23 replies to this topic

[cat356]

What about having her delievering mail or leading a group activity such as; cards, matching games, flower arranging, word games ect. Cathy

[DarcySchroeder]

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

[DarcySchroeder]

You could ask the resident to "work" by going room to room with the "Hospitality Cart" offering things for residents to borrow such as: magazines, daily newspaper, crossword puzzle or word search books, books to read, CD's, CD player or DVD's, playing cards, cribbage boards, etc.

[abidlack]

With some of the residents at my facility, we have them help fold shirts and pants that will later be given to their owners. The residents seem to enjoy this because it is usually an activity that they remember how to do and it gives them a purpose. Also, I have got a couple wire hangers and I ask some residents to wrap yarn around the wire. Past generations used to do this to keep the wire from rusting. It is a simple activity that can take a long time.

Stop and think about the little things that you do in a day. Can this resident provide 1:1 visits? Can she pass out newspapers or other things that you pass out to residents? What about writing thank you letters to those that donate to the facility or help take pictures for the newsletter? Let her do the things that we do out of habit but that are time consuming.

[omalley286]

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

I also have one of these residents, she did not want to be in the facility, constantly talking about getting out, so on so forth. I asked her one day if she could help me clean out one of my book cases. She aggreed and soon became the "Librarian" she takes care of book orders, "renting" the books from the shelves as well as movies and books on tape. She soon started asking what else she could do (She was also not very social when she arrived) I said we have to go to some of the residents rooms and do one on ones with them. I asked if she wanted to join me and she said ok but did not want to participate of course. The next day I said I was running late and I had to do one of the those one on ones on a resident that was in the lounge, I asked if she could help me and play cards with the woman for awhile for me. I really did not have to do a one on one with the woman, she just loves to play cards. I gave her the "form" to fill out and she was off to play cards. After that she does "Game Play" with a resident every day.

I believe that many of the men and women that are entering the facility now are use to working and if they do not believe they should be in the facility, giving them "work" makes them feel like they are making a difference.

[VicSwatloski]

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

I used to have one of her. It is not easy in any way. However, I would have her help me deliver monthly activity calendars, if you have a bread machine, you could make her in charge of making fresh bread for lunch daily (one loaf a day for all residents to share) put her in charge of taking the book cart around to resident rooms for library selection. Also, find out if she used to knit or crochet. If so, then take a skein of yarn and tangle it. You could then tell her that someone got into your yarn box and messed it up... ask her if she would take some time to help you out by untangling and rolling the ball. The more responsibility you give her, the happier she should be. Hope some of those ideas help! Good luck.

[klockwood82]

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

[klockwood82]

I have someone similar, she initially did not want to come to my memory enhancement program, however I utilized a few of the residents in particular one who she got along with and asked him to show her around the building and pick her up on his way to the program. This helped him, it gives him something to remember to do, and it helped her feel included. They dont' miss a day.

[ataylor]

[quote name='dinandez' timestamp='1265409151' post='12120']
QUOTE (Guest_flgirl @ Oct 25 2004, 04:26 PM) 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!




HI,
Is she able to deliver the mail or newspapers? Maybe to a certain floor? She could also assist in the activity room by shredding paper or gathering materials together. In all the facilities that I have worked in many residents became volunteers. It's a great boost to self-esteem. Hope this helps.
Amylyn