Sensory Stimulation

Population: Dementia, Alzheimers

                                                                                     
Size of Group: 3-6

Equipment:
A box- To carry all of the objects listed below.
Sight- binder full of pictures, Lava lamp and a glitter ball.
Touch- Shower puff, play dough, Textured ball, the glitter ball can apply here too, hand lotion.
Smell- Lavender body wash (or essential oil and diffuser)
Hearing- CD player and relaxation CD
Taste- anything that you would like to (be sure to take residents diets into account) The great thing about this box is that you can individualize it to your client/resident or group and your box can grow, anything that may stimulate a person may go into this box.


Objective:
* To provide a clam and relaxing environment
* To provide clam and relaxation to a client/resident emotions
* To stimulate all of the senses
* To provide clients/residents with a sense of well being


Description:
To get started turn on the lava lamp and the CD player with the relaxation music, lower the lights place all of the other sensory items on the table, pour some body wash in to a bowl and pour hot water over it (great for long term home setting, because of fire codes you may not be able to use essential oils and diffuser) the sent will fill the air. Then start bring resident into the room. As you bring the clients in encourage them to look through the picture book, to touch the play dough and so on. As you look through the picture book ask questions or ask them to tell you a story/memory that coincides with the picture. The taste part of the program can be the refreshments.

Sensory Stimulations

Stories out of a Hat

Population: Aging Population and Alzheimers

Size: 4+

Equipment: Hat or bowl
strips of construction with descriptive questions

Objective: stimulate memory
allow staff to see clients as ""real people""
encourage communication, sharing and trust within group

Description: prior to session group leader will write out memory stimulating questions and/or phrases on the strips of paper, fold paper in half and place in hat/bowl.

Questions will reflect group objectives for session. for example, favorite memory of mom?
favorite book or movie, Why?
favorite season what is your favorite thing to do?
who were you closest to growing up?
 best friend story, first drive in date, each client/staff chose a slip from the hat.

 Tell their story and pass the hat on.

Cognitive Stimulation

Hooping!

Last night's class was a lot of fun and very educational!  A lady came in that talked to us about hooping.  Hooping (hula hooping) can be used for a variety of different purposes.  She came in and talked to us about how a hooping program would benefit the clients that we would be working with.  There was so much that she talked about that I am just going to touch on a few things.

First off, did you know that Hooping burns just as many calories as being at a boot camp?  WOW right?  What about helping you build stronger muscles? Okay, that one does make sense.  But most of all, she talked about how it helped you become one with your inner sense of self.  When you hoop, you are connected mentally, physically, and spiritually.  Nothing else should matter and you are just in the moment.  Of course there are people that do it for entertainment and there is a link below that you can watch demonstrating that but what I got out of last night's presentation was how it can connect you within yourself.  I am definately going to try to keep it going in my life and maybe one day facilitate an activity on Hooping with my future clients.

Hooping Life

Relaxing Tuesday!

Last Tuesday our class participated in activities such as: relaxation, sports and recreation games, and drama.  However, I was very ill that day so I had to spend my "relaxing Tuesday" in my bed sleeping while everyone was enjoying the activities at class.  

I did talk to a peer of mine and she gave me some insight on what class all entailed and from what I understood, I would like to talk a little about it.

The first group was Relaxation.  They made stress balls out of balloons and also did a little bit of guided imagery.  I, myself to meditation and guided imagery and think this is a huge topic that everyone should discuss with their clients at some point and time.  There are versions for all types of populations and age groups.  Making a stress ball is also a good way to relieve stress.  I actually have a stress cow that was given to me from my Uncle that I use while I am working on papers and projects.  I stop from time to time to think about what I should write in my paper and squeeze the stress cow to release pressure/stress.  I think it really helps me!

The second group that went talked about drama.  They showed drama by taking random, daily objects and splitting the class up into groups.  With the object, they were to pretend they didn't know what it was and think of a way they could use it.  A clip was shown from The Little Mermaid when Ariel uses a fork to comb her hair.  I guess it was very humorous and a lot of fun.  This would be really good for a population that has a hard time expressing their creativity and thinking outside of the box rather than just focusing on their problems all of the time.  It would be a time to get away for just a little bit.

The third and final group was Recreation Sports. The peer that I talked about mentioned two games that they had played.  One game she couldn't exactly remember what it was called or how it was played but the other one was similar to a relay game.  However, one person was blindfolded and others would have to instruct you through an obstacle course.  I think that this would be very beneficial and is clearly a trust initiative.  A population that you could work with on this particular activity could be abused/neglected children or persons of any matter.  It would work on their trust skills little by little.

Product Slogans

Population
Cognitive Defecits

Benefits
Mental: memory, creativity
Emotional: feelings of success, competence, challenge
Social: group interaction, conversation

Greeting Suggestions
Have participants exchange names
Have members think of their favorite advertisements
As a group, brainstorm to name quality products

Activity
We often identify products with the slogans used to advertise them over the years. This activity will challenge the participants to remember and connect products with the appropriate slogan.

1.Matching. Write 5-10 slogans on a large sheet of paper. Hand out
Pictures of the products and have participants match each with the corresponding slogan.

2. Guessing. Read a slogan and ask participants to call out the corresponding product. This may be done in teams or individually.

3. Create a Slogan. Have individuals or small groups create their own
Slogans for a number of products. See if the rest of the group can guess the right product for each slogan.

More information on Product Slogans

Depression Jeopardy

Size of Group:
4 to 12 participants

Equipment:
 white board, dry erase markers, list of depression related jeopardy questions with answers

Objective:
Educational game of jeopardy meant to teach mental illness patients about depression. Participants will learn about symptoms, medications, coping skills, causes, and types of depression.

Description:

1. Draw a Jeopardy layout on the whiteboard by writing the categories at the top of the board and the point amounts underneath of them. (Ed note: you can also create a Jeopardy board on a power point and use a projector or large screen TV)

2. Divide participants into teams depending on the total number in the group.

3. Instruct clients to choose a category and the number of points they want to go for.

4. Ask the team a question related to depression and tell them to work together to come up with an answer.

5. If the team is unable to answer the question correctly the next team can steal the question by answering it with the correct answer. This continues until all teams have had a chance to answer the question.

6. If there is a tie between two teams at the end of the game, provide a tie breaker question for both teams to answer.

For Examples of Questions Click HERE!

Sock it to ME!

Population: Alzheimer's

Size of Group: Groups of 5

Equipment: old socks of different colors--the bigger the better. Inside each sock is hidden an item that participants will guess.

Objective: Each person gets a chance to guess what is in each sock.

Description: The game can be played in a variety of different ways. Socks can be open so participants can take items out after they guess -- or to control the guessing, each sock can be tied into a knot after inserting an item to be guessed.
Each person can be given a different sock/item to guess, then you mix them up and give each person a different sock/item to guess.
OR - you can give a sock to the first person and let them make a guess, pass it to the next person and let them make a guess. After the last person guesses, the facilitator/activity professional re-caps the all the guesses - then tells what is in the sock. Celebrate successes.
Items to be placed inside socks can include: wooden clothes pin, 2 crayons, comb, tennis ball, pacifier, small baby cup, plastic eye glasses, measuring spoon 1 T size, wooden cooking spoon, etc.
Remember - Have fun with some of the guesses.

More on Alzheimer Activities!

Quad Rugby

WHO CAN PLAY?
Players may have various disabilities that preclude their play in able-bodied sport competition. Players must have a combination of upper and lower extremity impairment to be considered as eligible to participate. Most of the players have sustained cervical level spinal injuries and have some type of quadriplegia as a result. Players are given a classification number from one of seven classifications ranging from 0.5 - 3.5. The 0.5 player has the greatest impairment and is comparable to a C5 quadriplegic. Of those eligible to participate, the 3.5 player has the least impairment and is similar to a C7-8 incomplete quadriplegic. Both male and females are encouraged to play, and because of the classification process gender advantages don't exist.

THE GAME
Four players from each team are allowed on the court at a time. Classifications of the four players on the court must total no more than 8.0 points at one time. The action occurs on a regulation-sized basketball court with some minor changes.

A goal line at each end of the court measures eight meters.
A key area extends from the goal line and is 1.75 meters deep.
During the games team players pass a volleyball back and forth while advancing into the opponent's half court and then crossing over the goal line with the ball in one player's possession. While the offense is trying to advance the ball, the defense is trying to take it away and keep the opposing team from scoring. Certain restrictions apply in the key area. One restriction is that only three defensive players are allowed in the key, and if a fourth enters, a penalty can be assessed or a goal awarded. Another restriction is that an offensive player can only stay in the key area for ten seconds. Otherwise a turnover will be assessed.
BASIC RULES

• A player has 15 seconds to advance the ball into the opponents half-court.
• Fouls are assessed and penalties can include awarding of a goal, a timed penalty or a turnover.
• A player with the ball has unrestricted pushes but must pass or dribble the ball every 10 seconds or a turnover is awarded.

EQUIPMENT
Will be provided and/or able to purchase through the organization nearest to you.  Such as: protective clothing, wheelchair, types of balls, etc.

Further Information Please Click on the Official Quad Rugby Website Below
Find the nearest team to you!

Sensory Hands - Activity for Dementia populations

Sensory Hands 

Population: Dementia 

Size: any size, but preferably no larger than 14

Equipment: washcloths, lotion (regular from facility or sometimes I use aroma therapy lotion from Bath and Body Works), music for calming and relaxation, a basin, warm water, and small garbage bags, Purel

Objective: Objective is to calm the patients down in the morning after breakfast and treatment and for more individualized attention.

Description: The activity is simple but rewarding. At my facility I do this on Tuesdays and Thursdays with my dementia patients. This was started by one of my co-workers.

Put on the music in a private room, preferably a room with a sink.

Next fill up a large basin with very warm water. Put in your washcloths to get them nice and warm. Place one of the garbage bags next to the basin/sink for used washcloths.

Then, one patient at a time, take a washcloth and cover the persons hands for about a minute. You will instantly see their faces relax. I also use this time to orient them to what day it is. Put the used washcloth into the "garbage" bag. Then put lotion on the patients hands and give them a hand massage. If you are using the aroma therapy lotion, allow them to smell it. I like the relaxation or awakening lotions because they really seem to have a good effect on the patients mood.

Continue this until all of the patients are taken care of, and then return them to the activity room. Make sure to wash your hands between each patient or use Purel! It is all about infection control. Also have fun!


More Activities for Dementia Populations!

Innovative Arts and Crafts!

This past Tuesday we did a variety of activities transformed into innovative activities.  Activities included was Book Altering, Rhythm, Dance, and Music, and Challenge Courses.  My favorite activity that we did and took away the most was Book Altering.


Book Altering is completely expressive and everyone's is unique and in the end, has a story.  We had several stations including: bubble painting, paper mache with tissue paper, magazine cut outs, making poems, and then making doors in the books by cutting out shapes inside the books to make deep pockets.  This could be used for a variety of different populations.  I would advise it mostly to use it for adolescents, adults, and possibly even long term care.  I chose adolescents and adults because during that time of our lives we are going through a lot of stuff and on top of that, some people have disabilities, been abused, or harassed and this is such an easy non-verbal way for them to get their emotions out in such a creative way in that they enjoy!  I chose long term care as well because I thought they would be able to reminise about their pasttimes and it would encourage coversation with other residents and increase their social skills.  However, I do believe that if you were to do this project in long term care, you would have to take into consideration their limitations and would be willing to help them.


I do not have a picture of the book I altered but I found a website all about book altering.  Check it out!

Instructions On How to Alter!

Relaxxxxx*

This past Tuesday was talking all about relaxation and guided imagery.  Our class talked about the definition of relaxation and the words we came up with were: destress, calming down, and distancing yourself from stressors.  Personal activities that we do is sleeping, reading, exercising, watching movies, deep breathing, and going for walks.  When you are working with clients you should be aware of their body, decrease their stress and anxiety, use it as a coping skill, and they should practice in order to be less stressed and more relaxed.

CTRS skills develop a variety of approaches, lead by example, develop relaxation kit, become confident in leading quiet exercises, and incorporate journaling after the relaxation techniques. 

When it comes to breathing, body position and posture is very important.  Another thing that is important is make sure you are breathing from your diaphragm.  Start simple and build onto it as you keep practicing. 

Ride to Walk

I was always interested in Therapeutic Horseback Riding but never really looked into it.  So I am taking the time to make this post just on therapeutic horseback riding itself. 

I found this website called Ride to Walk that gave quite a bit of information on horseback riding.  It stresses that their program enhances the lives of children and young adults with neurological disabilities by providing innovative therapeutic horseback riding activities that are recreational in nature and adapted to the individual’s needs and disabilities. Ride To Walk received non-profit status in 1988 and is North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) certified. We serve children with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, attention deficit disorder, head trauma and sensory processing challenges.

You might ask yourself who can ride?  Well everyone can ride!  A few examples of different populations are listed below.

• Autism
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Spina Bifida
• Post Polio Speech Impairments
• Brain Injuries

...and many more!

The benefits of horseback riding are as numerous as the types of disabilities and conditions served. Research shows that students who participate in therapeutic riding can experience physical, emotional and mental rewards. Because horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength.

When it comes to equipment, this website did not state any special equipment that you would have to purchase beforehand.  As a beginner the facility would be able to provide the equipment that would be needed.  However, if you were to get really interested in it, you may want to purchase your own equipment that you would need (helmets and other safety gear).

Click here to learn more about Ride To Walk

Here is another link about therapeutic horseback riding that I found was informative as well.  Check it out!
Riding Unlimited