VARIETY CART – Choosing appropriate activities based on the needs of the residents, not the other way around.

In memory care, there is typically a monthly activity calendar that gets assembled and printed for the residents. This means that the recreation staff are planning some of the activities over a month in advance, even though the residents needs are changing daily. You may lose, or gain residents. There could be illness or injuries…

Offering A Service Instead Of An Activity -Returning the power, and building trust.

There are certainly members of the older population who find it challenging to make the transition into long term care, especially if they feel that they have been pressured into making the move before they were fully ready. This can make a person want to seclude themselves from the other residents, attempting to make it…

Sock Sorting Activity for Residents with Dementia

Sock sorting is a great ‘task’ style activity to use on memory care units, or with a loved one who has dementia. This style of activity is simple to put together, and can be an effective way to reduce behaviours such as rummaging, or wandering. Keeping busy by doing activities that feel like familiar tasks,…

DIY Personalized Sorting Pots!

*Please be very cautious when using small items such as marbles, as they can be a chocking hazard. When sorting tasks with small pieces are in use by a person with dementia, please be sure that a caregiver is close by to supervise the activity. I have seen these 3 piece flower pot sets for…

DIY Patterned Sorting Squares

Whether you use your patterned squares as a sorting task, or for visual stimulation for residents, they will certainly come in handy when working in memory care. The assorted patterns and vivid colours can be used to connect with residents, and start conversations about a range of topics. I have used the squares to spark…