Member Profile:
Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
From Maryland, United States 
About Molly: Molly Wisniewski is a freelance writer for the aging services. She has cared for older adults living with dementia for over ten years. Her blog the Upside to Aging is dedicated to sharing an alternative and more positive side to aging.
17 Activities
206 Comment
21st Apr 2019
Activity Professional & Writer
What a beautiful reminder, thank you! It can be easy to lose sight of why we do what we do, but you are right; the benefits are in the smallest of moments when working with the residents.
I think that the articles that Solange and Susan shared are wonderful resources!
Best,
Molly
21st Apr 2019
Activity Professional & Writer
Thanks for sharing - I agree the only paperwork we give out is for sing-alongs, too!
I've had great success with Idioms or Finish my Sentence exercises when working with residents with dementia. Here are some articles I've used from Golden Carers:
https://www.goldencarers.com/finish-the-sayings-and-proverbs-game/4848/
https://www.goldencarers.com/animal-idioms-quiz/5173/
19th Mar 2019
Activity Professional & Writer
Implicit and Explicit Bias in Senior Care
18th Feb 2019
Activity Professional & Writer
10th Feb 2019
Activity Professional & Writer
What an exciting opportunity for you to build a stellar activities program! It does sound like your residents are getting acquainted with their new living space maybe you could start incorporating socials like an afternoon tea/coffee https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-host-a-high-tea-party/3435/, or a meet and greet party where you invite their family members to join. If that is too forward, maybe do an arts and crafts session that allows them to work on a piece to decorate their new room.
Here is a great article on social inclusion you may want to check out: https://www.goldencarers.com/16-ways-to-promote-social-inclusion-in-senior-care/5722/
10th Feb 2019
Activity Professional & Writer
With a tag, they will most likely want to see actionable items that staff will have to complete. For instance,
Activities staff will provide 1:1 visits three times a week for 15 minutes each visit.
Resident enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching T.V. staff will provide new music, books, and movie options during 1:1 visits to ensure the resident maintains their preferred daily routine.
Activity staff will provide meaningful interactions during 1:1 visits by engaging the resident in conversation, reminiscing, or any other specific preferences the resident may have.
Activity staff has notified nurses, aids, and family members of the residents 1:1 schedule, and has offered in-room activity ideas that can be done while visiting or providing care.
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We have been utilizing Golden Cares for several years now, and we honestly can't (and don't want to) remember life before stumbling upon your site. We believe our residents' lives have been enriched due to a diverse and exciting activity regime, much to do with your priceless resource(s). Thank you for helping us to care for our seasoned citizens. :)
Linda Small
Caregiver
United States
Forum
Nesha sounds like you are having a ton of fun with the residents! There are also a few cost-saving ways to have large events. Team up with a local elementary school and invite the choir to perform for your residents or we once had a hospice agency throw a casino day for our residents and a Mary-Kay makeover day with the residents at no cost because it was a part of their outreach efforts. Or if you are looking for a musician reach out to a local university to see if any of their students want to perform (which is great for their resume!)
Also, consider the talents of your fellow staff and residents! We put on a comedy show for free by asking residents and staff to be involved that activity example is in this article https://www.goldencarers.com/laughing-together---five-activities-to-get-residents-smiling-/5430/.