23 replies to this topic

[Diana]

HAVE YOU TRIED A SERVICE PROJECT?
GETTING HER TO WRITE THANK YOU NOTES TO OTHER VOLUNTEERS;
SETTING UP ARTS AND CRAFTS (SORTING AND SUCH) FOR GROUP ACTIVITES;
PERHAPS SHE COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE FOR THE FUTURE MONTHS UPCOMING ACTIVITY CALENDAR.

GOOD LUCK

[ajk]

Ideas that help out in situations like yours: Letting the resident call the BINGO numbers really makes them feel as though they are contributing. Also, at the assistant living facility, alot of books have been accumlated over the years, one resident who was a librarian was very excited when asked to catalog the books. Allowing residents to pass out and collect songbooks also can help them increase socialization.

[rayven]

Guest_flgirl, on Oct 25 2004, 05:25 PM, said:

I need help coming up with activities that a high functioning dementia lady can do at the center I work in. She does not want to be there. My opinion is she is not ready,but her husband wants her there and tells her she is going to "work". My boss wants me to bend over backwards to keep her busy with things to do because our census is low and we need her to stay. I have already have her preparing the utensils in the morning and stuffing envelopes, stapling stuff and plying cards with others. She is not very sociable.
I would welcome suggestions on how to keep her busy so she Thinks she is working.
Thiss is really stresssing me because I feel like I have to give her special attention so she doesn't leave.
PLEASE HELP

Ask her to help you lead or set up program supplies & lead activities for lower functioning residents. Have her collect songbooks, sweep or vacuum floor, set tables, wipe off tables, arrange silk flowers for tables, sort supplies by colors, sizes, fold laundry, plant flowers, peel vegetables for kitchen help, etc....

[1two1]

rayven, on Jul 3 2007, 07:47 PM, said:

Ask her to help you lead or set up program supplies & lead activities for lower functioning residents. Have her collect songbooks, sweep or vacuum floor, set tables, wipe off tables, arrange silk flowers for tables, sort supplies by colors, sizes, fold laundry, plant flowers, peel vegetables for kitchen help, etc....

[MARY ELLEN]

Is she able to run a bingo game and be the caller perhaps?
How about watering plants, reading to someone, leading a roasry group.

Hope these help

[turtle]

What did she do in life before becoming a person with dementia? Maybe that information can help you come up with something for her to do that makes her feel like she is at work. We have a lady who owned a local floral shop for years. Whenever, she is looking for "work" we give her flowers and a vase and she makes an arrangment for another resident who is bedridden. It is amazing the change that comes over her when she is "working" on her arrangement. Who knows, you might get a great idea by just knowing what her work once was. Hope this helps.

[chartley]

something that we do at our facility for those higher functioning residents, is take them to our library and let them get some books to read. or you could have them help you cut stuff out for a project you are doing that month. they could cut out quilting squares for a local quilting club. or if they is a big group of them you could do a game of jeopardy or famous faces. they seem to work well. good luck, hope my ideas helped!

[ljsutt]

Hi, Make her an honorary member of the Activity Department. Give her a name tag and ask her to help with activities. Tell her you need someone to keep an eye on things and have her "assist" with activities. Maybe she could decide what to play for a special movie night, or pick out some games to try. Ask her opinion when making the newsletter or calendar.

[1368]

Guest_flgirl, on Oct 25 2004, 04:26 PM, said:

I need help coming up with activities that a high functioning dementia lady can do at the center I work in. She does not want to be there. My opinion is she is not ready,but her husband wants her there and tells her she is going to "work". My boss wants me to bend over backwards to keep her busy with things to do because our census is low and we need her to stay. I have already have her preparing the utensils in the morning and stuffing envelopes, stapling stuff and plying cards with others. She is not very sociable.
I would welcome suggestions on how to keep her busy so she Thinks she is working.
Thiss is really stresssing me because I feel like I have to give her special attention so she doesn't leave.
PLEASE HELP

maybe you could use her to help you transfer residents to and from the dining room,activites or therapy.?seems to work for me...let me know if this was helpful.

[awalls1]

I have a few ladies that are still pretty high functioning and get bored easily, I have them to help me go through the movies and cds that are used and put them in thier cases as well as in thier class of music or movies. The ladies help me wash,set the tables,fill the glasses with ice,help clear the tables after meals. They also enjoy folding the laundry that we keep close by. (the ladies love mateing socks)If you have extra at home bring them in It will keep her busy for a little while. Maybe she likes making beds.dusting the furniture,sweeping the floors. Maybe if you have pictures and some empty albums she could fix those for you,there are so many ideas I hope some of these things will help you

[jrsarandreajr]

Guest_flgirl, on Oct 25 2004, 05:26 PM, said:

I need help coming up with activities that a high functioning dementia lady can do at the center I work in. She does not want to be there. My opinion is she is not ready,but her husband wants her there and tells her she is going to "work". My boss wants me to bend over backwards to keep her busy with things to do because our census is low and we need her to stay. I have already have her preparing the utensils in the morning and stuffing envelopes, stapling stuff and plying cards with others. She is not very sociable.
I would welcome suggestions on how to keep her busy so she Thinks she is working.
Thiss is really stresssing me because I feel like I have to give her special attention so she doesn't leave.
PLEASE HELP

So many great ideas already posted. I definitely like the one about making her an honorary Activity Department member. Make her feel as useful as can be.

To add something very simple, but that actually works extremely well with the dementia residents at my facility... simply get a bunch of different yarn. Use different colors and sizes and unravel it being sure to mix it all together. Place the pile of yarn on a table so that the resident you speak of as well as others with dementia can sit and untangle the different strands of yarn. Most of them will probably roll each strand into balls of yarn. It makes them feel like that are working and helping you as well as helping them to utilize their fine motor skills and excercise their fingers.

It works like a charm. They really love to do it.

[Fablous]

Have you tried having her go into training for voluntering. Depending on her level of functing and understanding this will give her purpose. Making her situation more bearable giving her the chance to become more accepting of her new circumstance and still feeling useful. I always try to bring peace and acceptiance that heals the heart, some times we get the chance to work with many hearts. Sometimes it is an unseen ripple effect encompassing the lives she touches.

They are the angles and we are their wings.
There to lend support whenever the wind is rough.
Good Luck and God Bless!
Jenny Livingston

[dinandez]

Guest_flgirl, on Oct 25 2004, 04:26 PM, said:

I need help coming up with activities that a high functioning dementia lady can do at the center I work in. She does not want to be there. My opinion is she is not ready,but her husband wants her there and tells her she is going to "work". My boss wants me to bend over backwards to keep her busy with things to do because our census is low and we need her to stay. I have already have her preparing the utensils in the morning and stuffing envelopes, stapling stuff and plying cards with others. She is not very sociable.
I would welcome suggestions on how to keep her busy so she Thinks she is working.
Thiss is really stresssing me because I feel like I have to give her special attention so she doesn't leave.
PLEASE HELP

Inter-generational activities work very well for high-functioning dementia clients. Even if they don't want to work directly with children, they can perhaps put together a care package for some students. Also, it's great to coordinate visits with teachers. Many teachers are open to bringing their students for a visit as the experience can benefit students too.

Perhaps they can also lead a group like a men's groups or a women's group. We also use our high-functioning dementia participants to help greet other clients- especially prospects. It makes them feel like they are helping as well as encouraging them to socialize. Hope this helps!