demonstrate extravagance. We will bring you more on our Busy Pillows during the year. If choosing cushions and pillows for use with residents we recommend good quality, safe designs and that you beware of small parts that may come apart. Use caution and consider whether your activity with these items should be supervised at all times, depending on the needs of your residents.
Note: if you are concerned about the use of synthetic fragrance and perfumes with residents, we suggest that you do not use them and consult a qualified aromatherapist for some alternative suggestions.
Value on womanhood
Imagine the possibilities: time spent brushing hair in front of the dresser mirror together; trying on beaded jewelry, applying lipstick and sampling perfume with your resident...quiet time to reflect in front of the mirror, enhancing memories and placing value on womanhood - the very nature of being feminine.
At FutureAge Care we believe that even in old age we can and should respect, nurture and enhance the value of womanhood. Whether through beauty products, pampering or conversation together as women, there are many avenues for you to explore and consider. If your facility has room and a small nook somewhere, you can create a special pamper zone with a dressing table, mirror, flowers and carefully selected items to suit. This unique area can be used as 1:1 time with ladies in a wheelchair or princess chair and for those experiencing dementia. This can also be an opportunity for volunteers to help or for private time between residents and family.
Suggestions: A quiet area away from noise and crowded hubs works best, with the opportunity for ladies to use the dresser whenever they wish. This makes for a familiar, home-like activity that can relax and provide therapeutic benefits.
It can also be used as a late afternoon activity for ladies experiencing sundowning. (Some or all items you may wish to keep safe in a locked draw, or you can leave out those items that you feel safe to leave on display for use anytime).
Rummaging, reminisce, sampling items, providing tactile stimulation and sensory interest through visual and aroma are just some of the expected benefits. The dresser experience helps promote familiar life engagement for your participant, enhancing concentration and hand-eye coordination skills.
Don’t have room for a dresser? - Scale down this activity by creating a “fascination box” for ladies to rummage through with you, using some of our suggestions or create your own.
Item suggestions for your dresser activity: Soft brush, comb, soft hair curlers, soft nail buff, string of beads/pearls, hair slides, silk flowers, lace hankies, antique perfume dispenser, fluffy powder puffs, perfumes, lavender bag, scented draw liners, hand mirror, trinkets to rummage through.
Perfume Bar
Perfume bar is a stimulating and easy activity, with positive benefits for those experiencing dementia or those who appear very unstimulated. It can be for men as well as women. We use our own created Perfume Bar at a dementia home, but recommend that you tailor this program to your unique residents.
Our Mobile Perfume Bar: We use a small container of eau de toilette samples from The Body Shop and gently spray fragrance on the collar/clothing of a resident. We do not recommend any perfume being sprayed onto direct skin, but advise spraying onto the clothing, rug, or pillow where it can be experienced during the day. We also spray perfume onto fluffy powder puffs that residents can hold and smell. There have been many positive responses from ladies with dementia, who have literally come alive and started speaking and expressing their interest to this sensory delight.
We have also turned the Perfume Bar experience into a working task for one lady with wandering dementia. This lady visits residents in their rooms and we administer the perfume together. We encourage her to chat and interact with the residents as part of the Buddy Program.
Perfume Bar should be created according to your residents needs and we recommend that you check first to ensure there are no allergies amongst your group. Perfume Bar also works well if you are finding that your residents are not responding positively to aromatherapy essential oils. Older people may not be used to the essential oil aromas and may respond more positively to the more familiar scent that perfumes have.
Perfumes place value on the femininity of women, even in old age. It communicates extravagance and luxury and that they are special and valued people. Fragrance can also increase appetite: trials of liberally spraying "food" aromas such as vanilla, citrus and berries around residents with poor appetite have shown significant improvement in their eating, if this is done 10 minutes before meal times. Other observations have included a lady speaking whom we had never observed speak to this point and another non-communicative lady in her bed was observed drawing the pillow to her face and breathing in the fragrance.
Suggestions: Perfumes and related activities can enhance a sterile environment and make it more "human" and pleasurable, mask odours, and promote womanhood and femininity. Once a week or fortnightly in communal areas, or any appropriate time 1:1 in a client's private room is suggested. Water based (room spray/eau de toilette) perfumes are less potent than oil or musk based aromas and gently and liberally used should not cause discomfort. Clothing or bedding can be lightly sprayed, or items such as silk flowers.
DEMETER Fragrance Library
Sample the Demeter Atmosphere Sprays and create your own collections for your sensory activities and pleasures for your clients. With unique and original scents like Wet Grass, Bonfire, Rain, Dirt, Salt Air, Baby Powder and Laundromat, you can use them for a variety of special uses.
Scents can help with memory enhancements - for eg, use the Baby Powder and Laundromat Scents with soft baby clothes such as pink fleece and wool, and a laundry "rummage" basket with wooden clothes line pegs for small group or 1:1 late afternoon activities: rummaging, sorting and reminiscing.
Order and trial some food and fruit based scents to help enhance appetite before meal times. Demeter scents: Pruning Shears, Dirt and Bonfire will be a great asset to your men's activities.
Unsure about the use of fragrance at your home with your clients? Check the Demeter website for further product information for your risk assessments and consider their miniature samples for just US$5 plus shipping. *Always consult with your onsite professional nursing staff and management before using products with your residents* Click on the Demeter logo above to go straight to their website.
Vintage Naturals are a collection of fragrances made with 100% Natural Essential Oils and all natural ingredients. Personal and up close, they are an affordable olfactory experience brought to you by Demeter Fragrances. With no synthetic fragrance oil, no artificial colours or phthalate - go to Dementer's website to find out more....
There are other alternatives to using aromatherapy and fragrance within your organisation. Practical ideas utilised by us and other Diversional Therapists include fresh flowers and herbs: rub onto your fingers for those close to you to still be able to smell. Peel an orange or other citrus and let the aromatic flavours fill the room for a while to experience. Spray lavender or other natural fragrance onto your own skin for those around you to enjoy during close companionship moments together. Exploring the tactile and aromas of potpourri may also be an option that is appropriate and safe for you to try.
Experiment with what options are available to you and you can also check individual resident's personal possessions to see if they have their own cologne, talc, aftershave or fragrance draw bags or posies.
Aromatherapy Introduction
We have added an information widget with some very brief, introductory information on Aromatherapy for you. Staff utilising aromatherapy including essential oils within aged care, are required to have a recognised, formal qualification in aromatherapy. Please consult with your management and staff educator before looking into using aromatherapy with residents and clients. Risk assessments also need to be carried out as some clients may have allergies and specific health conditions that can be affected by the use of aromatherapy on their skin, body and sensory input systems. This widget information is intended for general interest and fun and not as a guide for use within aged care.
Ageing in Place - stories to inspire
Julie* attends a dementia care day centre twice weekly and has shared with us her love for collecting, documenting and observing nature specimens in her viewing jars. She collects simple items from her garden and from monthly bus trips, such as leaves, twigs, pods, grass and shells. She places them in her "specimen jars" which are clear plastic containers and she then observes them over the next few days, watching them change, dry up or "grow cobwebs" as she calls it. She enjoys remembering where they came from and sometimes she also photographs or draws them for her collection albums. This activity helps Julie with her memory and concentration and is extremely important to her life.
Julie will eventually need to move into nursing care as her dementia progresses and she has expressed concern at still being able to continue her love for botany, collecting and drawing. Julie's activities are mentally stimulating and validate her identity and skills with nature preservation, art and photography. Her interests will appeal to others who are from a teaching background, who love the outdoors and also have an interest in gardening, nature and botany. Collections are a common hobby but often within residential care we neglect this avenue of person-centred opportunity. Access to the outdoors, some clear plastic containers, an album and drawing equipment are all that Julie needs to continue her interests, plus some encouragement and enabling from staff.
Collecting souvenirs from outings and bus trips help to cement new memories and life orientation and your residents can still enjoy the memories and experiences of their time outside for many days and weeks to come. Other related activities can include removing and collecting various stones and large seeds from fruit such as peaches, avocado, plums, and collecting large seed pods, pine cones, interesting bark formation and twigs. These items can then be displayed and sketched as part of still life drawing, seasonal orientation or they can be used for decoration, sensory activities and reminiscing.
Donations
If you are finding our free resource ideas and website useful to your work and studies, please consider making a donation online via Paypal or Credit Card.
Your donations are used for researching new resource ideas and items with residents in local nursing homes as well as Christmas gifts for residents who have no visitors. Any donation, no matter how small is greatly valued and appreciated.
We have put together 2 certificates of appreciation that you can download and print off for your staff, carers and volunteers. Showing appreciation to those around you that help enhance the comfort, social and wellbeing needs of others is both a productive and professional way to sow into those that give of their time in various ways and capacities.
Morning tea appreciation, staff hand massages, Thank You days and celebrations with gifts of appreciation and acknowledgment for long service, diverse cultures, difficult areas of work, going above the call of duty...recognition, thank you and encouragement for the future help to invest in a healthy community of workers and solid and unified culture of carers. We recognise that this is not always easy, but saying thank can go a long way to building a solid foundation for the future of your care work environment!
Magazines and reading material in residential care
Our research with magazines with residents experiencing dementia has shown some interesting results so far. Residents experiencing moderate to late stage dementia have responded positively to certain types of magazines. Glossy real estate magazines with more pictures than words have engaged people's attention for up to an hour as they busy themselves turning each page and looking at the photographs. Home style magazines, architecture and internal decor are also of interest. Painting colour charts from Bunnings for example are tactile and soothing with pastel colour sample squares and different textured surfaces to touch. We have observed ladies with dementia comparing colour samples and feeling the textured surfaces. Suitable reading material that is minimal and not cluttered with lots of pictures and words on each page may benefit your readers. Notebook Magazine is beneficial with dementia as the colour schemes used are visually soothing and many of the photos contain easily recognisable content such as flower arrangements, cottage style decor, foods, plants and outdoor design etc. There are also simple projects such as cutting out bookmarks and reading proverbs and thoughts for the day.
Why not advertise on your noticeboard for magazines such as Notebook, Country Lifestyle, Better Homes, gardening, fishing and sports related material. You can build up a range to suit a variety of interests and people among your group and those donating can be made aware of the benefits of recycling their unwanted magazines.
Dementia Reading Resources - Specially created for reading groups with dementia, Lauretta Kaldor's Dementia Reading Books are now available to purchase through FutureAge Care. A blend of very large print sentences mixed with imagery and adult non-fiction story themes, they are valuable and essential reading resources for your clients with dementia. We use these resources with our clients and the benefits have included relearning speech and pronunciation, enhancing cognitive skills and memory and greater concentration among readers. Three books and more to come in the series - view our Resource webpage to find out more.
Mirror Mirror
Mirror Mirror is the name for one of our interactive discussion groups, suitable for mixed groups including those experiencing dementia and low level participation. The concept of Mirror Mirror is this: inspirational poetry, story or quotations combined with themed tactile objects relevant to your chosen topics. This activity can be a short 1/2 hour activity or a longer event tailored to suit your group and room size. We suggest:
• Large print copies of a poem, inspirational story or quotes (use scriptures if hosting a spirituality-themed activity for example)
• Themed tactile props for your group eg: antique mirror, jewellery, leaves, fresh flowers, shells, twigs, old book, travel postcards, scripture cards etc – items that are relevant to your discussion theme
Method: As some group members take turns to recite a line or two of your large print reading material, have ready a few conversation starters, such as what is the poem about, what interesting words are used and how do you think the author was feeling? Let your discussion head naturally into what may even become unchartered territory. Pass around your objects and let every person feel included regardless of their level of participation. Use eye contact, direct smiles, laughter, touch and sit next to someone who may be feeling isolated or who needs greater encouragement to be involved. You can even make up a rummage box of items relevant to your theme and these can be given to those with dementia or who passively participate to hold and explore.
Aims: Mirror Mirror has taken us in many directions and it doesn’t always have to be about reminisce or general discussion. We have used Mirror Mirror to gently address behavioural issues with some residents such as aggression towards others, negativity toward staff or those with dementia, or arguments that occur between people. We have found that in a relaxed and non threatening environment, many residents have appreciated the opportunity to reflect on their own life and character and even allow themselves to be challenged personally, hence the name Mirror Mirror – looking at oneself with thoughtful reflection. We have all enjoyed this refreshing challenge together and enjoyed benefits such as open and honest discussion, becoming “others focussed” and allowing our friends with dementia to feel included in the social, tactile and intimate aspects of the group’s focus. By sitting next to residents who require greater stimulation we have found that they respond more easily when hearing your voice close by, having greater eye contact and the benefits of assistance and prompting with the tactile objects. You will be surprised where Mirror Mirror takes you.
Tip: Useful poetry and inspirational quotes and websites: www.great-inspirational-quotes.com, Dreamtime Stories and artwork: www.australianmuseum.net.au/Stories-of-the-Dreaming (Indigenous short stories that can create interesting, simple discussion on life and learning, plus interesting artwork relating to the stories.)
To enhance your activity further and especially if working with larger groups seated over a large layout, we also have added additional sensory interests such as background music relevant to the theme (eg didgeridoo and relaxing bird sounds). We use fragrance where appropriate and with our Dreamtime Mirror Mirror Workshop we added bush fragrant essential oil drops to a soft Koala for a lady with dementia who responds well to touch. Topped off with afternoon tea, this makes for a 5-sensory delight and, we hope, something beneficial and stimulating for everyone.
Human Library - reminisce, affirm identity, share life experiences...
The Human Library is an interesting idea created in Europe that can be adapted to your home’s social group time. The concept is for people to be “loaned” out as human books for a short time (eg 30 minutes) to tell their story and answer any questions that the “book borrower” may have about their experiences. Examples could be a person talking about their experiences as a teacher, living in a rural area, adopting children, war story, living with illness and ageing experiences, emigrating…there is no limit to the possibilities.
"When an old person dies, it is as if a library has burned down." - African Proverb.
Your residents need to choose a topic of interesting life experiences that they feel comfortable with sharing. You might want to include yourself and nursing staff in this event. The Human Library can be used as a simple discussion group, or extended to something larger such as a fundraising event/Open Day, interaction with a local school, or a resident and family social to get to know your residents better. Opportunities for people to tell their story helps to validate who they are, allows time for reminisce and memory enhancing and helps to personalise them to other residents and staff. Please write to us if you run a Human Library activity – we would love to hear your stories…
Buddy Program
The Buddy Program is aimed at helping your new and socially isolated residents, by buddying them up with other friendly residents at your home. Residents can provide encouragement, social conversation and companion support. The aim of the Buddy Program is to encourage and help residents connect socially with each other to avoid isolation and depression. A lady experiencing sundowning at 4pm every afternoon was taken to visit residents in their rooms, to chat with them and keep them company until dinner time. Being part of this social support for others helped distract her from her own anxiety at this time of day.
Some facilities have a buddy system in operation, where residents are taken to visit other residents and floors in their home to provide daily social support. This can be a great support to staff and helps develop a culture of being 'others focussed' amongst residents as well.
We have used the Buddy Program effectively as a sundowning program for those who become restless and agitated in the later afternoon. Your resident becomes a buddy to you and to those that you visit together and we recommend that you consider the Buddy Program as an opportunity for residents to help you and those around them with a social visit and friendly smile.
Community Connect
This is aimed at helping residents stay connected to their community and participating in projects to help others. Reading the local news and affairs to your group, discuss and find an area that your group can help with. Eg writing cards & notes of encouragement to residents living at another local nursing home (pen pals); or sending get well cards to the children's hospital. Write an inspirational letter together to be sent to victims of bushfires, floods, farmers in drought areas etc. Include a return address so that the organisation or those involved can send a reply if they wish.
Maybe your organisation has the funds to sponsor a child from Compassion for eg, which can become your residents' responsibility to write letters to, send cards and stories about their own childhood and important memories. If not, there will most likely be at least one staff member who sponsors a child from overseas that your residents can write to and enjoy reading their letters back, school reports and photo updates.
Display a poster of who you have helped each month. Think of a name for your group and encourage community spirit amongst your group.
Seasonal projects can include knitting thick socks and scarves for other residents, writing Christmas cards to local small business in need of encouragement, wrapping gifts for organisations that deliver presents for children in need. Don’t forget to write to us too – we love to hear your amazing stories of help!
Life History
Alzheimer's Australia has a Personal Life History Booklet. Here is what they have written about this valuable resource: This booklet has been designed to collect the unique social and life history of an individual with dementia. This life history will help individualise the care of the person with dementia and maintain their identity. It will also help people caring for the individual to know them and develop strong relationships with them.
As everybody is an individual this booklet has been designed to be adapted. Space is provided in the booklet for photos and objects which are important.
The booklet may also be used to promote reminiscence with the person. It does not provide information about how to conduct reminiscence, however, a bibliography featuring books on reminiscence and other relevant subjects has been included in the appendix. Brief definitions of dementia, individualised care and reminiscence are also outlined in the appendix.
Pages have been included within the appendix to note when and how the booklet is used with the person with dementia and their reactions to its use.Alzheimer's Australia encourage us to make copies of the booklet to use with residents.
It has also had a favourable response with accreditation. To download this booklet, click on the following link:
Alzheimer's Australia and enter the words "life history" in the search field.
Whatever your activity or leisure time focus with your residents, we believe that there is perhaps nothing as important for people as your engaging eye contact with them. We have spent many hours with people from different backgrounds, cultures, ages, abilities and infirmities. Solid eye contact with a person has helped on many occasions: it assures the person that you are interested in them; it proves to them that you are acknowledging them (even if there are language barriers); it can help you engage their concentration for longer. It can also help you determine a person's reactions and responses better, thus maximising the benefits of your activity/time spent together.
Try spending a few extra moments a day engaging eye contact with people in your life, especially when they are telling you something. You will be amazed at the difference it can make.
To subscribe to our free bi-monthly activity and lifestyle newsletter email: info@futureagecare.com and enjoy the latest from the field: activity ideas, promotions and information from other organisations and professionals. Subscribe today via email and receive a regular valuable tool for your working role.
Our Empower e-Newsletters are free and are emailed out to you every 2 months. However, if you would like to subscribe for just $10, click on the Add to cart button below. Every $10 helps to fund our time and research compiling the newsletters each year.
Your Gift to a Client..
If you are wishing to help in some way but are not sure how to go about it, why not consider donating $45 for someone who lives in long-term care to have a Sound and Sensory Therapy program from FutureAge Care?
Your donation of $45 will enable a person in need of a specialised therapy to have a 30 minute treatment consisting of sounds and music and multisensory enrichment by our trained therapist. Not everyone who lives in long-term care or with high care needs can access the treatments and therapies that they need and this can be a way of ensuring that they not only receive a treatment, but that they receive a concise documented report for the ongoing staff at the facility to enable them for future support of the client.
You will receive a documented report from FutureAge Care of the therapy which is also signed and approved from the nursing care manager or relative of the client as confirmation of your donation and where it has gone. $45.00
Exploring the Sensory Room, audio teaching CD
Exploring the Sensory Room is a 25 minute presentation that explores the benefits, planning and implementation of a Sensory Room/Snoezelen Room, or mobile sensory environment at your facility.
With a range of ideas, themes, creative suggestions and examples to consider, be inspired and have your own senses tantalised with an example of audio sound effects and concept ideas.
Learn how to confidently create a multi-sensory environment for use with your frail elderly residents, people with dementia, and those experiencing anxiety or depression.
Multi-sensory environments allow your residents to continue enjoying the pleasures, stimulation and experiences of everyday life, holidays, nature, weather elements, seasons and much more. These specifically designed environments can enhance life, provide avenues for therapies, promote areas away from a sterile, medical environment and much more.
Lauretta Kaldor has reviewed this resource and has commented that it is an easy listening CD that can also be played in the car whilst driving to work. She says it is a good foundational teaching for getting started with Sensory Rooms and learning the basics for implementing a Sensory Room or area.
Exploring the Sensory Room CD is inspiring and informative and comes with a bonus track of special ambient sound samples for your multi-sensory programs Price: $26.00
Gentle exercise helps form a balanced, healthy lifestyle for us all, and our residents in care and day care centres can enjoy the same opportunities with careful planning and consideration. From gentle walks, to yoga, exercise programs, ball exercises, stretching, massage, dancing and music making, there are many ideas on offer. Always consult with your onsite or visiting physiotherapist, physio assistant or qualified staff. If there is not a regular, daily physio program at your facility, consider and discuss ways with your colleagues that you can implement some exercise through the day for your participants. Your residents will have increased wellbeing, suppleness and improved circulation, leading to a happier, healthier lifestyle in general.
The DVD has 3 relaxing films: Lavender, Poppies and Sunflowers, set to the calming and inspiring piano music of Simon Daum.
Four further tracks contain natural ambient sounds: Three Natural Decoration tracks show a lavender landscape, a field of lavender, and a bright field of sunflowers, and a track of Soothing Scenes offers a flowery mix of slowly changing shots, fields and countryside.
(Poppies Film for Remembrance Sunday for eg) a backdrop to Art programs to assist with cognitive stimulation and imagination, Flower Arranging, prelude to gardening, sensory enrichment and this DVD is a great asset to Colour Therapy.
It can also be used as a late afternoon activity for ladies experiencing sundowning. (Some or all items you may wish to keep safe in a locked draw, or you can leave out those items that you feel safe to leave on display for use anytime). 
