Forum Discussion

Hi Wendy
I would say any help is great as long as they stay focused on what you are doing
What I would do with a group with a different interests and different abilities, as I would do one to one with in the group
In other words, I would set up each person with some thing that I like, and then have a conversation among group members but what each was doing you may have to facilitate the conversation, depending on the level of ability of the group member
This article may help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-support-mentally-alert-clients-in-mixed-group-environments/4992/
There is a math activity that you could do
https://www.goldencarers.com/fun-and-lively-math-group-games-for-the-elderly/5845/

Hi again, Wendy
If you have help, split the group
One good activity that usually includes everybody is music
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/

Another one is good is dice games
https://www.goldencarers.com/dice-games-for-the-elderly/5307/

You should do each activity for about half an hour and then take a break like have a snack or a drink

Another good activity is reading a story
Especially chicken soup for the soul stories

Make sure you make them interactive

I like I triple E
I involve include everyone
I am enthusiastic excited and engaging with all activities

Thanks, Susan. I'm mainly just getting exhausted doing it all myself. I do music stuff a LOT. I've heard stories are good, I typically look up "Good News Network" online and find an inspiring story, but I like the Chicken Soup for the Soul idea!! I'll ask my boss to purchase that for me.

Thanks again!

Hi Wendy,
Working in a Memory Unit is tough and exhausting. There should be 2 CNA's with you. Help them learn to engage. Some preferred doing nothing but others were awesome and would color or build things. Doing things that people have always done is a good start. IE. keep a basket of laundry handy, socks to sort, towels to fold. find old or cheap calendars to make picture books. Find out what their favorite music is. Family photo albums are good for 1:1's. I like to have plenty of sponge brushes, painters tape, watercolors and paper or canvases handy. Sorting activities can be fun. I really enjoyed one volunteer who would do a few activities for an hour and she brought her preschoolers with her. If you have outdoor space spend time outside, Watering and garden work are familiar to many people.
One caution is about keeping unsafe items away, I had a resident eat a styrofoam Easter Egg. Another drank the blue non-toxic dye. No scissors. Etc.
Get creative- I used to sing and dance with a resident on our way to the toilet. (she was mostly uncooperative otherwise). You are my Sunshine really can be a dance song, lol.
If you want help with motivation and behavior challenges, look up Teepa Snow podcasts.
See if anyone close is presenting Dementia Dialogues. Education and reminders are great.
PS. We loved bus rides. I drove along a lake and one resident talked about taking his family waterskiing. When we got back he told his family that he had been waterskiing. He passed the next week. So glad I could take him on one last ride.

Thanks, Andrea!!
I see lots of suggestions to sort things, but am having trouble thinking of how to get a group of people to sort something (I'm asked to do primarily group stuff, little 1:1). What do they sort? I thought perhaps colored beads? Artwork has been a bit tricky to get them to do, too, but I keep trying.
We do lots of singing and I try to get some to dance with me, as they are capable. Also like to get them outside as much as possible.
Sometimes one CNA will sit in the room, and few who I can get to engage (language and culture barriers), although sometimes someone will help with bingo.
I will check out more of Teepa's podcasts, thanks.

Hello Wendy! My situation is exactly mirroring yours. It is exhausting, (though fulfilling too!!)! I was wondering how you keep your residents engaged? That’s the problem I’m having, the previous assistant was mostly TV and music motivated where I am just taking over and more hands on, it’s hard to get them out of the old way of spending their days sitting and watching TV. Before taking over I talked to families about their loved ones likes and dislikes, and then set up life stations accordingly. ( 1. Writing station. 2. Laundry station. 3. Nursery station with reborn babies and robotic animals. All which get utilized daily.) however they prefer the TV. I think I’ll check out the podcast @Andrea suggested But again it is hard doing it by myself and keeping the motivation going for them to engage as their stages are variable too.

That is tough to do in just 30 hours. I would develop individual activity kits such as sock matching, baby clothes folding, adult coloring, stringing beads (if resident won't swallow when unattended), cuddling baby doll, large jigsaws etc. and set up residents with these so you can accomplish planning, cleaning, set up and breaks. Definitely the C.N.A.s should be close by to assist residents with toileting, keeping things out of mouth, helping to prevent falls etc while you are doing group activities. I wouldn't ever turn on tv while you are there.

Wendy, the waterskiing!!! Love it!! <3