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Angie 29th Jun 2019 Activities Director
Suggestions on how to help a patient with dementia who likes to push other residents wheel chairs. not good eye sight
any suggestions would be great
Thank you
Susan 30th Jun 2019 Activity Director
Here are some suggestions on golden Carers for activities
https://www.goldencarers.com/20-practical-activities-for-people-living-with-alzheimers-disease/3778/
You probably will have to remind the person who likes to push the wheelchairs not to do tha you probably will have to remind the person who likes to push the wheelchairs not to do that
You can make up some excuse as to why they cannot do that
Then offer them an alternative activity
Do you have an activity cart that they can push
Perhaps you can have a cart With light weight books that they can push

If you don’t want them to push anything then say the staff must do the pushing and provide an alternative activity for them such as the ones suggested
Also talk to them about other things that they like to do
Elle 30th Jun 2019 Recreation Officer
Hi Angie! One great alternative is having pram or stroller with baby dolls inside. This helps residents with Dementia, preoccupied. At times, they would also hold the dolls (specially ones that talks or make sounds) bringing back their nurturing behavior. Of course, monitoring is always required.
Susan 30th Jun 2019 Activity Director
Thank you Ella for your suggestion
If you decide to use this idea and you may want to think about doll therapy it’s often very effective to some with Alzheimer’s or dementia

https://www.goldencarers.com/doll-therapy-and-dementia/4319/
Molly 1st Jul 2019 Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Angie, we would ask these residents to help us push our activity carts! It always seemed to work for a time especially is we were walking with them.
Teresa 1st Jul 2019 Activity Director
What did this resident do for a career? Ask the resident (when actually pushing someone) why they are moving the wheelchair. Depending on where they are at in their disease process the person living with dementia could be “helping someone get somewhere” could be “pushing the baby carriage” could be push a shopping cart could be volunteering. Could think it is their property could think it is in their way of moving forward.....You need to jump into where their mindset is and see what they are trying to accomplish before you can truly help. If they do not verbally communicate then you need to really be aware of what’s happening at that time. Watch not only the resident, but the environment, the time of day, the body language, the temperment.
Susan 1st Jul 2019 Activity Director
Good thoughts Teresa thank you
Penny 5th Jul 2019
We have a grocery cart, for our residents to push. It gives them good stability and they can store things in it. We have a mini grocery store cabinet they can visit and put things in the cart. It is used quite often, the men like it too.
Susan 6th Jul 2019 Activity Director
This sounds like a great idea Penny where did you get the grocery cart I can see people with dementia wanting to use it
Susan 6th Jul 2019 Activity Director
This sounds like a great idea Penny where did you get the grocery cart I can see people with dementia wanting to use it
Penny 6th Jul 2019
I’ve worked at two facilities where we did this. We got one cart donated from a local grocery store. At the other facility we purchased it for $110..
Susan 7th Jul 2019 Activity Director
Thank you for the information Penny I am sure it will be helpful

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