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Social Volunteer Training

Life Enriching Activities for People with Dementia

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• Every event, encounter or exchange is an Activity

• Activities are– The interaction between an

individual and the environment

– Everything a person does throughout the day

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Activity Philosophy

The activities that make up a person’s daily experience should reflect, as much as possible, that individual’s preferred lifestyle, while enabling a sense of usefulness, pleasure, success and as normal a level of functioning as possible.

Alzheimer’s Association-Activity Based Alzheimer’s Care

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CHARACTERISTICS OF DEMENTIA THAT AFFECT ACTIVITIES

• Memory loss• Limited, short, or lack

of attention span• Disorientation• Limited ability or

inability to follow directions

• Movement/ motor problems

• Limited tolerance or understanding of others

• Desire for attention• Tendency to have

– Catastrophic reactions– Paranoia– Anxiety

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OBJECTIVES OF AN ACTIVITY

• Adapted to and focus on abilities, not limitations

• Meaningful to the individual: A purposeful use of time

• Age appropriate and culturally competent

• An opportunity to reinforce positive behaviors and reduce negative behaviors

• A vehicle for communication

• Increase self esteem• Promotes sense of

belonging

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Appropriate and Meaningful

• Appropriate:– When they respect…

• Age• Beliefs• Culture• Values• Life Experiences

• Meaningful– Interests– Lifestyle– Enjoyable– Sense of belonging

and productivity

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Does It Fit?

• The Early Stage Social Engagement group is working on a crossword puzzle. The volunteer leading the group is choosing one individual with dementia, John, to answer the question for 4 across. When John doesn’t know the answer, the volunteer continues to push John for an answer, saying “Remember, you should know this.” The other participants eagerly await their turn.

• A local respite for persons with dementia offers craft activities for their participants. The crafts are more complex with many steps to complete the projects. Therefore, the staff and volunteer do most of the work while they talk to one another and the participants sit complacently.

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ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE…

• Positive• Simple• Repetitive• One step• Physical

• Social• Related to past life

roles or experience• Realistic• Stress free

***Process vs Product

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Types of Activities

• Daily routines• Creative • Physical• Intellectual

• Social• Spontaneous• Work-Related• Spiritual

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Relate to work/life stageIf the person believes they are 30 years old, then try to adapt activities that might have been relevant to them at that period in their life.

–Were they running a household?–Were they managing a department?–Were they teaching school?

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Respite

• RSVP number of Volunteers to Participant ratio• Volunteers arrive 30-45 minutes prior to respite

program• Assign activities

– Respite kit

• Physical set up of room• Don’t ask, model the activity/behavior (initiate).• Debrief

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AVOID ANY ACTIVITY THAT REQUIRES…

• Memory

• New learning

• Sequencing

• Abstract concepts

• Large group interactions

• Complex supplies or equipment

• Noise, glare, confusion, rush

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Which is best?

• Play memory game or list as many animals as you can?

• Write an abstract story or draw a picture?

• Watch a short sitcom from a familiar era or see the latest sci-fi thriller?

• Sing familiar songs or learn a new current event quiz game on the computer?

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These activities workEarly Stage

• Walking, dancing, tai chi• Reminiscing• Writing letters and cards• Gardening• Card games, puzzles, board

games, catch phrase• Reading• Live music or playing music• Social meals• Small group visit to the zoo• Crafts

Moderate Stage• Walking, (chair) dancing /

exercises• Reminiscing• Digging holes, planting,

watering plants, picking flowers

• Simple games, BINGO• Ball Toss• Listening to music or short

stories• Meals & snacks• Pet therapy

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101 Things to Do…

• Please refer to list

• Keep a variety of simple activities handy

• Activities do not need to be elaborate – e.g. folding towels, stuffing envelopes, ripping

pictures of “red” things from magazines

• Update supplies regularly

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Activity Adaptations• Simplify the rules• Reduce the number of

steps (have some items pre-set)

• Increase type and frequency of cueing (verbal, visual, hands-on assist)

• Reduce the size of the group

• Reduce the duration of program

• Change from competitive to cooperative activity

• Offer limited choices

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Activity Exercise

• Step 1: On a piece of paper please write down two of your hobbies/interests.

• Step 2: Write down each step in the process of performing your hobby/interest

• Step 3: Now I would like you to adapt one activity for a person with early stage dementia and adapt the other activity for a person with moderate stage dementia.

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Adaptations

Knitting- sort yarn or patterns

- roll yarn into balls

- choose a pattern for a beginner

- untangle yarn

- look at baby sweater patterns

- look at family photos of sweaters she has knit

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AdaptationsFixing CarsFixing Cars

– Look at picture books of cars from their eraLook at picture books of cars from their era– Get books from local dealershipGet books from local dealership– Take on outing to a dealershipTake on outing to a dealership– Get some (safe) parts from an auto parts Get some (safe) parts from an auto parts

storestore– Put together a model carPut together a model car– Reminisce about Burma-Shave signs and Reminisce about Burma-Shave signs and

road trips road trips

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Practicing Activities with Modifications

• Food related– Practice serving lunch

• Bingo– Practice calling BINGO for respite

• Card Games– Practice UNO for early stage

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To Make a Successful Program

• Introduce the activity by asking for their help with the task

• Have all of the necessary supplies ready

• Adapt the activity to their level of ability

• Relate the activity to work-life, or perceived life stage

• Use communication techniques if necessary

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More Success TipsPhysical Environment – minimize distractions and noise, avoid crowding, ensure safety, and ensure appropriate lighting

Modeling the behavior you would like to see –smiling and upbeat while performing activities

Know the Individual - It always helps to read the participant’s assessment

Follow and Active Passive Pattern – alternate stimulating activities with relaxing activities

Always have extra activities – Ready basket, Plan A, B, C, D, etc.

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How We Can Help• Community supported not

for profit agency • Information about

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

• Referral to community resources

• Newsletter• Lending Library• Care consultation

– In-Home Care Consultations• Helpline

– 1-800-272-3900

• Early Stage Programming• Respite

– Group– In Home Respite

• Education Classes– Conferences

• Support Groups• Safe Return• Advocacy• Research

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How You Can Help • Participate

– Walk to End Alzheimer’s, BvB, Longest Day

• Advocate

• Volunteer – Special Events, Office Work, Health Fairs,

Respite

• Fundraise

• Refer others to the Alzheimer’s Association

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Alzheimer’s AssociationWestern New York Chapter 2805 Wehrle Drive – Suite 6

Williamsville, NY 14221

(716) 626-0600

(800) 272-3900

www.alz.org/wny

Our Mission: To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to

reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.