I read a wonderful article posted in September 2013 by Dementia Today called "Have Fun Today: 101 Things To Do With An Alzheimer's Person". Below is an excerpt of the article and also the link to the website.
http://www.dementiatoday.com/have-fun-today-101-activities-for-alzheimers-loved-ones/
http://www.dementiatoday.com/have-fun-today-101-activities-for-alzheimers-loved-ones/
"There are many different stages that a person with Alzheimer’s and Dementia will go through. It is very important to continue to provide quality of life at each stage. To do this it’s important to look at what a person can do instead of what they cannot do. In addition, look at the task that you want to provide and break it down into the simplest form so that the task may be accomplished.
In the last stages of Alzheimer’s, concentrate on the senses when providing stimulation. One other important area of activities is to remember that activities can be passive or active. A person may only observe or watch an activity. Other persons may participate in an active way.
Some activities may occur in a group situation or be done independently. For example, a person may sit quietly watching the birds outside a window. If you are going to provide group activities, you may need to offer the activities in a small group.
It is important to understand all the “participants” levels of functioning. If they can not all participate, consider adding parallel programming. While the main activity is going on, “cluster” residents who are of the same functioning level together and provide appropriate activities.
For example, you have ten residents on your unit and you will be offering a Sing Along. Four residents are unable to participate due to their functioning level. By clustering, you could place these residents at a table and provide tactile and sensory items.
The remainder of your group are able to participate in the Sing Along. It is also important to understand that activities are not just planned activities. Activities can include life skills which means participating in their daily living skills.
They are encouraged to help hold the tooth brush or wash cloth, or to choose an item of clothing. This could also include meal time activities. They could be encouraged to fold the napkins, set the table, clear the table, or wash the dishes. Also, allowing them to help with watering the plants, dusting, or folding the laundry. These are all “activities” and just as important as a game of bingo..."
In the last stages of Alzheimer’s, concentrate on the senses when providing stimulation. One other important area of activities is to remember that activities can be passive or active. A person may only observe or watch an activity. Other persons may participate in an active way.
Some activities may occur in a group situation or be done independently. For example, a person may sit quietly watching the birds outside a window. If you are going to provide group activities, you may need to offer the activities in a small group.
It is important to understand all the “participants” levels of functioning. If they can not all participate, consider adding parallel programming. While the main activity is going on, “cluster” residents who are of the same functioning level together and provide appropriate activities.
For example, you have ten residents on your unit and you will be offering a Sing Along. Four residents are unable to participate due to their functioning level. By clustering, you could place these residents at a table and provide tactile and sensory items.
The remainder of your group are able to participate in the Sing Along. It is also important to understand that activities are not just planned activities. Activities can include life skills which means participating in their daily living skills.
They are encouraged to help hold the tooth brush or wash cloth, or to choose an item of clothing. This could also include meal time activities. They could be encouraged to fold the napkins, set the table, clear the table, or wash the dishes. Also, allowing them to help with watering the plants, dusting, or folding the laundry. These are all “activities” and just as important as a game of bingo..."