Running Home

This past week I have had the opportunity to visit several buildings and conduct the TimeSlips activity with clients.  What is TimeSlips you ask?  “It is an activity which allows clients to be creative with storytelling by replacing the pressure to remember with encouragement to imagine with clients who have dementia.”  TimeSlips was original developed for those who have dementia but it is also a great tool for your other clients as well.  I enjoy the TimeSlips program because it allows clients to open up there mind to creativity, memories and emotions!

We would love to come and share this activity with you and your clients, please contact me at tracy@trconnections.com to set up a time and date.

Here is the story Aspen Assisted Living in Ogden’s client created:

Running Home

Mickey hit the ball with his bat and heard the crack of the bat as it made contact. He started running the bases in his clothes that were too big for him. As he was running he could hear the crowd and players cheering and booing him on! He could smell the popcorn, hot dogs, peanuts, beer and the grass as he passed the bases. As Mickey approached home base his helmet came off but that didn’t stop him. He made it home with the umpire yelling “Safe”!

 
Activity: TimeSlips Protocol

Domain: Cognitive

Goal: To improve ability to attend

Objective: To allow clients to be creative with storytelling by replacing the pressure to remember with encouragement to imagine with clients who have dementia.

Group Size:
5-10

Materials:
Wipe board or large flip board
Markers
Name tags
Pictures
TV, tablet, cord

Optional Materials:
Depending on which picture you use. Pick objects to enhance the senses

Space:
Find a space that is relatively quiet and without distractions.
Turn off the TV and radio.
Silence the phone.
Put the chairs in a semi-circle, leave space between them in case you need to move right next to someone in order to be heard.
Avoid sitting at tables, as tables signify eating or other activities. This should feel like a unique, special occasion.

Time:
15 minutes to ½ hour

Description:
1) Select an image ahead of time or have a client help you choose one. If using sensory items you will need to pick the image ahead of time along with sensory objects.
2) Introduce yourself: “My name is Tracy. I’m here to do some storytelling with you today, what do you think of that?”, “It’s great to see you Bill, are you ready for the storytelling? I’m excited!”
3) Ask open ended questions:
a) Where do you think this picture is taken place at?
b) How do you think they/he/she got there?
c) What should we name this person?
d) What do think is happening in this picture?
e) What does it smell like where they are at?
f) What would you feel?
4) Echo/Write down every response/gesture that is given
5) Retell the story every 4-5 answers
6) Thank the storytellers
a) Go around to all the participants and thank them for sharing the process

Secondary Domain: Socialization
Secondary Goal: To develop and build communication skills

 

TRY THESE SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BY MEMORYSTREETS WITH YOUR SENIORS.

ATTENTION: ACTIVITY DIRECTORS

TRY THESE  SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BY MEMORYSTREETS

WITH YOUR SENIORS. GUARANTEED IMMEDIATE PARTICIPATION AND

SMILES. ( WARNING: ONCE YOU START, THEY WON’T WANT TO STOP.)

>AGE-APPROPRIATE FOR THE SENIOR GENERATION > INTERACTIVE > FUN

>STIMULATING > EASY TO USE FORMAT > HELPS BUILD SELF- ESTEEM

>FOR GROUPS LARGE AND SMALL > ENJOYED BY ALL COGNITIVE LEVELS

*** ADDITIONAL SAMPLE PAGE AVAILABLE AT www.memorystreets.com

FINISH THE SONG

I SAW YOU LAST NIGHT AND GOT THAT________________________( OLD FEELING )

IF I KNEW YOU WERE COMING, I’D HAVE_______________________( BAKED A CAKE )

YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL_________________________( BABY )

CAMPTOWN LADIES SING THIS SONG_________________________( DOO-DA, DOO-DA )

YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU___________________________________( I DIDN’T WANT TO DO IT )

HOW THE HECK CAN I WASH MY NECK IF IT AIN’T GONNA_________( RAIN NO MORE)

YES! WE HAVE NO_________________________________________( BANANAS )

I WANT A GIRL, JUST LIKE THE GIRL___________________________( THAT MARRIED DEAR OLD DAD )

EVERY TIME IT RAINS, IT RAINS_______________________________( PENNIES FROM HEAVEN)

KISS ME ONCE AND KISS ME TWICE AND KISS ME ONCE AGAIN____( IT’S BEEN A LONG, LONG TIME )

DOWN BY THE OLD MILL STREAM WHERE I___________________( FIRST MET YOU )

I’M JUST WILD ABOUT HARRY AND__________________________( HARRY’S WILD ABOUT ME )

FINISH THE PHRASE

DON’T CRY OVER_____________________________________( SPILT MILK)

WHEN I WAS SINGLE, MY POCKETS WOULD_______________( JINGLE )

GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT, DON’T LET THE_______________( BEDBUGS BITE )

YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER, BUT________________( YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM DRINK )

LET HIM SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER_____________________( HOLD HIS PEACE )

I SEE LONDON, I SEE FRANCE, I SEE SUZIE’S_____________( UNDERPANTS )

SENIOR TRIVIA

WHAT IS A STUDEBAKER?__________________________________ ( A CAR )

WHO IS PICTURED ON A PENNY?_____________________________( ABRAHAM LINCOLN )

WHO SANG INKA, DINKA DOO?_______________________________( JIMMY DURANTE)

WHAT FESTIVE DANCE IS SEEN DURING OCTOBERFEST?________( THE POLKA )

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE OLD SAYING “23 SKIDOO”?______( TO LEAVE QUICKLY )

WHAT TWO ANIMALS MAKE A MULE?_______________________( A DONKEY AND A HORSE )

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF “THE OLD SOFT SHOE”? ___________( TAP DANCING )

WHAT DOES ( P.O.W.) STAND FOR?_________________________( PRISONER OF WAR )

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE PATRIOTIC MAN WEARING RED, WHITE AND BLUE

WHO POINTED AND SAID “I WANT YOU!”?__________________________( UNCLE SAM )

ALWAYS PROMISING A “REALLY BIG SHOW” WAS VARIETY SHOW HOST, ED____( SULLIVAN )

DO UNTO OTHERS, AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO YOU IS CALLED

“THE GOLDEN___________________________________________”( RULE )

WHO WAS THE GIRL “AS SWEET AS APPLE CIDER”?_____________( IDA )

WHAT BRANCH OF THE MILITARY DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR

“ANCHORS AWEIGH, MY BOYS”?_____________________________( THE NAVY )

IF YOUR NICKNAME IS “HANK” WHAT IS YOUR FORMAL NAME LIKELY TO BE?____( HENRY )

THE TRADITIONAL SONG HEARD WHEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED

STATES ARRIVES IS… “HAIL TO THE _________________________________”( CHIEF )

WHEN SOMETHING REALLY BIG HAPPENED, NEWSBOYS WOULD SHOUT

“EXTRA!.. EXTRA!… READ ALL______________________________” ( ABOUT IT )

WHAT DOES “CASH ON THE BARREL” MEAN?_______________( IMMEDIATE PAYMENT / NO CREDIT )

WHERE IS HACKENSACK?______________________________( NEW JERSEY )

WHERE IS KALAMAZOO?_______________________________( MICHIGAN )

IF YOU GO TO THE THEATER AND ARE SEATED IN “THE PEANUT GALLERY”

WHERE ARE YOU SITTING?_________________________( THE CHEAP SEATS / WAY IN THE BACK )

ACCORDING TO YOUR MOTHER, WHAT ARE YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO

PUT ON THE TABLE WHEN DINING?_____________( YOUR ELBOWS )

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN SOMEONE SAYS “I HAVE TO SEE A MAN

ABOUT A HORSE.”?________________( I HAVE TO USE THE BATHROOM )

MOST WOMAN WILL SAY THEY WANT A MAN WHO IS TALL, DARK

AND____________( HANDSOME )

WHAT DO THESE HAVE IN COMMON

RABBITS FOOT, FOUR LEAF CLOVER, HORSE SHOES________( GOOD LUCK CHARMS )

WIND MILLS, WOODEN SHOES, TULIPS_____________________( THINGS IN HOLLAND )

WOOLWORTH’S, S.S. KRESGE’S, MC CRORY’S______________( FIVE AND DIME STORES)

LIMBURGER CHEESE, ROTTEN EGGS, SKUNKS_____________( FOUL SMELLING / STINKY )

THE LOO, THE LAVATORY, THE LATRINE, THE JOHN__________( OTHER NAMES FOR THE BATHROOM )

TIGHTWADS, SKINFLINTS, PENNY-PINCHERS DON’T LIKE TO PART WITH________( MONEY )

IS YOUR AUDIENCE ASKING FOR MORE? VISIT OUR WEBSITE  www.memorystreets.com

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ONE BOOK $11.95….BUY ALL SIX BOOKS AND SAVE BIG!! ($8.75 PER BOOK & S+H )

 

Coloring Pages

Coloring Pages

I found this website for mandala’s for my clients.  I use these pages for a quick fill in activity and find my clients enjoy expressing their creative side through coloring the different designs.  I add in relaxing music, coloring pencils, paints and markers along with crayons, this way clients have a choice to use what ever tool they would like to express themselves with their own mandala.  I have some clients who will use every tool on their mandala.  When I have a client who is agitated this activity has been very helpful in decreasing agitation.    Some of my clients have expressed to me how relaxing coloring is for them.  I also use coloring to work on fine motor skills also.  I find staff will join in and start up engaging discussions with my clients about childhood memories or ask questions about their mandala.  Their are many ways to use mandala’s including anger management.  If you are working with a client who has anger management issues have them pick colors that express anger and ask them why and how they feel with those colors.  Then pick another mandala have have them pick colors which make them feel calm.  The possibilities are endless!   What I like about coloring is; it is non threatening, the freedom to be creative, the soothing effects it has for my clients, clients have felt they have accomplished a great piece of art and no matter how it is colored they will always be perfect!  How would you use these mandala’s?

 

At Neighborhood House we have OT interns who

At Neighborhood House we have OT interns who do amazing projects for us.  On of the interns put together this list of Dementia Support Groups for Caregivers.  I have given this to many family members who where so thankful for such a great list!

Location	Address	Phone Number	Schedule	Available to:
Legacy Village of Layton	1205 N. Fairfield Rd. Layton, UT 84040	801-589-7510	Every other Tuesday 4:00 p.m.	Caregivers
Autumn Glow Senior Center	81 East Center Street Kaysville, UT 84037	801-535-5069	2nd Tuesday 3:30 p.m.	Caregivers & People with Dementia
Orchard Cove	485 E. 500 S. Bountiful, UT 84010	801-299-4800	Every Thursday 3:00 p.m.	Caregivers
Golden Years Senior Activity Center	726 S. 100 E. Bountiful, UT 84010	801-525-5088	3rd Tuesday 3:30 p.m.	Caregivers & People with Dementia
VA Nursing Home	700 Foothill Blvd. SLC, UT 84107	801-584-1900	1st Wednesday 2:00 p.m.	Caregivers
Silverado Senior Living	1430 E. 4500 S. Holladay, UT 84107	801-272-8000	1st Thursday 6:00 p.m.	Caregivers
Murray Memory Builders	855 E. 4800 S Ste. 100 Murray, UT 84107	801-265-1944	2nd and 4th Wednesday 1:15 p.m.	Caregivers & People with Dementia
Canyon Creek assisted Living and Memory Care	7235 S. Union Park Ave SLC, UT 84047	801-576-1455	2nd Tuesday 6:00 p.m.	Caregivers
Sandy Senior Center Frontotemporal Dementia	9310 S. 1300 E. Sandy, UT 84107	801-231-3442	2nd Wednesday 10:00 a.m.	Caregivers
Carrington Court Assisted Living	1928 W. 9800 S. South Jordan, UT 84095	801-676-7616	3rd Thursday 6:30 p.m.	Caregivers

                              

 

The Longest Day

Join us on June 21, 2013 for The Longest Day^® , as together we honor those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Organize a team for this sunrise-to-sunset event and raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

This event is about patience, strength and endurance – but it’s also about a challenge. On The Longest Day, do something you love – or try something new – to advance the cause! For people facing Alzheimer’s disease, this challenge is every day. For you, it’s just one.

On The Longest Day, it’s time to make a difference.

 

Olympiatrics or the Utah Golden Games

Bring the games back!  URTA is putting together the  Olympiatrics or the Utah Golden Games back together!  If you are interested in getting involved please contact them!

Do you remember the Olympiatrics or the Utah Golden Games? How much satisfaction and joy our residents got out of them!

If you do not remember this wonderful program, here is a brief overview:

The “Games” were put together by RT’s in long term, rehab centers, assisted living and other facilities as a yearly event to promote exercise, friendly competition and a healthy lifestyle in residents in various settings/age groups. We offered different categories to compete in which included, bowling, darts, basketball, golfing, horseshoes, kickball, volleyball,  bean bag toss, walk/wheelchair races and a fun dance competition. The residents would generally practice and train all year long and when the day finally arrived, we would all gather at a centralized location and hold the “Games”. It generally lasted all day. There was a small charge for each entrant, which covered the cost of T-shirts and medals/certificates. At the end of competition, the residents would receive 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rdplace awards in each category.  Even if they didn’t win, each received a special certificate for participation, a T-shirt and a great time.

We are interested in starting the games up again and are willing to head the committee.

What we would need is a count of about how many facilities are interested, and how many would be willing to let us use equipment the day of the event. (Bowling sets, dart sets, golf clubs, and basketball hoops, etc.)

We also would love to have you on the committee! Help us bring back the games to our residents!

Please contact Jena VanBuskirk, 801-458-0363 or Amber Andreason, 801-425-0243 with questions, concerns and please let us know your thoughts!

 

Spring Cooking Class

Susan’s Rhubarb Crisp

http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/spring-fruits-vegetables-recipes#slide-1

Easy Lemon Crumble Bars

http://www.thecountrycook.net/2013/02/easy-lemon-crumble-bars.html

Blueberry Buckle Muffins

http://spoonful.com/recipes/blueberry-buckle-muffins

Strawberry-Orange Pasta Salad

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/strawberry-orange-pasta-salad-104843.aspx

Favorite Topped Deviled Eggs

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/appetizers/deviled-egg-recipes.aspx

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

Don’t forget to checkout http://pinterest.com/trconnections for these recipes and more!

 

 

Spring Crafts

Wind Chime

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/easy-spring-crafts-kids?pnid=316502

Spring Flower Bowl

http://www.marthastewart.com/893166/flower-bowl?czone=holiday/easter-center/easter-crafts-and-decor&center=276968&gallery=274529&slide=893166

Daffodil Suncatchers

http://www.baby.co.uk/life_and_home/20130216spring-craft-for-toddlers-daffodil-suncatchers/

Yarn Butterflies

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/984757/spring-crafts-for-kids

Spring Nature Crafts

http://thelongthread.com/?p=7562

Egg Carton Bug Mobile

http://crafts.slides.kaboose.com/336-spring-crafts/6

Spring Tote Bag

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/easy-spring-crafts-kids?pnid=316496&src=soc&dom=pinterest

Also look on http://pinterest.com/trconnections for more spring craft ideas!

 

“Cooking From The Heart” – February Cooking Groups

Also check out Pinterest http://pinterest.com/trconnections for more cooking group ideas

Easy Microwave Cracker Jack Recipe

• 4-6 quart. popped popcorn
• 1-2 c. shelled peanuts
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1 cube butter
• 1/4 c. Karo syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon soda

Directions

1. In large paper bag, put popcorn and peanuts. In 1 1/2 qt glass bowl, put brown sugar, butter and Karo syrup. Put syrup in microwave on High for 2 min. Stir. Microwave on High for 3 min. Add in soda. Pour syrup over popcorn. Shake to mix. Place popcorn, in bag, in microwave 1 1/4 min on High. Shake; microwave 1 minute on High. Cold. Enjoy. Store in an air tight container.

Cherry Pie – http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cherry-Pie-II/

Chinese New Year Fortune Cookies

Fortune Cookies for Valentines & Lunar New Year

Super Easy Mardi Gras King Cake

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/super-easy-mardi-gras-king-cake/

Best Ever Chocolate Mousse

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/The-Best-Ever-Chocolate-Mousse-Recipe-Ever/Detail.aspx

Big Soft Ginger Cookies

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/big-soft-ginger-cookies/Detail.aspx

Individual Cherry Pies

Ingredients:

1 box of Graham Crackers
Muffin baking pan
Muffin paper cups
1 can Cherry pie filling

Directions:

Just take the muffin pan and line with
the muffin cups,then crumble graham
crackers into bottom of cups for the
crust,top with cherry filling.Thats it. No
need to bake.Just take out of pan
and eat

Valentine Crispy Cutouts

Recipe Rating:
Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 20 min
Makes: 12 servings, 1 cutout each

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 pkg. (10 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallows or 1 pkg. (10-1/2 oz.) JET-PUFFED
Miniature Marshmallows
8 drops red food coloring
6 cups crisp rice cereal
Assorted decorating icings

Directions:
MELT butter in large saucepan on low heat. Add marshmallows; cook until
marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring
constantly. Remove from heat. Add food coloring; mix well.
STIR in cereal. Press firmly into greased 15x10x1-inch pan. Cool completely.
CUT into heart shapes with greased 4-inch cookie cutters. Decorate with icings
as desired.

Valentines Soda

Ingredients:

Punch bowl
2 litter of 7 up
Strawberry Ice Cream
Whipped Cream
Strawberry sprinkles

Directions:

Just put the 7up in the punch bowl and
put scoops of strawberry ice cream
into the 7 up,top with whipped cream
and then sprinkles.

Brown Sugar Blondies
adapted from Allrecipes.com

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup to 1 1/3 cup M&M’s

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside. Melt 1/3 cup butter. Add 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar and mix well. Cool slightly. Add egg (beaten) and vanilla and blend well. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing well. Mix in 2/3 cup M&M’s. Spread in 9 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Sprinkle 1/3 to 2/3 cup M&M’s on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Baked Crab Won Tons Recipe

Heart Healthy Recipe Diabetes Recipe

Here’s a quick and easy appetizer recipe that is sure to impress your guests. These baked crab won tons are a healthy alternative to fried crab cakes.

Ingredients

• • 1/2 cup light cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1 Tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 can (6 oz) jumbo crabmeat
  • 30 won ton wrappers
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 Tbsp water

Preparation

• • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, green onions, mayonnaise, garlic, black pepper and ginger until combined. Gently stir in crabmeat. Set aside.
  • Lightly coat 2 muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. Place 1 won ton wrapper in each cup. Fill each won ton wrapper evenly with crab mixture. Wrap won ton corners down.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together egg white and water.
  • Brush egg white wash over won tons.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until won ton edges are golden brown. Repeat with remaining won tons and filling. Serve warm.

Yield: 15 serving

 

On the Go activity kits

Merab at Silverado has put together some great “on the go” activity kits for both her activity assistants and CNA staff.

The first kit is a “beauty club” kit. She has all of the supplies needed to perform the activity including: the name of the activity in a little frame with a stand, manicure supplies, hair styling supplies, beauty supplies as well as different magazines/pictures about beauty.

The second kit is the the “cameo boutique” kit.  Again she has the name of the activity in a little frame with a stand (purchased cheap at Ross), some costume jewelry, mirrors, scarves, and pictures.  On the back of the laminiated pictures, she has a write up on how to lead the activity including different reminisce topics that you may discuss with the residents.  She keeps this kit in a wicker basket in a place where both activity and CNA staff can easily access and use as an impromptu activity.

Thanks for sharing!