Monday: What was the goal you set last week? Did you accomplish it? If not, think about what kept you from accomplishing it, and what adjustments you can make so you will accomplish it next time.
Tuesday: Call a friend or family member today to visit for a few minutes.
Wednesday: Do something creative today like write a poem, draw, scrapbook, etc.
Thursday: Go take a walk in this nice fall weather.
Friday: Write about whatever you are feeling today.
Saturday: Fall is here and the leaves are falling, spend a few hours today in your yard raking up leaves and pulling out weeds. Your yard will look great when you are all done.
Sunday: Organize activities for next week
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Creating a Support System
Working in the home care industry, I frequently hear stories about the pain and misfortune that many families experience with their loved ones. It doesn't get any easier to hear, and I can't help but keep a positive attitude for these families and just hope that everything will work out.
I realize that it doesn't always work out. However, I think it is very important to have at least one person in your life that will maintain a "the glass is half full" attitude. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and get in a negative mindset, which doesn't help anyone. If there is no one currently in your life that can fill this role then look up local support groups in your area. Meeting people that are in similar positions as you can help out.
So next time you catch yourself getting upset, anxious, or frustrated about the situation. Go to that person that you know will see the positive side, and most importantly give you hope.
I realize that it doesn't always work out. However, I think it is very important to have at least one person in your life that will maintain a "the glass is half full" attitude. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and get in a negative mindset, which doesn't help anyone. If there is no one currently in your life that can fill this role then look up local support groups in your area. Meeting people that are in similar positions as you can help out.
So next time you catch yourself getting upset, anxious, or frustrated about the situation. Go to that person that you know will see the positive side, and most importantly give you hope.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Caregiver Activities for the Week
Monday: Set one goal you want to accomplish this week. Write it down and brainstorm about how you will accomplish this goal. Next week we will refer back to your goal.
Tuesday: It's National Aging in Place Week. Check around to see if there are any educational events going on in your community. In Broken Arrow, Ok there is an event today discussing how scrapbooking can be an effective tool for someone with Alzheimer's or Dementia.
Wednesday: Write about whatever you are feeling today.
Thursday: With the cool weather here, it is a great time to curl up and read a good book. Find a book that interests you and try to read for a few minutes each day, and relax.
Friday: Are there people in your life you don't get to talk to as much as you would like? Schedule a specific day and time that you will talk to this person every week. Incorporating activities such as these into your schedule is a great way to make sure you stay socially engaged
Saturday: With Halloween around the corner, if you haven't already take some time today and think about what fun activity you and your loved one can do on Halloween to celebrate. It can be something as simple as getting candy to hand out to trick or treaters that evening.
Sunday: Plan and organize next week's schedule.
Tuesday: It's National Aging in Place Week. Check around to see if there are any educational events going on in your community. In Broken Arrow, Ok there is an event today discussing how scrapbooking can be an effective tool for someone with Alzheimer's or Dementia.
Wednesday: Write about whatever you are feeling today.
Thursday: With the cool weather here, it is a great time to curl up and read a good book. Find a book that interests you and try to read for a few minutes each day, and relax.
Friday: Are there people in your life you don't get to talk to as much as you would like? Schedule a specific day and time that you will talk to this person every week. Incorporating activities such as these into your schedule is a great way to make sure you stay socially engaged
Saturday: With Halloween around the corner, if you haven't already take some time today and think about what fun activity you and your loved one can do on Halloween to celebrate. It can be something as simple as getting candy to hand out to trick or treaters that evening.
Sunday: Plan and organize next week's schedule.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Scrapbooking to Cope with Dementia
Scrapbooking is lots of fun. Interestingly, scrapbooking is also effective tool for memory preservation for folks with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Photographs remind people of pleasant times, and sometimes even have the capability of calming a person down when he or she is in a stressed state.
Depending on the type of Alzheimer’s or Dementia one has, the scrapbook can be used to assist in reminiscing about the past or to help them relate to their current situation.
Scrapbooks are also a good tool for professional caregivers to use, particularly when the patient is asking questions about his or her past. With the scrapbook, the caregiver has the capability to answer the question.
Using specific techniques can help maximize the usefulness of scrapbooks for people with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
· Use close-up pictures of the person or object
· Use captions to describe each picture. Include who is in it, and a little information about the person. Use large, legible print.
· Keep it simple. Avoid cluttering pages with extraneous décor, not directly related to the photos.
To learn more, A Better Life Homecare is having a scrapbooking event on October 13 at 1:00. Call 918.392.3838 for details.
Photographs remind people of pleasant times, and sometimes even have the capability of calming a person down when he or she is in a stressed state.
Depending on the type of Alzheimer’s or Dementia one has, the scrapbook can be used to assist in reminiscing about the past or to help them relate to their current situation.
Scrapbooks are also a good tool for professional caregivers to use, particularly when the patient is asking questions about his or her past. With the scrapbook, the caregiver has the capability to answer the question.
Using specific techniques can help maximize the usefulness of scrapbooks for people with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
· Use close-up pictures of the person or object
· Use captions to describe each picture. Include who is in it, and a little information about the person. Use large, legible print.
· Keep it simple. Avoid cluttering pages with extraneous décor, not directly related to the photos.
To learn more, A Better Life Homecare is having a scrapbooking event on October 13 at 1:00. Call 918.392.3838 for details.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Caregiver Activities for the Week
Monday: Write about your favorite moment from last week.
Tuesday: Friends and family are a great gift. Spend time or call one that you haven't contacted in a while. Then write about how you felt afterward.
Wednesday: Take a ten minute break from your busy schedule to relax. That can mean just resting your eyes, reading, watching tv, etc.
Thursday: How are you feeling today? Respond to this question in your journal.
Friday: This past weekend I went and walked at the Annual Alzheimer's Memory Walk. Find organizations in your area that you are passionate about and volunteer or participate in their events. This is something you and your loved one can do together.
Saturday: With Halloween just around the corner, have a fun pumpkin decorating activity today. Go pick out a couple of pumpkins and some paint and brushes and use your imagination. You are guaranteed to have a fun time.
Sunday: Organize next week's activities and appointments
Tuesday: Friends and family are a great gift. Spend time or call one that you haven't contacted in a while. Then write about how you felt afterward.
Wednesday: Take a ten minute break from your busy schedule to relax. That can mean just resting your eyes, reading, watching tv, etc.
Thursday: How are you feeling today? Respond to this question in your journal.
Friday: This past weekend I went and walked at the Annual Alzheimer's Memory Walk. Find organizations in your area that you are passionate about and volunteer or participate in their events. This is something you and your loved one can do together.
Saturday: With Halloween just around the corner, have a fun pumpkin decorating activity today. Go pick out a couple of pumpkins and some paint and brushes and use your imagination. You are guaranteed to have a fun time.
Sunday: Organize next week's activities and appointments
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