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I have 17 residents that range from mild to moderately dementia stages. What type of trips do you take your Memory Care residents? We attend bus rides and some specific trips but would like to get other ideas.

 

Thanks,

Bennie

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  • 3 months later...
I have 17 residents that range from mild to moderately dementia stages. What type of trips do you take your Memory Care residents? We attend bus rides and some specific trips but would like to get other ideas.

 

Thanks,

Bennie

 

You can take them to restaurants but I would highly recommend being very choosy, scoping the place out first, taking as many family volunteers and staff as possible, and warning the restaurant staff first. We are very fortunate: there are two places close nearby that do not use their dining rooms at lunchtime (they serve in the bar/lounge area) but they will let us sit in the dining area. They give us pitchers of tea and water so that we can refill the resident's glasses ourselves. It's a great way to let the residents get out for a change of scenery without disturbing a whole restaurant. Because as much as I love my residents, I am a realist and I acknowledge that not everyone wants to deal with their behaviors and vocalizations. It's rude to just bring them to any old restaurant and plunk them down. The wait staff as well as other diners don't want to deal with it, and it's a dignity issue for some of the residents as well. Plus it could spell disaster to take them into a disruptive, loud environment like a busy restaurant and then have a resident have a meltdown. So please do attempt it, but be careful and take my advice.

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A favorite destination for our residents is to go out for ice cream. About a 15 minute drive from our facility is a farm which sells ice cream and also has farm animals to see and pet. We sit outside under a nice shade tree and enjoy the fresh air while eating our ice cream and then visit the animals.

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I would suggest going to anyplace that could supply lots of sensory stimulation. I live in Ohio and during the winter we go out and look at Christmas lights. I also take them to small recitals put on by the local high schools. Other suggestions would be a petting zoo, an antique store, a park, or an eatery. Sometimes I take my residents to a thrift store and let them look around. If they are cognitively able, they are allowed to use their bingo money to buy things. Of course you need to be careful on all trips and learn about the place before you take your residents. I would not get too worked up on a destination though. I am sure that they would be perfectly happy leaving the facility.

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I have 17 residents that range from mild to moderately dementia stages. What type of trips do you take your Memory Care residents? We attend bus rides and some specific trips but would like to get other ideas.

 

Thanks,

Bennie

 

I have brought my residents to the aquarium, zoo, and parks. They enjoy seeing the animals, flowers, colors, and just being out. I have also gone on picnics and those residents that enjoy art painted pictures of the outdoors.

Edited by omalley286
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In terms of trips, i find that my residents LOVE to go on factory tours. We have gone to Hershey Pennsylvania on the Chocolate Tour, the Herr's Potato Chip Factory, the Utz Potato Chip Factory, I am currently trying to plan a trip to the White House. I understand that location may be difficult, but I find that with residents even if they suffer from mild dementia appreciate learning something new, and these trips do have a lasting effect on the memory. Just keep in mind only take residents that you feel comfotable taking, and also try to have as much help as you feel is needed. We do not have a lot of volunteers so I typically have to take residents by myself, I just try to keep the group manageable. I always call ahead to explain who I am and who I am bringing, facilities are usually VERY helpful if you just explain things to them. I also try to plan these trips in the summer/spring/fall time therefor its a little warmer, and you dont' have to deal with the weather. I also have a great transportation department which helps, at least there is another set of eyes.

 

Oh- you can usually find tours that are free...which is great for budget!!

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