Beyond Bingo! Creating joyful, purposeful moments for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia goes far beyond bingo. In dementia care, one of the greatest challenges is finding activities that truly enrich the lives of individuals while meeting their unique cognitive and physical needs. Too often, activity schedules are filled with games like Bingo—an enjoyable pastime, yes, but one…
Repetition: A Foundational Tool in Learning – Repetition is a foundational tool in learning, and this principle is especially valuable in dementia care. For individuals with dementia, the act of repeating certain activities and routines goes beyond mere habit; it plays a critical role in helping them maintain their remaining abilities and, in some cases, even relearn skills that…
The Essential Role and Value of Activity in Life: Why Staying Engaged Matters for Everyone, Especially Those with Dementia Activity is a fundamental component of life that goes beyond physical fitness. When we think of “activity,” we often picture cardio workouts or physical exercise, but activity is much more than that. It encompasses physical, mental, social, and emotional engagement—essential…
Successfully Offering Fail-safe Activities to People Living with Alzheimer’s and Other Types of Dementia – When caring for individuals with dementia, providing meaningful and engaging activities is crucial to their quality of life. Adapted activities not only offer a sense of purpose but also help stimulate cognitive function, reduce anxiety, and enhance emotional well-being. However, finding and offering fail-safe…
The Future of Person-Centered Care: Move Beyond Basic Needs to Meaningful Engagement in Long-Term Care – In long-term care (LTC) settings, meeting residents’ daily needs—such as nutrition, hygiene, and medication—has long been the focus. However, as our understanding of holistic care evolves, it becomes clear that these basic needs are only part of the equation. To truly improve the…
Tangram Puzzles: How did Tangram puzzles get their name? The term “Tangram” refers to an ancient Chinese puzzle that consists of seven geometric pieces (two large triangles, one medium triangle, two small triangles, one square, and one parallelogram) that are used to form various shapes. The name “Tangram” likely combines the Chinese word “Tang,” meaning Chinese, and the Greek…
Creating Person-Centered Activities – There are several things to consider when creating person-centered activities for individuals with cognitive impairments, such as dementia. It requires thoughtful planning and adaptation to ensure they are engaging, meaningful, accessible, and beneficial. Here’s what we need to consider when planning for person-centered activities for people living with dementia in any setting: Understanding Individual Preferences…
Understanding Fear and Paranoia in People Living with Dementia – Fear and paranoia in…
Case for Environmental Changes Benefiting All Residents in a Senior Residence – Environmental changes…
