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Time Well Spent – 400 Ideas Young and Old Can Do Together $15 “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” Dalai Lama Looking for ideas of things to do when visiting an older adult? The purpose of this book is to provide ideas for meaningful activities to share with the older adult. When family, members, friends, caregivers, and professionals implement these activities, their time with the older adult will be well spent.
If you are a caregiver who is living with or taking care of an older adult who requires assistance with daily activities or if you frequently visit a parent or grandparent, this book will help you. You will share precious time together while doing enjoyable, simple activities that make use of a person’s strengths and interests.
All of the activities can be modified or simplified to meet each individual’s needs, interests and abilities. Some older adults will be able to complete activities independently, but others require assistance from the caregiver or family member. Spring Entertainment Food FALL puzzle CHRISTMAS puzzle CONTENTS: Tidbits Conversation Starters Activities More Ideas Ideas to Do with Children Puzzles and Word Games
TOPICS: SPRING SUMMER FALL WINTER ENTERTAINMENT FOOD HOBBY/LEISURE FRIENDS AND FAMILY
IDEAS for a Better Visit $3 We must be the change we wish to see in the world. Many people are reluctant to visit long term care facilities. In addition, it offers conversation starters, gift ideas, and information about visiting with children. It makes an excellent gift for someone who has a loved one being admitted to a long term care facility, for someone volunteers or is taking a job in a setting for older adults. SAMPLE PAGES 1 2 3 The IDEAS Institute, a non-profit research and education organization, has recently developed a booklet to provide visitors to long term care facilities with tips on visiting a friend or family member. The goal in this project is to support successful visiting experiences and to increase resident visitation. The booklet was developed through a grant from The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, which has also funded distribution of IDEAS for a Better Visit to Cleveland area nursing homes. IDEAS for a Better Visit makes an excellent gift for someone who has a loved one being admitted to a long term care facility, for someone who is taking a job in a setting where they are working with older adults, or a volunteer who spends time visiting older adults. HOW TO USE
Use the booklets as a marketing tool by purchasing them in bulk and/or have them personalized with your facility information included on the cover. Please mention Communication Connection
IDEAS FOR A BETTER VISIT Visiting a loved one in a nursing home can mean a lot. How often have you heard a friend or family member express concern about going alone? When older adults have problems with hearing, vision, speech or memory, there may even be more of a reluctance to visit. Ideas Institute created this booklet and here are a few practical tips.
• Do not make the first visit very long and take someone with you. • Plan a short visit for the first time, less than thirty minutes. • Call ahead to find out when it would be best to visit. • If the person has a hearing problem, turn off the TV or radio and close the door to the room. • When a person is weak and not speaking, show you care by a gentle touch. In some cases, it may be • Conversation starters might include sharing stories about children in the family or neighborhood. Try • For a quick visit, assist the person in phoning a friend or sending a card or note. Just stopping by to say • Sometimes a person is confused and has a memory loss. It is difficult when a loved one visits regularly. • Talk to children or teens about what to expect. • Watch young children and keep them out of others’ rooms. • If children are sick or irritable, keep them at home.
One daughter visited her mother almost daily and she decided that she wanted to create a meaningful activity that they could look forward to doing together. She bought a bright bag to carry in some things her mother enjoyed depending on her mood or interests on a particular day. Her mom used to play solitaire so there was the deck of cards. Someone usually had a birthday or needed a get well wish so the bag contained a variety of cards in the bag for any occasion. Her mom loved chocolates so her daughter had some of her favorites packed for both of them. She also had a disposable camera so she could take pictures in case they did something special. Her daughter made sure the best pictures ended up in the album in her mom’s room for others to enjoy when visiting. |
