Profile

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT From South Australia, Australia Australia flag

Hi, I was an EN for 24 yrs but due to a bad back retrained in Diploma Community Services Leisure and Lifestyle at TAFE SA. I have been in lifestyle for 8 yrs.

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

7 years ago

OP shops are a great source of cheap prizes. My favourites are: buying bulk bags of stuffed ( good quality) toys, small ornaments and jewellery. Also we have sachets of different flavoured coffees and...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

7 years ago

How to Create a Culture of Happiness

We have a lot of fun with impromptu dancing in any area. Just put on a CD with suitable music ( any fun dance music) and before we know it there's a disco going on!! Care staff join in as well.

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

7 years ago

Ask the men themselves! Give a few suggestions to start the ball rolling. :)

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

7 years ago

Hi, we recently did a collage and turned it into an "I spy" board. The residents and staff cut out images from magazines, they coloured in Mandalas and cut them out, collected odd bits and bobs and gl...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

7 years ago

Can you "buddy" him up with another resident with similar interests and get them together for a coffee and chat about the things they like etc.

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

8 years ago

How to celebrate International Peace Day

We are going to send messages of peace, in helium balloons, to the community. First we will discuss what peace means and then write the messages on small cards tied to the balloons.

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

8 years ago

We occasionally use incense for relaxation, this we put outside but it wafts inside through the window. Early mornings when ADL's are done or the occasional offensive smell occurs, we use an air fr...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

Hi everyone, I have a handy hint. I have found a that "Google Translate" is the best I have found for translating languages. Not only does it give you the translation in that countries written word bu...

1 Reply

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

Do any other Lifestyle coordinators have carer staff doing all activity shifts? If so what education do you give them besides daily documentation? I tried to have an education session but no one turne...

2 Replies

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

HI everyone, I have to set up an induction/ orientation check list to use when new lifestyle staff (usually untrained) start. Any ideas? I guess the usual documentation training, where equipment is k...

2 Replies

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

How about; lavender sachets for the ladies and car air fresheners (paper ones) for the men, travel size shampoo and conditioner, tissues and body spray (try Reject shop for $1 bargains), op shops for...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

Yes ...I did a two week long "Time and Motion" study on my daily work. I included all those little things that get us waylaid, as well as all the main duties. Yes it is time consuming but I gained ext...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

HI, the best thing to do is have a box tailored to that resident's interests eg a mechanic might have old spark plugs and tools and car magazines or a seamstress have old zips and cottons, dress patte...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

She is possibly hitting out due to frustration, fear and confusion , all which lead to anger. If you have tried the usual diversion tactics here is an idea we use with some success. Make up a laminate...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

https://agedcarecomplaints.govspace.gov.au/2011/09/27/new-booklets-brochures-fact-sheets-and-posters-about-the-aged-care-complaints-scheme-are-now-available/#.VMcgirBO6AY http://www.agedrights.asn.au...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

I used old pillowcases. They can be pulled onto the basic overway table or just on a lap.

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

We have had a dress-up day for PJ day as well. Depending on your residents you could; have a bedtime story hour and read the old classic fairytales; Play games but modify them to the theme eg: pin the...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

9 years ago

Perhaps you could find little cardboard suitcases from a craft store and paint and decorate with printed off little pictures of travel/luggage stickers (Google image is good for this) or cut out pict...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

10 years ago

15 Sensory Activities for Late Stage Alzheimer's

We have a sensory basket. It is an old wicker picnic basket filled with things to touch and do. EG: different textured material, feather boa, scourer pad, I spy bag, artificial flower ( we spray it wi...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

10 years ago

Try playing DVD concerts of bands from the 70's and 80's ,( ask your residents who were their fav ) and turn up the volume and get them dancing and singing! Print out pictures of iconic food, people...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

10 years ago

I use non alcoholic wine which is bubbly and "pops" when uncorked. It looks and tastes like the real thing and lots of fun to open. Also try mock cocktails, recipes are on the "net".

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

10 years ago

Colouring-in for May

Try searching "page boarders" in Google images. You will find images that you can save to "picture" on your computer then print off to colour. (Do a "print pre-view" first to see if the picture is the...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

10 years ago

Doll Therapy and Dementia

At our facility we use a "reborn" doll which is life-like for 1x1 or group therapy use and the usual kind of baby doll for our dementia unit were residents wander and or hold the dolls all the time. W...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

10 years ago

Remembering the clothesline

A game that would go great with this: Put up a line and fill with pegs. Each player takes a turn taking off pegs with one hand, holding them the whole time and not dropping or putting any down. Th...

Answer

Cathy

Lifestyle Coordinator/ DT

10 years ago

I have had a car club and a seniors motorcycle club come and visit. The men get to have a look and a ride in some and lots of chatting to the owners and reminiscing. We have visited an airplane museum...

Answer