Taking the Time

A poem

Taking the time, To notice Heidi’s dance, To do a jig with her, And offer a hug, Then off she goes… happy; And here I am… happy.

Taking the time, To walk with Mary, To hold her hand in mine, To shape and mold her nails, Then off we go together… smiling; And here I am … smiling.

Taking the time, To sing to Gerri as she’s resting, To hold her hand and be there; and when she rants and raves, Give her what she needs as best we can… And love her anyways… from the heart, Then off she goes… contented; And here I am… contented.

Taking the time, To make eye contact, To reach out a hand and connect, To reassure that “Ruthie” will be there for you. To know that you are seen, To know that you are heard, To know that you are loved; And here I am… open.

Taking the time, To acknowledge myself, To know what I do matters, To feel loved, To feel appreciated, To give and to receive; And here I am … appreciating.

When we take the time, We see… We hear… We feel… We love… We live… And here I am …living. Denise Sukkau - October 23, 2017

In the Basket…

Here are some ideas about how to interact with your loved one who may have Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Confusion or any other form of cognitive decline.

Word Search Book

  • Find words together

  • Talk and reminisce about the theme of the page

  • Use different coloured highlighters to mark the words

Colouring Pages & Pencil Crayons

  • Encourage creativity and expression with colour

  • Put on relaxing music and make the experience special

  • Remember there are no mistakes when it comes to art! It’s all good!

Clothespins and Clips

  • Unclip the (x-large) pins from the bin and encourage your loved one to replace them

  • Great exercise for the hands

  • Use right and left hands for mobility and dexterity of the hands

  • Encourages hand-eye coordination

Nail Files

  • Filing nails and nail care can be a nice emotional bond with your loved one

  • Holding hands connects us together

  • Men and women, both, enjoy the result of nice smooth nails

Sort the Jelly Beans

  • Sort and count the different colour of the jelly beans

  • Use small bowls or plates to sort

  • Count and compare each colour

  • Taste each colour… are they the same or different

  • Enjoy and share the sweetness and reminisce about Jelly Beans or your favourite candy

Flash Cards

  • Look at the picture and figure out what it is

  • What else is interesting about the photo – colours, size, associations

  • Do you have any personal memories attached to the items… reminisce and share

Dice Game

  • I call this game “Little Yahtzee”, though it has nothing to do with it’s namesake

  • 10 discs numbered 1-10; 2 dice; cup to hold the pieces and roll dice if desired

  • Object of the game is to score as small a number as possible

  • Numbers can be randomly set up or in a line (setting up the numbers is an activity in itself)

  • Roll the dice and take away the disc(s) that is the number or add up to the number from the number of discs available. The player continues to roll the dice until discs are not available to take away. Hint: take the highest numbers first so that your leftover score is lower. If you want, keep score and play until there has been enough play. (Suggestion to roll dice in a contained area like a shoe box lid)

In the Basket… page 2

There are many ways in which ‘normal’ activities can become cognitive stimulation and create conversation and inclusion for someone with cognitive decline or confusion…. Here are some suggestions in which your loved one can be included in helpful chores or familiar activities. With some direction and encouragement, your loved one may continue to contribute to daily tasks. Use YOUR imagination and see what you can do together!

  • Sort laundry (before and after it is washed) and fold clean laundry

  • Set the table

  • Talk and reminisce about meals, special occasions, family and friends - use photos and name the people in the photo vs asking who they are

  • Help with meal preparation: peel potatoes, tear up lettuce, discuss recipes and ‘the way’ we usually prepare things

  • Read to grandchildren… or have grandchildren read to you

  • Write a thank you letter to someone today… who or what are you grateful for today?

  • Sweep the floor

  • Clean/wipe off the counter or table after meals

  • Wash the dishes and help put dishes away

  • Put on favourite music and sing, sway or dance together

  • Allow choice is what clothes or accessories to wear each day

  • Simplify familiar card games by laying the cards on the table or talking about each move

Though confusion and cognitive decline is life altering for everyone involved, having a bit more understanding, compassion, love, patience and creativity are important to keep in mind. Try to keep an attitude that behaviours displayed are the result of disease process and not your loved one.

Denise is a Therapeutic Recreationist, registered with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO)