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Tips for Successful Travel
Familiar destinations
Consider visiting places the person with dementia is accustomed to visiting. The memories that will be triggered at a familiar place will give comfort and joy.
Realistic expectations and flexibility
Traveling with the person with dementia may not always go as planned. Be flexible and bring along activity items that can be used to re-direct energy when needed.
Avoid large crowds
Fairs and large family events may be too overwhelming. Visit places at off-times.
Keep it simple
One or two stops with the flexibility to end it when needed may work best.
Timing and routine
Consider traveling during the person's best time of day. Maintain routines as much as possible - meal times, sleep times, etc.
Ensure safety
Do not leave the person with dementia alone in unfamiliar areas. He/she should have an identification bracelet. Keep the car doors locked to keep the person inside when necessary, such as waiting in traffic.
With some planning, vacation time can provide enjoyable moments and fun for the person with dementia and care-partners.
Adapted from Vacationing: Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter |
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MindStart...Creating active and joyful days
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Greetings!
The heat of summer is here! Summer is a time of vacations and holiday celebrations. This newsletter covers tips on traveling with the person with memory loss and activity ideas based on honoring our country's red, white, and blue. Share this newsletter with others who might have interest, helping our mission to see active and joyful days for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
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Dementia Care Tips - Dementia Friendly Language
Communication becomes more difficult for the person with dementia, both talking and understanding what other people are saying. The person with dementia cannot change, so the people around them need to change to make the exchange go as well as possible. In this newsletter, we continue from last month with tips for effective dementia communication.
Be Clear and Specific
Avoid using vague phrases or sayings and abstract humor. Instead, use concrete, straightforward sentences.
Don't say, What's up?...Instead, say Are you enjoying the sunshine this afternoon?
Don't say, It is a scorcher out there,..Instead, say It is hot outside.
Focus on the Strengths and Positives
Give the person praise and encouragement. Also, overlook errors and avoid criticism. If the person always answers no to requests, try asking for their help instead.
Don't say, Can you set the table?,..Instead, say Let's set the the table. Here are the forks; set them here. Follow with You are a great help setting the table.
Try out these two concepts. This is learning a new language. It will take practice and patience. |
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Doing Things Together: Red, White, and Blue
Honoring our country is an activity that can be done anytime of year. Images of the US flag and patriotic songs are strong memories for many people with dementia.
Early Stage Dementia
-Pick a letter. Try to think of President's names that begin with that letter. Example, R for Reagan and Roosevelt.
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Photo by Catering Chronicles |
-Have the person decorate a flag cake, following the picture on right as a sample.
Middle Stage Dementia
-Sort red, white, and blue items by color. For example, colored M and M's, paper plates, buttons, or poker chips.
-Recite the pledge of allegiance
-Fill in the blank with Patriotic songs. Yankee Doodle went to _______.
-Decorate the cake above, step by step. Draw a 'line' with a colored tube of decorating gel to outline the blue section. Then have the person fill in with blueberries. Do the same for the lines of raspberries, one at a time.
Late Stage Dementia
-Move red, white, and blue pinwheels or wind socks for visual stimulation for the person.
-Play patriotic songs on a CD player. Sousa marches, such as Stars and Stripes Forever, are good for marching feet or tapping hands to.
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MindStart Moments: A recent customer told us, "I have tried many things to engage my husband in activity. I took a chance and sent for the puzzles. What a joy to see him working hard to put the puzzles together. Thank you." These are the moments we stri ve to help create; thanks for sharing them with us.
Until next month...
Monica Heltemes, OTR/L
MindStart  |
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