Profile
Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
From
Nelson,
New Zealand
Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
We recently armchair travelled to Italy, I decorated dining room to make it look like Italian restaurant, and we made home made pizzas, drank cappuccinos and listened to Dean Martin Italian music. Tho...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Dice & Card Matching Game
I have played this game twice with my memory care residents and they are much better at understanding the concept earlier in the day rather than after lunch when they are tired. Using large soft colo...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Sensory Lavender Rice & Chamomile Dough for Dementia
We did this today, and the residents seem to enjoy it. We added in food colouring to change colour of dough for the extra visual sensory experience. Some of the Lavender Rice ended up in the Chamomile...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
How to Celebrate Chocolate Milkshake Day
We did this yesterday and it was very successful. I set up a milkshake making area with ice cream, milk, straws, cups and the choice of 2 flavours and assisted the dementia residents make their own sh...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
8 Tips for Planning Successful Dog Visits for Seniors
Canine friends in NZ offer a Pet therapy service by matching up Pets to Resthome residents. We have a dog that comes into our memory care unit once a fortnight and our residents love it. 2 have taken...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
How to Communicate with Body Language
Never under estimate the power of touch. A simple hand massage or a cuddle goes a long way to making a lonely elderly person feel special. I use these techniques a lot in the dementia unit I work in....
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Thanks, some great ideas. Love the stars from ceiling and interviews on the red carpet.
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
I am organising a Hollywood themed fine dining evening in August. Can you give me some suggestions as this is my first one. I am thinking Red carpet, dress as your favourite classic movie star. Any co...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Bird Types Matching Game
We did this yesterday and found them really engaged, which for a memory care area is sometimes hard. We started by putting home made bird seed feeders into trees on our courtyard, then putting photos...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Games We Played as Kids Quiz
Get the staff involved, especially with the hula hooping, gets the residents really laughing.
Also remember to ask residents what other games they played, it gets them reminiscing and gives you good...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Scent Guessing
I created a sensory theme afternoon, with essential oils burning, strawberry scented candles, lava lamps, salt lamps, electric lighting, soothing music, herbs to smell, salted dough and mystery bean b...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Tea Tasting
I organised this with two different groups and each one got very positive feedback. Set the table nicely with colourful tablecothes, lace doilies, fresh flowers, china cups and saucers and little teap...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
How to make a Dream Catcher
We made these using old doilies as the centre piece and tied them onto ring with wool. We then dangled craft acrylic with beads and feathers attached. The residents really liked the end result and loo...
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Christine
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Registered Diversional & Recreational Therapist
Competitive Tabletop Badminton Balloon Bowling (it makes sense, I promise)
We played this today, and it was a lot of fun. Participants laughed and enjoyed using long pool noodles to bat the balloon and knock down the bowling pins. Great game! There was a few observing that u...
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Diane Mccuish
Recreation Team Leader
“
Thank you so much for allowing us to share all the wonderful ideas that are on Golden Carers. It is so helpful, inspiring and they give our residents so much fun and the feeling of achievement once we have completed them. It is great that we can spread the days out and do a lot over time rather than in one session. THANK YOU ALL
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