Dementia Unit

[Guest Guest_Timi]

I have a dementia unit at our community and I am lost for activities. Does anyone have any good ideas that might work for me?

[lllucas 0]

There are several sites on the Internet which may help you. However, in a totally biassed way, I recommend my site, The Activity Director's Office at http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com . From the Menu select Activity Ideas that Work. In that page's menu you will find a listing for Alzheimer's/Dementia activities. Hope this helps.

 

That specific page is http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com/...Alzheimers.html

Edited August 4, 2006 by lllucas

[Guest MEO]

Trivia, Sing Alongs, Baking.

Are the people early stage dementia or is it a mixed group? You can do alomst anything with them.

 

Bowling, horseshoes, hangman

 

Email me if you want to MEOTOONZ_417@yahoo.com

[Guest Guest_Timi]

Thanks lllucas,

I love the music were can I get it? Can it be downloaded from the web sight?

Timi

[Guest Guest_Vicky]

Timi:

Use whatever activity you do to help stimulate conversation and especially reminiscing.

 

We started a Red Hat group in our Alzheimer's unit. We'd simply gather together, wear matching red hats (from Oriental Trading: I attached a red flower to the front of each) & start each monthly meeting by singing a song (ours was always "You are My Sunshine"). I was amazed how they all loved to talk about themselves when I had a list of "Getting to KNow You" ?s that I asked each one (Where were you born, What was your occupation, favorite vacation, how many children, etc.) in one meeting. Also would read a good story from "Good Old Days", etc., then take the topic & ask re their memories of that. Walked around enclosed courtyard garden, admired flowers, and sat down to talk about their favorite flowers, did they garden, etc. We always shared special cookies, cupcakes, etc., too.

 

Also take a big bag full of items of different textures, such as a soft beanie toy, sandpaper, paintbrush, etc. Let them reach in & pull out one item. Ask if it's soft or rough, then talk about what you could do with the item, or if a toy dog, did they have a dog, etc.

 

Of course, they love to sing, and usually remember words to their old favorites. You can use a tape to sing along with. Here's a different idea: Write the name of favorite old songs on individual paper plates, sit in a circle w/plates on the floor in the middle of group. Each person tosses a beanbag at the plates & we'd sing whatever song it landed on. I had someone who played piano by ear then play the song as we sang it.