Forum Messages
 Cognitive vs Dementia - potomac - 09/03/2010 08:59 AM
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 Cognitive vs Dementia - 06117- 09/03/2010 09:14 AM
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Just an idea - KathyA- 11/06/2010 01:11 PM
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"The Great Divide" - lo- 09/04/2010 06:04 AM
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dem - Emily in CT- 09/12/2010 09:09 AM
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high function vs. dementia - MindStart- 10/31/2010 01:05 PM
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cheerleaders? - flamingo29- 11/04/2010 01:46 PM
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ALF FL. - 04910- 11/11/2010 11:26 AM
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potomac Registered: 08/22/07 |
Posted 09/03/2010 08:59 AM
I work in a facility with 80 + residents that I am responsible to entertain. When I first started working here 6 years ago we had mentally high functioning residents and activities were easy to plan. Then the pendulum took a wide swing to mostly dementia residents attending activites (the few with good cognition stay in their rooms). Now I have an active group of new residents with good cognition and my old standby's with dementia. My problem is when I try to divide the group and have an activity for the high functioning residents, the one's with dementia want to play too. They are so used to being with me all day, I cannot easily divide my time. Any suggestions. |
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06117
Registered: 04/09/10 |
Posted 09/03/2010 09:14 AM
Hello, Try to get your associates to help you with the activities. { Even if you get one person} Make your plan and then break it down as {1} High function {2} Dementia. Start this one day and see if it helps. All of my residents have dementia. Some times let the high function ones also help you with supplies ect. that way it gives you more time to help the others. |
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KathyA
Registered: 02/27/10 |
Posted 11/06/2010 01:11 PM
If you have several new residents who are higher functioning, what about forming a "Newcomers Club". Old-timers would be less likely to feel left out - you would not have to say that this activity was only for people who were higher functioning. The newcomers could vote on a couple of activities that their "club" does. |
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lo
Registered: 05/11/09 |
Posted 09/04/2010 06:04 AM
My same exact problem. My Goal: small special interest clubs/groups facillitated by volunteers that run ocncurrently( parallel programming) My Approach: Targeting appropriate residents based on their interests and cognition , motivating/mobilizing them (& C.N.A.'s), making sure they get there and providing good set up. RESULTS: Goal partially met. Not sure I'll ever see this model/fantasy turn into reality, but will continue to aspire to get there. A universal problem/frustration for many of us. I feel it especially with our Long Term alert and oriented and our short termers who are highly motivated, do not tire easily and who are "joiners" for the most part. |
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Emily in CT
Registered: 08/22/07 |
Posted 09/12/2010 09:09 AM
We are having the same problem, recently we have had a couple of people move in with dementia that take a lot of working with and are upsetting the other residents because they interupt the programs or it takes alot longer to to explain (and reexplain) programs. I'm trying to have more small programs to attract certain levels but it just comes to explaining to the higher functioning residents they need to be patient and be happy we have friends who want to be with us. |
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MindStart
Registered: 10/26/10 |
Posted 10/31/2010 01:05 PM
Here are some suggestions you might consider: 1. Do not include the lower level/dementia folks in your higher levels groups, as they probably cannot understand what to do which makes them ask more questions, become anxious, and make the higher levels folks annoyed. Serve the dementia folks in a smaller group just them alone. Or possibly have one higher level person be a helper to the group, if they are willing and understand that these are folks that need more help. OR... 2. If you mix higher level and dementia folks together for an activity, put the higher level together at one end of the table and the lower level together at the other end. Think through the activity steps prior to the activity - which parts can the different levels do? For example, when I made pudding with a mixed group, the higher level read the directions, measured and poured in ingredients, and heated with supervision. The lower level stirred, peeled the banana, cut up banana slices (with some help). An even lower level person could enjoy by being present in the room, smelling the pudding, and tasting the pudding when it is done. 3. Have any volunteers you recruit to do the activity with higher level group, which can proceed with less direction. You stick with the lower level group, which may harder for a volunteer to lead. Hope this gives some ideas that might help! Monica
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flamingo29
Registered: 08/22/07 |
Posted 11/04/2010 01:46 PM
What about making the ones who might want to play but really can't be the cheerleaders? I know I had a resident who wanted to be a part of the activity but not want to play who loved cheering with pom poms when someone got the right answer. |
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04910
Registered: 08/22/07 |
Posted 11/11/2010 11:26 AM
We have similar issues in my memory care facility. Trying to unite all our residents can be challenging and frustrating, but I found "music" to be a common bond among most. I've been using memorystreets question and answer books for seniors, I turn to the music trivia catagory...I read the first few words of the song (that they all know) and they have to finish the song, they really like it, even those with little cognition will join in or at least enjoy listening to those who do. Their website is www.memorystreets.com |
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