Profile
Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
From
Maryland,
United States
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.
Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
The Seven Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
A new article has been submitted: The Seven Stages Of Alzheimer's Disease
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Angie, we would ask these residents to help us push our activity carts! It always seemed to work for a time especially is we were walking with them.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Lisa, have you tried balloon volley? I always have success with this especially for individuals with movement challenges here is a link I found on Golden Carers https://www.goldencarers.com/balloo...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Suellen, I echo everyone here. Age is never a factor in learning a new trade, especially in aging services! Activities are a great way to keep active, give back, and have fun! I think it is an exc...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Tina, how difficult this must be for the wife and all of you as you try to redirect! I've seen this a lot, and despite efforts, it is difficult to redirect permanently without a move to a new uni...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Mary,
I love the ideas offered in this thread! Trivia is a resident favorite for us and we try to get outside in the morning too if the weather is nice.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Kat,
We've only just recently started incorporating technology. The iPad is a favorite though and we've gotten some wonderful use out of it when doing 1:1's, music groups, and armchair travel....
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Heather! Here are a few ideas found here on Golden Carers!
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/19098/
https://www.goldencarers.com/cinderella-christmas-pantomime/3638/
https://www.gold...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Wow, there are so many wonderful suggestions here! Thank you, Michelle, for such a thoughtful question.
1:1 's are great ways to ensure everyone is receiving proper social pursuits.
There...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Karen,
Could you hold a raffle? We typically raffle off things like the front row parking spot, meal vouchers for the cafeteria, or an extended lunch break for staff at a $1 a ticket. We've al...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
I love that these are beneficial for those residents who stay in their room! Thank you for sharing, Liz.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Carol,
Does he have a clipboard and a badge? We once had a resident who missed his working days as well so we gave him a clipboard with a spreadsheet and a badge. We would have special projec...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Sharon,
Love this thread there so many great points!
We always have a range of participation in entertainment groups, which we typically schedule for an hour. Those that are engaged and li...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Maureen,
I love this salt garden how-to on golden carers and the lavender scent makes it a great way to calm down at the end of the day.
https://www.goldencarers.com/sensory-salt-garden/415...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Congratulations on your new job Rachel! So glad you joined the site!
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Bianca, what a great idea! We always had to make sure shot records/vaccines were up to date and that we had a copy on site available at all times. As for the pup, maybe keep him on his/her leash...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
That is how I get to my saved activities, too!
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
A very busy week indeed! We highlight each department throughout the week of National Skilled Nursing Week, and our executive team comes down and helps serve food or takes on an aspect of that depart...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
We would use Hal Lenord Songbooks, too! The Sing-Along compilation was always a resident favorite!
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Kaimraj,
Check out Golden Carers Trivia section https://www.goldencarers.com/trivia/. There are so many options to choose from. Plus there is this island trivia that references the Caribbean...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Sarah,
Social media is a great way to promote your care home and can do a wonderful job showing the general public all of the great things that happen there! I've seen these types of pages wit...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
These are great suggestions, Susan, thank you!
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
This is great to hear, Gina! Thanks for sharing.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Golden Carers has a ton of great options, or we sometimes get them from activity catalogs.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
What a wonderful way to spend the week!! I would love to hear how it goes but particularly the Goat Yoga and Companion Pet Day. I imagine that the residents would get quite a kick out of this fun act...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Nikunj, maybe light hand massages while playing soft music. If they are in a coma as Susan asked it probably is still beneficial to play soft music in the room or to talk with them even if they do...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hangman & Variations
I love the idea of the snowman! Adorable and fun. Thank you, Talita!
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
3 Ways to Practise Mindfulness with the Elderly
Thank you, Tricia, for sharing your experience and background. I love Kundalini yoga and find it fascinating that you practiced. So happy to hear you are bringing these types of practices to your re...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
3 Ways to Practise Mindfulness with the Elderly
I would love to hear how the activity goes for you, Salena! Thank you for your comment.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Susan, I love this question!!! 1:1 or person-centered activities are so rewarding and more personal than group activities. I think the best place to start is with each of the residents. The firs...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Nisha, do you walk with him? I've worked with several walkers and found that walking with them does engage them. I'll hand them water, or hold their hand or rub their back. When you sync up with...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Susan,
We highlight each department throughout the week and try to get the whole community involved - one year we even had the executive team in the dining room serving meals while the dining s...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
I love the idea of Dementia week and think that it would be a great opportunity to educate staff and residents! We celebrate Resident's Rights Week in the US and I would imagine it could be something...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Tina, we hold a luncheon celebration each year for Veterans Day. One year we invited the local VA chapter to present awards to all of our veterans, the following year we had a local school ROTC p...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Sherry, thank you for sharing what sounds to be a delightful and fun activity time with you share with your residents. I smiled to hear that you all end up laughing during this activity - those ar...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Looking forward to the launch of the template, Talita! Thank you, Marta, for your question.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Ah, Jodie, this is such a great query. We sometimes do this sort of activity on the whim and it can be hard to come up with like that. I'm glad Talita shared these resources!
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Catherine, I couldn't agree with you more, and so nice of you to share your positive experience!
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
I love the calendar resources available on Golden Carers! Thank you for making them so user-friendly, too.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Implicit and Explicit Bias in Senior Care
Thank you, Antoinette! Your feedback means a great deal.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Implicit and Explicit Bias in Senior Care
Thank you, Janis! So happy you are here.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Implicit and Explicit Bias in Senior Care
Hi Darla, I'm so glad you referenced the Client Center Model. The switch can take time but including and acknowledging caregiver bias is one of the first steps! Thank you.
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Implicit and Explicit Bias in Senior Care
Thank you, Salena! I'm so happy to hear that you will share. I completely agree with you - we need to work to change these preconceptions but when we do it changes the caregiving experience for the...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Implicit and Explicit Bias in Senior Care
Hi Kaimraj, you make an excellent point! So many holidays are left uncelebrated in care homes because they aren't celebrated by the majority. Knowing the cultures and backgrounds of our residents is...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
The article Susan shared is stellar and has so many great tips!
Here are additional articles that are designed for individuals in chairs or wheelchairs:
https://www.goldencarers.com/chair-yoga...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Catherine,
Here is a men's group article from Golden Carers https://www.goldencarers.com/mens-group-/3498/.
Here is a more general article from Golden Carers with Activity ideas for the Ba...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Jocelyn,
We've used a card system before and while the residents liked it because they received bigger prizes and gave them something to look forward to so attendance went up a lot of residents...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Hi Raylene,
Here are some trivia game options from Golden Carers https://www.goldencarers.com/trivia/.
I like to provide trivia after morning exercise or during the early afternoon. Individual...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
I agree with Susan, Russell! For resident's, I always provide resident rights trivia because in the US there are federal guidelines. Reviewing them with the residents always seems to empower them. B...
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Molly
Activity Professional & Writer
Activity Professional & Writer
Wow, Maurice, this is great news! Thank you for always striving to make our lives easier as Activity Professionals!!
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Carman Graf
Activities Coordinator
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I love Golden Carers, it's a fantastic resource! I not only find great activities for my seniors to do but have also inspired me to make my own activities to share as well. Thanks so much & keep up the wonderful job!
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