Post

Hi Megan

Your situation can be difficult

Have you tried any of these activities??

https://www.goldencarers.com/search/#stq=late%20stage%20dementia%20activities&stp=1

What about simple card games or dice games

Often times you have to be the facilitator to bring the group together or as you say one to one with in a group

Megan,

I am struggling with the same. I have 34 residents, and it is just me. I struggle getting them to come to activities, and keeping them engaged. What works today, doesn't work tomorrow, It is a struggle playing even the simplest of games. We have a subsrciption to Activity Connection also, and the music activities are great, I make play lists of music, and try to have visuals to go with the music ( Umbrella- Singing in the rain, Blue shoe- Blue suede shoes.. etc) if I don't have an actual prop, I have colored pictures. I will show them the prop, and start the music, and have them guess the song. It seems like a lot, but I sometimes will have "stations" set up, so we can do the more "hands on activities" (cooking and crafts that need more one to one attention) coloring table, puzzles, etc, and work with a small group doing the main activity, b/c they require so much one to one attention, then I switch groups ( with out moving them from their area (I find too many transitions pulls them away, and getting them back is difficult

Wow Katherine

Thank you for this very helpful information

It sounds like you are doing a great job

Keep up the good work

Susan, I sure am trying. I had to think outside the box. I am relatively new to this position (Activity Assistant), and it is me by myself on our memory care unit. From my understanding, we used to have lots of volunteers that came in, and families were able to visit often. I started in in June. I have relied on the experienced CNA's for input.. I don't know whether their interests/ lack of interest is COVID related (b/c of the isolation), or the dementia... I take my job to heart, and I was getting discouraged when I would only have 5- 6 people joining me, and they would fall asleep on me.. I felt like I was failing. When I would have a larger group, I would become very overwhelmed with an activity, b/c they all need some level of support. That is when I decided to do "stations", it's keeping those engaged that generally aren't always engaged, and allows me to give attention and help for more structured actvity. Sometimes it works. sometimes it doesn't though...

It’s obvious Katherine you would love the work and your residents

I agree that stations can be a good idea

You are the facilitator connecting them

Personally I like sing-alongs because Manny can get involved

I used to like table ball but with Covid it probably is not a

good idea

I like exercise groups too https://www.goldencarers.com/exercise/

The ones by Gwyneth are simple

Card games also work well

https://www.goldencarers.com/playing-cards-all-inclusive-games-for-seniors/5236/

I also like dice games

https://www.goldencarers.com/dice-games-for-the-elderly/5307/

My favorite is one because you can include residents of all abilities

As I’m sure you know you must try to include everyone be excited and enthusiastic and engaging to be successful

Thank you again for all you do