At Lady-Links visits with our friend with Alzheimer’s dementia, we are able to engage her in a variety of activities because we’ve developed a successful strategy for how we approach selecting and implementing activities. We choose activities that are in some way significant to her and then we simplify them so that she will be able to participate with a sense of fulfillment. We believe this strategy will work with others as well.
SIGNIFICANCE –
1. Make it Meaningful for that Person – Determine what they enjoyed before they were diagnosed.
Promoting communication and friendship over coffee.
(Church – Family – Holidays – Music – Decorations – Children – Homemaking – Travel – Friends – Volunteering)
2. Make it Matter to that Person – Determine what will provide a sense of fulfillment now that they are diagnosed.
Making cookies to share
(Contributing to a group effort – Helping others – Enjoying group activities – Being a hostess – Having fun)
SIMPLICITY –
1. Plan – Select an activity that the person can successfully accomplish and will enjoy. Inspiration for activities can come from many sources including holidays, special events, local activities, the seasons, music, photographs, family connections and past or present interests. Modifications may need to be made.
Working one of the elephant puppets she made to give to area children.
A cookie dough mix was used making it easier than measuring everything from scratch. Our friend scooped the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet.
Bags of cookies ready to be given away.
2. Prepare – Get the activity to the point where it is ready for the person to begin his or her part.
All the cutting was done prior to the visit.
All the pieces were grouped by color and ready to be glued at the visit.
Decorations we made for our Christmas reception.
Before the visit, each pine cone with its correct number of pom-poms was placed in a baggie, ready for assembly.
The correct number of fall stickers were placed in a baggie for each pumpkin prior to the visit.
We use stickers whenever possible instead of glue.
Making our own stickers.
The front of our St. Patrick’s Day card. Everything was cut prior to the visit so it would be ready for assembly.
3. Purpose – Let the person know how the project will be of benefit.
Giving away the valentines she made.
Easter Egg Baskets that were given away.
We made these Mother’s Day table decorations that were used at a Ladies’ Breakfast.
4. Presentation – Model the expected behavior and have a completed example to display.
Model the desired behavior.
An example serves as a guide.
Success!
5. Persevere – If it doesn’t work or if the person becomes disinterested, make a transition to another activity. Avoid wait time.
A tote tray filled with a variety of activities from which to choose.
Interests can change quickly so be flexible and have plenty of choices.
Turn on some music and you’ve got an instant activity!
Chair exercises can be initiated quickly and easily.
A Conga Line is always fun.
6. Praise – It’s not about the end product but about the process. Be generous with your encouragement and compliments.
A flower in a coffee cup.
Activities provide opportunities for emotional/spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical interaction. When chosen carefully and implemented with the right approach, all you need to add is laughter and love, and the prospects for enriching a person’s life in any stage of dementia are endless.
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