Debbie

Hi Jackie. I'm sure they had the most funny experience watching me play golf, with this they had more enthusiasm to play bowls and tennis.
Golf was a bit hard for them. Having a commpetition with prizes and participation works well too. Good luck Debbie nz

Hi What are sensory mats excuse my ignorance

I usually never tell them what is on so they dont get the chance to say we dont want to come, so they come because they are curious. Have had a few that never come down so I have asked if the cleaners could clean their room. While they are waiting for the room or rooms to be cleaned they get brought into the lounge or where the activities may be. The first few times they watch then curiosity gets them and now they are atting slowly. Better than not at all. If you have time build a repore with them so they think that you have got time for them..Don't give up they will come around.

Pass the parcel and you pass it around until it lands on the birthday person where they open it to find an extra little thing for the birthday person. I find that everybody gets excited to find out what extras could be hidden..Happyhou is always a good thing some times i even get an entertainer that can gives them extra attention. Or you could just take the birthday people out to lunch. Or take them to a vidio store so they can choose a vidio to take back to the home and share watching it while you serve small icecream cones.. Just a thought or two thats what I do depending on the birthday people celebrating

Thanks Monika, Our residents aren't used to a mid christmas Day and while being off on sick leave they planned one. Result When it came to christmas time everybody was so confused....Love the Idea of a Winter Feast, Thankyou for solving a on going problem....Debs

Dear Sandra, thats exactly what I did with the residence but I drew the steeple track on a black cloth with chalk, tables were placed in a horseshoe shape. As the residence were sitting in around the table they had turns with their horses. with each turn I got the pianist to make the galloping sound , was quite entertaining. I hope you had fun as the residence in nz were really excited.

Hi Pam, I don't know what country you are from but I have found going to the country and visiting animals,
touching of there coats and feeding horses etc. The smell of them brings back those sences that are sometimes lost. the other trips I do is taking them to the seaside and walking or just touching the sand. Walking in the water or just being near the sea watching the waves, birds etc. Going to a lake and having a picnic, Watching kids preform at a school as in nz we can take them to watch the choir, orchestra playing. Going to a museum with the arts as all these can bring back their inabitions of past experiences. If you like I can send you some things. Thanks Debbie

Hi Annie, You are so lucky I work in a facility for 43 residence and get paid 14.50 nz but i don,t have a certificate I have been a DT for 11 years and have got caregiving experience behind me. On tthe down side we are under paid and over worked. Wouldn't be in this job except I just love the residence. They have become like family. Have heard that some in this country are on about 16 dollars per hr...Very interested in everybodys response...
Thanks Debbie

dear robyn I will take this comment on board as it is like that you always think you could have done a little bit more.I suppose I am hard on myself just want the residents to have fun through there transition of getting older and coping away from home....And try to make it as homely as possible. They are my life I carnt even turn off when at home and when I shop I am always looking for things for them eg presents crafts and different places to visit..Thanks again for the comments..NZ get only half of what the dts get in Australia. But I work for the resis.....It would be nice for a pay rise. ahe....

I agree with all the comments below NO 1 Our police is 5 to one ratio in the van and outings in the community. Need a volunteer for any wheelchairs and walkers as while your attending them your helper, volunteer etc can be looking after the other resis incase of wondering etc....It is just a shame in our facility I don't get any help and everything is done with the resis..morning tea and lunches etc are all on my own as for the caregivers helping with the resis to get to outings I have asked those that have been dressed and showered etc to then bring them down to activities..When they have finished morning tea or lunch bring them to where I am going to be whether it is for a trip lounge sunroom etc... I can tell you this but it is an on going battle there excuse is they have there own work to do.....and so on...I do morning teas for them from the resis and I do fundraising so they can have a really fun night out even to the extent of decorating tables with thankyou notes etc. Boss just makes the remark that your only there babysitter...I get quite offended by this as the care and resposibilty we have is so much more greater..For example RN has to ask me what is what with there health there dislikes what can they do etc...We have so much paper work that repeats itself and your forms are very simular to ours but our facility is double..I think the only people that understand what is going on in a dts life from day to day is all of us...I say I love my job but this sight has helped me with support and you don.t feel as if your working all on your on....Ps sorry for the gripe but I don't even have a place of my own to do my work...Question do others have a office or commputer or anything I have to do all my stuff like this at night.