hobbies to keep dementia pts happy?

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It is so difficult to keep bored and dementia related pts content. Many have had busy full lives and here they are with nothing to do and confused about it all. I have given ladies towels to fold, and that works sometimes. One lady laughed at me when I gave her some to fold. Once I gave a bored male pt a damp washcloth and told him we needed all the handrails in the hall wiped down. Our OT department does not seem to address this yet. Can you think of any toys, etc that might work? Thanks.

I would love any info you have about these boxes, I am currently setting up some and since storage is so minimum I am planning on making aprox. 15 for easy to grab and then making others to swap out over time.

I am a memory care coordinator for a dementia unit and I deal with this all day! Purpose is the biggest thing! I made several activity kits that can be done with one or 2 residents. I put them in shoebox sized rubbermaid containers and label the front with what they are so that the CNAs can easily identify what they are supposed to do. I have a lot of info on this and would be happy to email it to anyone that wants it. THe biggest thing that works well for men is to give them a block of wood and a piece of sandpaper and ask them to sand it down for you. They will work on it for HOURS!!! We havev to remember that the activity staff cannot reach every resident at every minute. We have to support them. Be low is a list of some of the boxes I have made. PM me if you need more suggestions or an explanantion of some of the boxes.

1.Shape Sorting Board

2.Flower Box

3.Beads and Pattern Cards

4.Sensory Soother

5.Sewing Cards

6.Sorting Colors and Letters

7.Sock Sorting and Folding Box

8.Pat Mats

9.Sewing Cards

10.Beach Balls

11.Music Trivia Ball

12.Name 3 Ball

13.Simple Puzzles

14.Yarn Box

15.Activity Aprons

16.Coloring

17.Watercolors

18.Sing a long/Music Time

19.Ribbon Box

20.PVC Pipes Box

21.Play-Doh Box

22.Parachutes

23.Short Stories

24.Watering Plants

25.Patio Time

26.Group Walk

27.Spa Box

28.Current Events

29.Baby Doll box

30.Fill up the bird feeders

31.Looking at magazines

32.Sanding Blocks box

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We have a small MIU and one of our most successful items are individualized memory books. Upon admission families are encouraged to help their loved one feel at home by bringing items for a memory book. The book is then put together scrap book style by a team of the caregivers the family and the resident who helps as much as they are able.

Its a great way for the staff to get to know the resident, and for the family to get to know the staff. They generate happy memories from the start of the residents stay and begin to form those vital staff/family relationships.

The memory books are then used, successfully in most cases, when residents are feeling down, or anxious, or agitated.......

Even the most demented benifit from staff knowing as much about them in the "before world".

Looks great on a care plan too!

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Hi everyone!

This is my 2nd time back to this thread, and I know it's not a new thread- but I'm hoping someone can help me out.

I found this thread originally about a month ago to find things to do for my client w/Lewy Body dementia who seems bored out of her mind. I was so glad I found it. My client is in early stages (I believe) of dementia- she is about 50/50 with how "with it" she can be.

So I went about trying different things w/the client. She used to sew- tried sorting buttons, ball of yarn. Not interested in the sewing stuff.

Tried having her help w/dishes. Family told me they do not want her touching the dishes because of her hygiene habits. Fine.

Tried having her cut coupons, ect. That works sometimes, but not for long.

Play games: cards, dominoes, ect. Not interested.

Looking through old pics-not so much.

We can only spend so much time performing her adl's, doing nails, foot care, and eating. Right now she is very occupied w/"her money" and "getting out".

She also has Parkinsons, which limits her physically. She still wishes to do things that are a huge fall risk for her, like going down stairs, driving a car, ect. When we have gone for walks and she is physically tired and shaking, she will refuse to get in her wheelchair, so she scares the stuffing out of me. :)

What now?

She was a waitress before she stopped working and wants nothing to do with her previous employment. Thanks so much in advance for any ideas you can give me.

Amber

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We have a small MIU and one of our most successful items are individualized memory books. Upon admission families are encouraged to help their loved one feel at home by bringing items for a memory book. The book is then put together scrap book style by a team of the caregivers the family and the resident who helps as much as they are able.

Its a great way for the staff to get to know the resident, and for the family to get to know the staff. They generate happy memories from the start of the residents stay and begin to form those vital staff/family relationships.

The memory books are then used, successfully in most cases, when residents are feeling down, or anxious, or agitated.......

Even the most demented benifit from staff knowing as much about them in the "before world".

Looks great on a care plan too!

Love, love, love this! Can I steal it?

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

I just heard a story on NPR about people with dementia. They talked about how having the person look at a picture and make up a story to go along with it can be very helpful. Here is a link if anyone is interested

Alzheimer's Patients Turn To Stories Instead Of Memories : Shots - Health Blog : NPR

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