Ideas from the UK

[essexboy1 0]

Hi,

 

As you can all see I am from the UK.

 

I am and activities organiser in a care home in Essex.

 

I was wondering if anyone would like to exchange ideas on this forum as quite possibly some programmes that we use over here may differ to the ones you use.

 

I am very much involved with dementia and that is my specialism

 

Please write if you are interested ion exchanging ideas

 

Derek Fisher

[Ella 0]

Hello Derek! Greetings from Michigan, U.S.A.! I am the Recreation Therapist at a Long Term Care Facility. My residents range from having mild cognitive and physical deficits to severely impaired in both areas. As you can imagine, programming can be a challenge meeting everyone's needs! I would love to hear some of your activity ideas; what are your favorite activities, what your residents prefer, what works, what you have tried and seems unsuccessful etc. I will be waiting to hear from you.

 

Best regards,

Ella

[essexboy1 0]

Hello Derek! Greetings from Michigan, U.S.A.! I am the Recreation Therapist at a Long Term Care Facility. My residents range from having mild cognitive and physical deficits to severely impaired in both areas. As you can imagine, programming can be a challenge meeting everyone's needs! I would love to hear some of your activity ideas; what are your favorite activities, what your residents prefer, what works, what you have tried and seems unsuccessful etc. I will be waiting to hear from you.

 

Best regards,

Ella

 

Hi Ella,

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

My setting has 60 residents with varying cognitive degrees and I agree totally with you when you say that its a challenge meeting everyone's needs. I am only to pleased to tell you what I have found that works and what dosen't.

 

A major yes is chair based exercise to background music. I guess everyone does this but I find this is always good but must be a short session as the residents can easily lose interest if it goes on and on. I also find 1-2-1 sessions about life stories very good and everyone loves to talk about their past. I have made notes, using exact words and then put together a life book to present to the resident for them to show their families. Quick fire word games qalways brings peoples interest level s up and it is surprising how many quiet people suddenly come up with an answer and gradually gain confidenvce. The main success, if I can call it that phrase, has been laughter therapy. This has amazing results. There are no jokes said or funny things done , just pure and controlled laughter. Be lieve me it soon gets evryone in the room laughing. Even a false laugh raises the spirits and relaease a toxin in the system that makes you feel good aboit yourself. I would happily pass you details of a therapist I know in London, he wont come to Michigan I am sorry to say. He will however pass you on details if you so wish. The results on residents well being are astounding.

 

There is in the UK a group called Dementia Adventure. They are based in Essex and believe in the great outdoors and nature walks. They organise so many at various places throughout the year. The believe here is that fresh air and exercise invigorates the mind and stimulates conversation. Once again the results are quite remarkable. I will send you their link if you want me to.

 

I firmly believe that getting to know your resident is very important and I adopt personalisation in every aspect of the job. If I can please everyone then that's whats its all about. Even making that one person smile for once in the day is priceless. To this end I read the care plan and see if there is any past history of a person being good at something i.e cooking or gardening. The affect that making someone feel useful around the home or facilty is quite profound.

 

Please forgive me for going on but activities are my passion.

 

Hope this helps

 

Derek

[marieg 0]

Hi Derek,

 

My name is Marie Galligan. I am an activity co-ordinator at a nursing home in Glasgow. I would be more than happy to share ideas with you. I currently have 56 residents with moderate to severe dementia. I find the job challenging but rewarding and I am always looking for new activities.

 

Marie.

[essexboy1 0]

Hi Derek,

 

My name is Marie Galligan. I am an activity co-ordinator at a nursing home in Glasgow. I would be more than happy to share ideas with you. I currently have 56 residents with moderate to severe dementia. I find the job challenging but rewarding and I am always looking for new activities.

 

Marie.

 

Hi Marie,

 

Thank you for your reply and I will happily list below some successful ideas that I have put in place in my work setting in Essex. We have mainly dementia residents with varying degrees of ability. I have found the job challenging as you have but as you rightly say it is rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy my job and I am sure that you do .

 

1. Laughter therapy is a big one down here in London at the moment and is very therapeutic and has tremendous positive affects on residents. I suggest you look up the therapy on Google and I will gladly give you the name of the therapist I know here in London. There are no gimmicks or jokes used in the therapy but just plain and simple laughter. The idea is very big in India, Sweden, Israel, USA and Germany . I have witnessed this therapy in action several times and have seen the positive results.

 

2. Dementia Adventure are an organisation in Essex whose ideals are getting people to connect with the great outdoors and nature walks. Once again I can supply you with the contact details but they do have their own website under Dementia Adventure.

 

3. One of the most interactive activities I carry out are one to one sessions with residents and try to understand their backgrounds and what they personally would like. I do this in conjunction wit6h the family and the outcome once again is very positive. It is empowering the resident to have control over what they receive in the way of daily activities. You may already do this so forgive me if I am stating the obvious.

 

4. I always fined that theme days are a very good way to bond with bpoth staff and residents. It is down to the activities organiser to get everyone involved in what ever capacity and a good way is to involve the residents in the setting up and the planning.

 

5. Finally I have instigated an in house newsletter that has large input from the residents and the families. Once again this is about meaningful activities and making the person feel valued.

 

I hope this is of some help

 

Derek

[marieg 0]

Hi Marie,

 

Thank you for your reply and I will happily list below some successful ideas that I have put in place in my work setting in Essex. We have mainly dementia residents with varying degrees of ability. I have found the job challenging as you have but as you rightly say it is rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy my job and I am sure that you do .

 

1. Laughter therapy is a big one down here in London at the moment and is very therapeutic and has tremendous positive affects on residents. I suggest you look up the therapy on Google and I will gladly give you the name of the therapist I know here in London. There are no gimmicks or jokes used in the therapy but just plain and simple laughter. The idea is very big in India, Sweden, Israel, USA and Germany . I have witnessed this therapy in action several times and have seen the positive results.

 

2. Dementia Adventure are an organisation in Essex whose ideals are getting people to connect with the great outdoors and nature walks. Once again I can supply you with the contact details but they do have their own website under Dementia Adventure.

 

3. One of the most interactive activities I carry out are one to one sessions with residents and try to understand their backgrounds and what they personally would like. I do this in conjunction wit6h the family and the outcome once again is very positive. It is empowering the resident to have control over what they receive in the way of daily activities. You may already do this so forgive me if I am stating the obvious.

 

4. I always fined that theme days are a very good way to bond with bpoth staff and residents. It is down to the activities organiser to get everyone involved in what ever capacity and a good way is to involve the residents in the setting up and the planning.

 

5. Finally I have instigated an in house newsletter that has large input from the residents and the families. Once again this is about meaningful activities and making the person feel valued.

 

I hope this is of some help

 

Derek

[marieg 0]

Hi Derek,

 

Thanks very much for your ideas. I will go online and check out Laughter therapy and Dementia Adventure.

 

I also carry out one to one sessions with residents and have put together quite a few life story books to use in the sessions. I also trained in Sonas, a senory groupwork programme, the training took place in Ireland but they also do it in London. Residents seem to really enjoy it as it involves all the 5 senses. It maybe worth checking out. Have you heard of circle dancing? I have been talking with trainers down South who facilitate this training and we are considering going ahead with it.

 

Have you heard of NAPA? I am thinking of doing one their distance learning courses in relation to activities.

 

Marie.

[essexboy1 0]

Hi Derek,

 

Thanks very much for your ideas. I will go online and check out Laughter therapy and Dementia Adventure.

 

I also carry out one to one sessions with residents and have put together quite a few life story books to use in the sessions. I also trained in Sonas, a senory groupwork programme, the training took place in Ireland but they also do it in London. Residents seem to really enjoy it as it involves all the 5 senses. It maybe worth checking out. Have you heard of circle dancing? I have been talking with trainers down South who facilitate this training and we are considering going ahead with it.

 

Have you heard of NAPA? I am thinking of doing one their distance learning courses in relation to activities.

 

Marie.

 

Hi,

 

T

[essexboy1 0]

Hi,

 

T

 

Hi,

 

Thank you for your reply and I hope that you find the Dementia Adventure website of interest.

 

I have never heard of Sonas but will look into it today. Circle dancing sounds good and I would be very keen to get involved.

 

Yes I have heard of NAPA and have been to several of their courses and talks. They are a national organisation who have the activities person as the main interest. I have not been to any meetings lately but am about to re start that process.

 

if I come up with any new ideas or hear of any I will happily pass them onto you.

 

Kind regards

 

Derek Fisher

[essexboy1 0]

Hi,

 

T

 

Hi,

 

Thank you for your reply and I hope that you find the Dementia Adventure website of interest.

 

I have never heard of Sonas but will look into it today. Circle dancing sounds good and I would be very keen to get involved.

 

Yes I have heard of NAPA and have been to several of their courses and talks. They are a national organisation who have the activities person as the main interest. I have not been to any meetings lately but am about to re start that process.

 

if I come up with any new ideas or hear of any I will happily pass them onto you.

 

Kind regards

 

Derek Fisher