Hello! I hope everyone is surviving Lockdown at their homes. It has been a truly crazy, crazy year. I can definitely say we have all learned to get a little …creative. With many of us unable to conduct group activities as we are used to, we have started a Creative Cart Revolution and I’m here for it! I do hope that if you haven’t joined this revolution, you will find inspiration here. I’m so thankful to all the wonderful men and women that have shared their lovely creations with me for this post. There are truly a LOT of creative people out there, cheers to you! I won’t ramble on,…

As an Activity Coordinator, things can get really busy and there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day.  It’s hard to sneak away time at your desk for notes or planning because every activity is so hands on.  Well, I have come up with a list of 10 activities most seniors should be able to do independently so you can take some time to work at your desk, plan activities or just catch up on emails.   1. Gardening Club I just set out supplies on a table, zip lock of dirt, flower pot, seeds, water, maybe some small plants.  Sometimes I leave markers, stickers or paint so…

Some of my favorite activities are large group activities. I love having everyone in one big room having fun together. Also, sometimes we are short handed or it’s been a very active week and the residents still need activities but maybe not such physical activities. I have come up with 10 easy to plan group activities that everyone can participate in and enjoy, no matter their ability level. Auction To prepare for this fun activity, I ask the residents to donate items such as clothes, purses, blankets, books, puzzles, etc that they no longer use to the auction to be “bought” by someone else. I obviously work as a quality…

As an Activity Coordinator, I definitely know how it is to work under a budget and as a former teacher, I know how it is to work with practically no budget too! So I’ve compiled a short list (I’m sure I’ll add to as I think of them) of some free resources that any Activity Coordinator or Director can use. 1.http://www.supercoloring.com Website for drawing tutorials and printer friendly coloring sheets. The drawing tutorials in particular have been well received in my activities. 2.http://www.youtube.com Why is YouTube great? You can find literally almost any kind of videos. There are simulated travel videos, my group loves these, you can travel to so…

Just Some Quick Background about the Genetics/causes of the Disease There is an undoubtable link between genetics and Alzheimer’s disease. In looking at genetic studies about diseases and risk factors, 2 categories are important, risk genes and deterministic genes (https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors). Risk genes make someone more likely to develop the disease, an increased risk but not a guarantee. Deterministic genes cause the disease, flat out, if you have these particular type of genes for a certain disease, you are guaranteed to have or develop the disease. The great news is that according to www.alz.org, less than 1% of all cases of Alzheimer’s Disease are caused by deterministic genes. That means that…

These are all resources that I use personally at our facility. I’ve gotten great feedback on these programs from the residents, so I thought I’d share! If you see a program that would work for your group, simply click the photo for the link. All links are through Amazon, I almost exclusively use them when buying products for my facility because their return policy is so easy and quick just in case it doesn’t work out. My residents love this workout because it shows both standing exercises and chair exercise options, so everyone can participate together. You do only 30 second bursts of activity followed by a short cool down.…

Gifts they will not only use, but will enjoy! *For your convenience, links to products can be found by clicking on the images* 1.  Joy For All Therapy Companion This is a perfect gift for a loved one who is lonely or who had to give up a pet when they moved into a care facility.  We personally use these quite often at my facility and they are always a big hit with the residents.  They come in a variety of styles and colors.  They are on the expensive side (between $99 – $120) however for the responsiveness and quality, I do think it’s a fair price for what you…