Dementia Solutions

ActivTimes provides creative strategies that address essential questions in the delivery of engagement services to persons with dementia. Creative approaches are addressed in the monthly “Purple Thumb Club” newsletter. The following topics are examined.

1. What does engagement look like for someone who cannot tell us?
2. Is it OK to tell a “Therapeutic fib”?
3. How do you know when a person is ready to end an activity?
4. How do you know if the activity is dignified?
5. Is it OK to display items created by the residents that look juvenile?
6. When is it OK to have people with significant cognitive challenges in programs with those who have mild impairment?
7. If a person expresses the desire to “rest” or “go to their room” when is this appropriate?
8. Is it right for a person to be in a group if they have difficulty “waking up”?
9. How do you determine when the family’s goals for a person with dementia override the resident’s preferences?
10. Do you think all programs should be 30 minutes in length?
11. Do you think specific times should be entered on the resident calendar for memory care communities?
12. How many times per day do you feel all residents should be in one large group?
13. If a resident is physically in a group, but does not respond to people or objects, is that activity participation? Are all groups for all people?
14. Is it a successful activity if a resident watches the activity director or volunteer complete the intended activity.
15. When is it determined that a resident needs a supportive outcome rather than cognitive stimulation?
16. Do dolls, stuffed animals and crayons promote dignity in dementia care?
17. Because a person with dementia has difficulty initiating an activity, when is it OK to accept a person’s refusal? What procedures should be followed first?
18. What types of objects/pictures are most effective in a memory box?

If you have a question that you would like addressed, please let us know.