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Susan 24th Sep 2019 Activities Co Ordinator

Hi I am a activities co- ordinator in a 37 bed care home most have various stages of dementia, I have 1 particular resident who is deaf and the only communication is by writing things down for her, recently she has been depressed because she can’t speak to anyone. I have tried all sorts to get her to join in with the activities but she refuses, I buy her a good selection of magazines because she loves to read I go through the magazines with her I give her facials manicures and do famous faces but I am really struggling had to what to do next. Has anyone any suggestions.

Solange 24th Sep 2019 Diversional Therapist

Hi Susan, you're doing a good job. To add t it could try radio plays - drama or comedy; they are very entertaining. A volunteer could visit weekly to talk and read trivia/short stories. High function residents could also visit for a chat and a cuppa. She also may enjoy feeling cooperative; ask her to unravel a sweater to recycle the wool. Another idea is finding out her favourite foods/treats and offering it to her occasionally.

Susan 25th Sep 2019 Activity Director

I agree you are doing a good job
Solange also has some good ideas
You may want to try this
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/7852/
This article might help also
https://www.goldencarers.com/14-tips-for-communicating-with-people-who-have-hearing-loss/3872/

Another thing to do is to ask her for her help in designing an activity that no one can speak at such as a an activity where you or a volunteer and she design a quiz on paper where the answers are yes or no
Make copies of the paper and hand them out at the activity you can have her design paper plates with numbers one through however many questions they there are one number on each plate
At the activity you put up the number of the question
The residents at the activity have to show something where the answer is yes or no
You can use a paper plate one side says yes the other side says no
She could design and make these for their activity also
This may be time consuming so you may need a volunteer to help
Let us know how this turns out and if you have any quizzes to share with us
Thank you

Solange 4th Oct 2019 Diversional Therapist

Hi Susan, you're doing a good job. To add to it you could try radio plays - drama or comedy; they are very entertaining. A volunteer could visit weekly to talk and read trivia/short stories. High function residents could also visit for a chat and a cuppa. She also may enjoy feeling cooperative; ask her to unravel a sweater to recycle the wool. Another idea is finding out her favourite foods/treats and offering it to her occasionally.

Caron 8th Oct 2019 Lifestyle Officer

Hi Susan I think your doing a great job with this resident Sometimes we put to much pressure on ourselves I have learnt that if you and the resident share in an activity that brings joy and happiness to her then you have done your job
It’s the residents choice if they don’t want to join in with other residents and activities it sounds like this resident enjoys your one on one with her ♥️

Susan 8th Oct 2019 Activity Director

Thanks Caron for your encouragement

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