Speakers etc

Are you looking for a new speaker to talk to your facility? It can be difficult to program for your alert and oriented who want a challenge and to learn new things. Look to your local community college, or senior center. Both may offer continuing education classes from which speakers may be willing to visit your facility. There may be family members or other people already involved with your facility who have an area of expertise and knowledge they may be willing to share, it just takes some investigation.

Conferences

If you get the chance and you are lucky enough to work for an organization that will pay for some continuing education for you, take advantage of a local conference. There is something very energizing about getting together with others and learning new things. Going to a conference and networking with others in your profession is very beneficial. Step outside your zone and go to a session that you know nothing about. You might learn something that you can impliment in your facility and improve your programming.

Best Dementia Activities part 1

I love to use music with residents with dementia. Any music from their era will get the memory warmed up. Even if the resident can not sing, or can't recall the name of the song, it may put a smile on their face, or a tap to the toes. We all know music can make us happy or sad. It is such a great memory trigger. I have seen residents with severe dementia who couldn't put a coherence sentence together, be able to sing all the words to a song. This is incredible, and important for other staff to see as well. The nurses and aides need to see that individual in a different light. If you can find a song that makes that person happy, it may help the aide when doing care. This is definitely important info to pass along. We all need to work together.

Music Appreciation Week

I just read that the first week of May is Music Appreciation week. We all know about the many benefits of music for our clients. There are so many great music activities you can plan during this week. You can plan activities such as musical reminiscing and music history to always enjoyed entertainment. Everyone will enjoy a special week of music! Maybe you can contact local schools and invite the band or chorus to perform. An intergenerational activity and music appreciation in one!

April is Dog appreciation Month

Dog Appreciation Month, what a great topic to center some activities around. A Dog Show, making homemade dog biscuits, learning about various working dogs. There are so many fun possibilities. I love dog agility. If you have a local club, invite a few dogs to come and perform some indoor agility for your residents. Great fun!