dementia expert

You should be ready for a New Year’s celebration with someone who has dementia. Your hat on your head and ready to party on in whatever manner you so choose.

Just a note, making hats like this can be done for other holidays and special occasions. For example: Valentines day and Mardi gras are coming up.

Moving on to the next topic- New Year’s Resolutions

What resolutions are you going to make and keep?

It is easy to say you are going to do something. It is much harder to actually do it.

If you are a caregiver or a healthcare professional, you have seen first hand what  Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can do to people. Beyond that, you have seen what these diseases have done to families.

At least eighty percent of people in long term care have some form of dementia

What will you do in 2009 to stave off Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in you and in those you care about?

In the next series of posts to follow, I will give you some suggestions and ways to keep those New Year’s resolutions

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

At thr end of the last post, I suggsted that there was another important part to making this easy,  fun and useful New Year’s craft, the hat. This, as I am sure you can tell, is a great activity to be done with all who have dementia, whether they are in long term care or not. Also those who are in long term care will enjoy and benefit from this activity even if they do not have dementia.

If you looked at the picture from 2 posts ago, you probably could tell that it is the use of stickers and post it notes with different, and seasonal shapes that have a lot of stickiness to them.

I find these at the dollar store and local drug stores and at office supply stores. I find the post it note paper good because it is easy to handle and can be passed out rapidly if you have to offer the group members a high degree of help.

What I usually do is to do this craft with one or two groups making 30-50 hats.Then I let a high functioning helper or two finish the rest.

I then pass out the hats at our New Year’s celebration. I take a rool of tape and fit the hat to each person. Altenately, measure the hat size against an average head of a potential participant. Then make some hats to that size before the event you need them for. you can always adjust the size later, if necessary. After the celebration, I go from room to room of those who did not come to our party, give them a hat and a glass of pseudo champagne, and wish them well for the new year

Next A final word and New Year’s resolutions to stave off dementia or slow the decline of dementia

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

We were discussing a great New Year’s craft for those with dementia.

Now let us talk about what to do with the half sheet of 11 x 17 paper with the New Year’s message written on it.

I give all in the group a magic marker and tell them to start coloring any part of the hat anyway they want to. Some are afraid to do anything because they think they may be doing it wrong. I assure them that there is no wrong way. I also may make a  few suggestions. I spend more time with the lower functioning folks in the group. I ask them where I should color for them or I have one of my high functioning stars help them out. Sometimes I say that I can tell by their smile that this is what they want me or someone else to do.

Another very important part of the project as you can tell by the picture in the last post is the use of………

Tomorrow, my friend

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

Here is the hatWe were discussing a New Year’s activity for those with dementia.

The activity is a craft which is the creation of a simple hat for a New Year’s Eve celebration.

I print out a conversation stimulating saying for the hat. This year I chose, “Life will be fine in 2009”

However feel free to make up a saying of your own, or use mine.

After I print it.using the landscape format, so it is wider than it is long, I enlarge it 1.5 times and copy it to an 11 x 17 piece of paper. Most copying machines will allow you to do this. I also put a few little graphics on it in case anyone wants to color them in. As you can see from the picture. I printed two on each page. I do this with……..

Come back tomorrow for the final installment just in time for your New Year’s Eve celebration

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

We are going to take a break from serious dementia matters and concentrate on a fun activity that will bring much joy and purpose to those with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and other long term care residents.

Arts and craft projects are often difficult for dementia persons and alike. Usually there are many steps to follow and there can be other impairments as well.

Here is an easy to do craft that will bring on miles of smiles and will naturally invite discussion about the upcoming new year.

It can also be used during a New Year’s celebration.

This activity works best if you have a computer or some other sort of word processor. However a hand printed display will also work.

Are you curious? I am sorry I ran out of room so come back tomorrow to learn how to do this craft;

Have you ever thought about writing your own blog. For a limited time, you can sign up to do this mind stimulating activity to do alone , with someone who has dementia, or as a group project with co-workers or family and friends. The side benefit is you get paid for doing it. Click here http://www.today.com/ctr.cgi?idx_mem=4893&mode=vip for more details.

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

I am taking another important deviation  from my routine blogging comments about dementia.

Today, I would like to announce that I am half way there in picking out blogs to receive the Lemonade Award. If you have a blog that you think is worthy of this award, please leave a comment in that section with your web address so I can see it.

Blogs winning this award are supposed to show great attitude and gratitude. Does your blog meet this criteria?.

I want to thank www.mosaicmoments.today.com for nominating me.I hope to do the same soon. Do not be shy. If you are deserving of the award, let the world know.

I am anxious to see your blog

You do not have a blog?1?  Then the next time you visit this blog or my other blog,  http://alzact.today.com  make sure to sign up. Click on the following link to get more details.

 http://www.today.com/ctr.cgi?idx_mem=4893&mode=vip

It is a great mind stimulating activity. It will help stave off dementia. It is a great pastime for you and someone you know to work on together and earn a little cash as a side benefit.

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

Can you believe Christmas is finally here. All the preparation and planning has finally paid off. Even if things do not go as planned, and they rarely do especially if your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, please make it the best day possible.

If you followed my advice and the advice of others, yo have a safe Christmas tree and house. You will be keeping the choas and extraneous noise to a minimum. Perhaps you hired a professional caregiver, so you do not have to worry about your loved one with dementia for a few hours.

Perhaps you are spending a quiet day with your loved one and will visit with family and friends another day.

Whatever you and your loved one have decided to do whether it is watch a Christmas classic together, listen and sing some Christmas music, pray together or just chill, have the best holiday possible.

Do not soething that is no longer possible. Enjoy the magic moments that bring joy to both of you.

Again, Merry Christmas or Happy Chanukah.

From Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

To all the readers of this blog who are eager to learn more about dementia, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas. 

Try to relax on Christmas day. Enjoy the holiday. Remember it is not just about giving gifts, but more importantly, it is about being with family and friends and taking pleasure in their company. 

It is about remembering the good times and forgetting the bad. It is about letting go of useless grudges. 

It is about enjoying the moment because with dementia, that is all you may get. Remember to create your own moments of joy so you and your dementia friends can have the most joyous holiday possible 

Thank you all for making “Dementia Today” a stop on your blogging journey. In the days to come, I will be discussing more information about dementia that you will find most helpful. See you soon and….. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS or HAPPY CHANUKAH

From Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

This is the final chapter on safe Christmas trees for those with dementia for now.

We discussed when the traditional tree is not safe for the person with dementia, what you can do.

We were talking about having a paper tree attached to the wall. I think a green paper tree is best for now. You can add paper chain garland if you think it is safe.

Let us move on to some news about dementia treatment. It has been reported that an experimental drug called Dimebon seems to be helping people who have memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Early clinical trials in Russia and Europe show that this drug improves the memory people with short term memory problems

Come back tomorrow to learn more

Remember to leave comments and questions

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com

When the traditional tree is not safe for the person with dementia, you can do several things. You can have a traditional tree in a locked room tha the person with dementia can enter only if he is  closely supervised. If the person is like a jack rabbit , that is he/she can get into trouble in the blink of an eye, you, the caregiver, will have to enjoy a tree somewhere else.Maybe things next year will be different.

Anyway for a Christmas tree you and the dementia person can both enjoy, consider putting up a large green paper tree on the wall. You can cut one out of green colored paper or white paper and have the individual with dementia color the tree in.I would suggest….

Come back tomorrow to find out

Remember to leave commentsand questions

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com
http://alzact.today.com