Judy

Thank you for this activity. I want to try it with my residents in the Dementia care Unit. I have a married couple who were school teachers.
I am looking forward to hearing their response. We have a monthly reading group with pupils from our nearby school. They come and read to our residents from the Hospital units and the Dementia Unit. Both residents and pupils get so much out of this shared time.

I use This Day in History every day. The residents really enjoy it. Especially the quotes and the jokes. I include it when I read the newspaper. It's a great add-on and promotes other discussions.

What a lovely idea Jill. I look forward to trying with our residents leading up to our Springtime in September.

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: Fathers' Advice poster to make

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: Green Quiz

Hi Deb
Welcome aboard. I work full-time in a Dementia care facility in New Zealand. I am there from 10.30 am - 6.30 PM. A typical day for me can be in the mornings some computer work then watering the garden with the residents, newsgroup, and another reading activity. On a Wednesday we may also have a dog visit and or a Devotion service. Afternoons can consist of out in the garden, exercises, entertainment, crafts, quizzes, or a van ride, depending on the day. Later in the afternoon, we may put on easy listening music, music DVD. We might also play a floor game. We try to keep them engaged in activities to help with agitation. It is about knowing your residents. It may change, as residents come and go.

In the Dementia care facility where I work, we have the Dog squad coming to visit monthly. We also have volunteers and family members coming in with their dogs. Our residents adore visits from the dogs. They will gather around like members of a fan club. We currently have a family member of a resident who is blind. When she visits her family member with her guide dog in toe the residents get so excited. She is very accommodating in allowing time for her dog to have pats, while he is working. This delights our residents and her dog loves the attention he gets. Bringing pets into the facility is so important. It promotes conversation and also gives tactile stimulation through patting /stroking.

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: Happy Easter Egg shape Banner.

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: "Love is Poster. "

Hi Michelle,

It can be difficult with residents who are in the late stages of dementia. Often these residents can not sleep at night due to their dementia, hence they often are medicated to help them settle in the end. This could be part of the reason they are often sleepy the next day. If they are awake enough they may enjoy being pushed outside into the garden ( if the recliner is on wheels and safe to push).