Archive for activities
Let’s Visit Granddad
Posted by: | CommentsMy grandchildren visit my husand who has Alzheimer’s Lewybody. To make it more comfortable for them, they plan to entertain him. One day a granddaughter did her tap dance routine. The grandson demonstrated Tai Kwan Do and talked about his black belt. Another time all of the grandkids came and decorated their Easter eggs in the activity room so he could watch. Many pictures were taken and there was lots of laughter.
On Memorial Day, we “invented” a 500 mile race. We bought 4 tiny pull back cars in different colors. We made a simple track of strips of plastic framing material and taped it to the table so the cars couldn’t fall off. We had a stop ramp of the same material at the end. The track was decorated in little flags. All of the residents in the memory support unit took a turn while the rest guessed which car would win. Granddad enjoyed it all and the grandkids felt needed.
This game can be used over and over.
Touch of JOY
Want To Pay It Forward?
Posted by: | Comments* Next time you pass through the toll booth, pay for the person behind you.
* Drop off a plant, flowers, or an apple pie at the police department.
* Write notes or bring flowers or goodies to your past teachers.
* Anonymously order dessert for someone at a restaurant.
* Pay for the person behind you at the drive-through window.
* Leave a note of appreciation for a hotel bellhop, housekeeper, or concierge.
* Take flowers to a hospital ward and leave them for someone who hasn’t had any visitors.
* Open the phone book, pick a name, and send them movie tickets annouymously.
* Write a think-you note to a person from your past who has made a difference in your life.
* Surprise a neighbor by mowing their lawn.
* Bring home-cooked meals, blankets, a bathroom kit, and/or socks to a homeless person in your community.
Find more ideas at www.CharityFocus.org. You can also download free Smile cards at www.HelpOthers.org.
Don’t forget to thank that care giver down the street!!
Touch of JOY
Caregiver or Care Partner
Posted by: | CommentsMy husband has the greatest Care Parner, Kathy! As a gift I gave her a T shirt with the folloowing message on it. The message says everything that is in my heart and describes her to a “T”.
“SHE WITH HEALING HANDS”
“The heaing arts are so much more than needles, thermometers, scalpels, and drugs. It’s the touch of her hand … the tone of her voice… the silent prayers she says over each patient. In their most vulnerable hour she is there. Anyone who’s ever been there knows that all the medicine in the world is no match for the touch of her healing hands. Copyright by Suzy Toronto, www.suzytoronto.com
Click on Suzy’s website and buy a T-shirt for someone you know is a caregiver. It will mean more than you will ever know.
Touch of JOY
15 PRACTICAL POSITIVE TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA PATIENTS
Posted by: | CommentsIn almost every circumstance we go through a series of steps when we notice a change in ourselves, or our loved one. First is
SUSPISION then,
DENIAL
DIGONOSIS
SEARCH for answer or cure
ACCEPT reality, there is no cure
INFORM others
COMMUNICATE – ways to community with family, friends, doctors
SUPPORT TEAM learn to ASK and DELEGATE
BE PREPARED in advance
BECOME A STRONG ADVOCATE
LEARN TO COPE – crash tactics
LIVE IN THE MOMENT
PRACTICE SELF CARE
FIND THE GIFTS in the experience
BE GRATEFUL – write a list
Find more information on each of these topics by visiting http://www.joygolliver.com and sign up for our newsletter.
