Monday, December 17, 2018

South Africa Ambassador



Exciting news to share! I have arranged for a Puzzle Time Chapter in South Africa. Nina Phillips, my South African piano teacher, will be our South African Puzzle Time Ambassador! Springbok's PuzzlesToRemember puzzles will be brought to the Western Cape of South Africa (Pretoria) tomorrow. We are thrilled that our intergenerational program will be pairing South African middle school kids and seniors. Please stay tuned for exciting pictures!

Puzzle Time Ambassadors

Here is how our Puzzle Time Program works, in 3 easy steps: 
1) form a group of students, scouts, religious group members
2) place the group in an Alzheimer's community
3) We train volunteers to solve jigsaw puzzles with the Alzheimer's residents
We are a nonprofit organization:
- Community service credit is provided for civic engagement
- Opportunities to win Leadership and Service Awards
- Enriching and empowering the lives of Alzheimer's patients!
For more volunteering opportunities and to become an Ambassador please email us! kidcaregivers@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

Last week I read my mentor, Max Wallack's book: Why Did Grandma Leave Her Underwear In The Refrigerator? An Explanation About Alzheimer's Disease for Children It is based on my life with grandma, and Max's life with his great grams.The age group of my audience was 6-11 years of age.  They had many questions after I read the book.  One boy, who is quite smart, asked me the simple question: What causes Alzheimer's disease. Max's book gave a good example, but he wanted more information.  I searched the web, and found a great site: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/alzheimers.html The answer to the boy's question was found at this site. In addition there are other common questions that kids have about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. I will create a bibliography of helpful books for kids.  If you have a book or resource that you think is helpful please share it with me!

Monday, December 10, 2018

Alzheimer's Patients Can Help You Study For A Test!

I had a very difficult test to take on Friday.  I needed to learn all of the spanish speaking countries, their capitals, classification and location on a map.  I created flash cards to study.  Grandma came to visit me. She found my flash cards, and kept reading them to me over and over and over again. People with Alzheimer's disease repeat things a lot, because they do not remember that they already made their comment.  It can be sometimes be annoying, and it is hard to not lose your patience. In this case, grandma's repetitive behavior was so helpful for me. It was like listening to a recording with all of the facts, needed for my test. 

Tips

1. Put notes from school on index cards.
2. Keep it simple.
3. Give it to your loved one to read out loud 
4. Listen carefully, and learn the stuff you need for your exam!

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Puzzle Time chapters in the USA and International

I am very pleased to update everyone about our most recent locations for the Puzzle Time Program.

In the United States we have the Puzzle Time Chapters in: Massachusetts, New York, Florida and California. 

International Puzzle Time chapters: China, Russia, South Africa, Philippines, Greece, Spain, Columbia, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Israel and India.

Please contact me at: puzzletimeprogram@gmail.com if you would like to set up a Puzzle Time chapter in your city, state or country.



Friday, November 16, 2018

Puzzle Time Program Update


Here are pictures from the  Puzzle Time Program.   Kids and seniors make a great time!  The puzzles we used in these pictures are Springbok PuzzlesToRemember Puzzles; they are a perfect choice for people with moderate to severe dementia.  They have 36 pieces, and adult themes, which bring back memories. If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease they can solve up to 100 pieces, or more. Please enjoy these pictures from our latest session in NYC at the 80th Street Residence!
We are expanding the program to Oregon, Florida, Massachusetts, Brazil and South Africa!  If you would like to have a Puzzle Time Program chapter in your state, or country please contact me at Kidcaregivers@gmail.com. I will help you set it up!

Picking and Choosing Your Battles

My mom and dad told me that when I was little, they used to pick their battles with me.  It is not  smart to argue about small things.  I think the same advice could be used with an Alzheimer's patient.  The last time I visited grandma, she REFUSED to wear her winter coat. It was really chilly outside.(38 F)  I solved the problem by using Grandma's coat as a blanket. It still kept her warm, and we were still able to take her outside!

Tips

1. Think of a different way to solve the problem.

2. Try to find out WHY your family member does not want to do something.
In our case, Grandma was in pain. She had shingles a year and a half ago, and still has nerve pain, on and off. Wearing a coat on her back sometimes hurts her. She did not tell us about the pain, but we figured it out. Remember, your loved one, cannot always tell you what is wrong, you need to figure it out.

3. If your loved one is not in danger, give in. One time, grandma wanted to wear her nightgown outside in the summer. She thought it was a pretty dress. We let her do it. It was warm outside, her body was covered, and she was safe. Who cares if it looked SILLY, grandma was happy!



Friday, October 26, 2018

Alzheimer's Postal Stamp

Did you know that there is an Alzheimer's Postal Stamp? An easy way to make a huge difference is by purchasing and using the Alzheimer's Postal Stamp!  My friends and I are sending lots of handwritten letters and cards to people living in memory care facilities and we are using our Alzheimer's Postal Stamp on every letter that is mailed from our home (including the electric bill).  To date the Alzheimer's Postal Stamp has raised over $626,000 for Alzheimer's research!  Let's get the number to be over a million dollars! I am so proud to know the co-founders of the Alzheimer's Postal Stamp. Lynda Everman and Kathy Siggins who spent 20 years lobbying for the stamp.  I was able to interview Lynda Everman (my honorary grandmother) about the stamp, here is the interview.
2017 49c Alzheimer's Awareness Scott B6 Mint F/VF NH

 1- Why did you decide to lobby for an Alzheimer's Stamp?

I was a caregiver for my dad with vascular dementia and my late husband, first with mild cognitive impairment and later with Alzheimer’s, from 1994-2012.  I was sad to learn that, while Alzheimer’s had first been identified in 1906, that little progress had been made to find an effective treatment, means of prevention, or a cure and I felt, and still do, that research was key to unlocking the secrets of this very complicated and very cruel disease.

I was aware of and for years had purchased the Breast Cancer Research (BCR) Semipostal Stamp - the first semipostal in U.S. history - which was congressionally mandated and first issued in July 1998. The word “semipostal” refers to a stamp that not only raises awareness, but also raises funds for causes that have been determined to be in the national public interest. As of September 30, 2018 sales from the BCR stamp exceed $88.1 million with 70 percent of the net amount raised given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense.

I wanted a semipostal for Alzheimer’s for a number of reasons: to raise public awareness, to honor the memory of those we’ve lost to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, to show our solidarity and support of those still struggling, and to raise critically needed funds for research - one stamp at a time! With over 5 million people living with dementia in the United States and over 16 million unpaid caregivers, I felt it was something each of us could do and, together, it would have a cumulative, positive effect. One of the phases I am fond of saying is, “Individual efforts make a collective difference.”

2 - How did you get the stamp established?

This is a very long and complicated story going back to 1999 with many twists and turns.  I hardly know where to start and what to include so I will just say that the Alzheimer’s stamp is the result of almost 18 years of tireless effort on the part of fellow advocate, Kathy Siggins and about 9 years of effort on my part. What I thought would be easy was anything but.

I began my campaign in 2009 writing to the “Friends of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act” and was directed to the  Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. Each year, the Postal Service receives thousands of letters and petitions from the American public proposing stamp subjects. Established in 1957, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) reviews all of the proposals and selects stamp subjects that will be of enduring interest to large segments of the American population. The Postal Service relies on CSAC to produce a balanced stamp program of approximately 25 – 30 stamp subjects each year.  That was a starting point and basically got me nowhere. I didn’t know at that time, that to be successful, I would need to have legislation introduced in both the House and the Senate and broadly co-sponsored by members from both sides of the aisle. Nonetheless I began to write what became thousands of letters and emails to any and all I could think of who might help me advance this initiative.

In 2012 I was fortunate to find out about and connect with Kathy Siggins who had successfully led the national campaign for the now retired Alzheimer’s commemorative stamp. We joined forces and continued and are still continuing to pursue a congressionally mandated stamp. We currently have legislation pending in both the House (H.R. 2973 with 130 co-sponsors) and the Senate (S. 2208 with 17 co-sponsors) which, if passed, would allow for the semipostal to be extended for six years. This is the 7th time since 2005 that legislation has been introduced in the House and the 5th time in the Senate. If these bills are not passed and signed into law by the end of December, we will have to start this process over yet again the 116th session of Congress. This is most likely what will happen.

But in 2016 we saw an opening when the Postal Service called for public comments regarding the reinstatement of the Semipostal Authorization Act which, in essence, gives the Postmaster General the discretionary authority to issue semipostal stamps - under, I might add - very precise guidelines. We mounted a national campaign and engaged many, many fellow advocates and the major advocacy organizations - Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, American Academy of Neurology, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s - to join us in endorsing and advocating for this. We were successful and the first ever Alzheimer’s Disease Research Semipostal Stamp was unveiled, dedicated, and issued on November 30, 2017.

So the Alzheimer’s stamp is different from the Breast Cancer stamp in that it is not congressionally mandated but was issued under the U.S. Postal Service’s discretionary program. Under the provisions of this program, the Postal Service will issue five semipostal stamps over a 10-year period, with each stamp to be sold for no more than two years. The Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp is the first and will be sold through November 2019 followed by a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) semipostal stamp to be issued in 2019.

3 - How much money has it raised and how much money from the proceeds goes to AD research?

The price of a semipostal stamp pays for the First-Class single-piece postage rate in effect at the time of purchase (currently 50 cents) plus an amount to fund causes that have been determined to be in the national public interest. The Alzheimer’s stamp currently sales for 65 cents each. By law, revenue from sales (minus postage and the reasonable reimbursement of costs to the Postal Service) is to be transferred to a selected executive agency or agencies. The funds from the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Semipostal Stamp will go to the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal agency that funds Alzheimer’s research, and will be designated to NIH.

As of September 30, 2018, 4.5 million stamps have been sold to raise $626,000 for National Institutes of Health funded dementia research.

4. How can we KEEP the stamp going?  How can we extend its use in the postal service?

The first thing you can do is buy it, use it, promote it, and give it as gifts. With National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Caregivers’ Month (November) and the holidays quickly approaching, this is an excellent time to do all of the above. For it to have any chance of being reissued or extended, we must prove that it is something that the public values, wants and uses.

You can also write to your representatives (one congressperson and 2 senators) and tell them why it is important to you that the stamp be extended and ask them to co-sponsor existing legislation and to find a way to get that legislation out of committee, passed, and signed into law.

If possible, I also encourage visiting your representatives when they are at home - also called “in district.” They often have town halls or public meetings where the public is invited and encouraged to voice their concerns and issues. If we don’t speak up, they won’t know what’s important to us!

5. Please explain the design of the stamp?  What does it represent?

The artwork for the stamp shows an older woman, the artist’s aunt who had dementia, in profile with a caring hand (his wife’s) on her shoulder with the suggestion of sunlight behind her and clouds in front of and below her.

The artwork is both poignant and highly symbolic. The clouds symbolize the confusion of dementia and the sunlight signifies hope. The original commemorative stamp had similar artwork with the woman facing left. The semipostal has the woman facing right to signify our progress towards greater awareness, better treatments, more compassionate care, research for prevention and, hopefully, a cure. Those of us who have or had loved ones with dementia understand the juxtaposition of light and dark, despair and hope, helplessness and determination as we face or faced this journey together. I hope that this stamp will draw attention to the plight of the 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and their 16.1 million unpaid family members and encourage each of us to do our small part in the effort to END Alzheimer’s.

6. How can we help you?

I think it would be so cool if kids began a letter writing campaign - thank you letters, words of encouragement and support to others facing difficulties, notes and cards acknowledging special events and occasions. Stamp them with an Alzheimer’s stamp and tell the recipient why you are using the stamp. Include a couple for them to use in their correspondence so you “pay it forward.” Think how many hearts would be uplifted by this simple act. My late husband, in the throes of dementia, put cards and letters he received in his pockets and carried them with him. Each time he pulled one out to read it, I imagine that his day was brightened and he felt less alone.

7. What advice do you have for kids who want to become advocates?

You are never too young or too old to make a difference. Hailey is 11 and I just celebrated my 72nd birthday. It’s important for each of us to tell our personal stories, how our families are and have been impacted by dementia, and what our personal hopes are. I love the stamp as it fits so well with my belief that we must use EVERY means available to stop this disease and, just as, no act of love is ever wasted, no act of advocacy is every wasted. It is our job to bring Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders out of the shadows and into the public spotlight. This, like so many diseases is not a disease that only affects the individual; it affects the entire family and the family’s well being.  We can’t solve a problem until and unless we are willing to talk about it. And awareness is a good first step, but advocacy requires action - our action. 


Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts with you, Hailey, and for your help and that of your friends in advancing better care and cure. As a founding member of WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s, I must end with our hashtags and motto: #STOPAlz #WeWontWait and my personal manta: #StampOUTAlzheimers








Sunday, September 16, 2018

Activities for Advanced Dementia

I will spend some of the future posts discussing advanced dementia activities. For today I would like to share what happened recently at the nursing home.  Grandma's neighbor does not talk very much, he is not able to read, and is not able to solve puzzles, BUT he can still be involved in puzzle-solving! You will need to use puzzles that have 36 pieces (or less). There are puzzles that are available for dementia patients.  Springbok Puzzles is a wonderful puzzle company which makes puzzles for Alzheimer's patients.  They also donate money to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund.  If you want to check them out here is a link: https://www.springbok-puzzles.com


Tips:

1. Look at the cover of the box and talk to them about the picture.
2. Have the family member hold the cover of the box for you.
3. Solve the puzzle while the loved one watches you
4. Describe what you are doing, for example, "I am putting a corner piece in this side."
5. When you are finished, smile and give a "thumbs up".  

Your loved one will be happy to hear your voice, they will watch you solving the puzzle.
It gives you something to talk about, and there will be a little celebration at the end.


Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Short Video

A highly talented documentary filmmaker, Qinling Li, created a short video about my organizations.

Here is the link for it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBVn922H8Hg

It is also available on Zinc Media: https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsZinc/videos/910495245817809/UzpfSTE2NTM5NDEzNzc6MzA2MDYxMTI5NDk5NDE0OjEwOjA6MTUzNTc4NTE5OToyODA1NzQ3MDY1OTc0MTg3MDA3/


Puzzle Time Program

Hi All, I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!  I have been very busy traveling, and working on some projects.

I am very happy to share the launching of the PUZZLE TIME program with our partner organization PuzzlesToRemember !  We are currently working with 2 high schools in the NYC area. We are pairing up a high school student with a senior afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease for an hour of puzzle-solving.  The high school students will receive community service credits (often a requirement for graduation).  The benefits of puzzle-solving have been studied by many researchers.

This program will bring lots of stimulation and happiness for both of the parties. I am looking forward to training the high school students.

I am hoping this program will grow. My dream is for every state to have a PUZZLE TIME program.

Please reach out to me if you would like to have a PUZZLE TIME program in a specific facility or if you are aware of a high school that would be interested.

Our contact information: kidcaregivers@gmail.com

Hope to hear from you soon!

Friday, July 20, 2018

SMILING

Everyone loves a smiling face. I cannot think of anyone who does not enjoy seeing a happy smile.
People with Alzheimer's disease are especially in need of a smile.  There have been studies that show how much people with dementia like smiles. My mom found an article about a study. Here is a link to it. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3748937/  You can ask your parents to explain it to you. It basically shows how people with Alzheimer's disease were more able to remember pictures of people who were smiling!

The tip I have for this post is very simple: SMILE, and do it often around your loved one!  It is very easy to lose your patience, but having a SMILE will make YOU feel better and your loved one. 

1. Greet your loved one with a big SMILE
2. SMILE ☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️😃😃😃often
3. When it is time to say goodbye SMILE.
4. The more SMILES, the better!


Window Shopping

Window shopping is an activity that many people enjoy.  It is basically looking into storefront windows at the things for sale. People with Alzheimer's disease are able to look at items, and it does not require a good memory to do it.  Grandma used to wear gorgeous clothes, shoes and scarves. She loves fashion!  

I took my grandma to a neighborhood with stores. We looked at the dress shops. Grandma likes to share her opinion about dresses. She knows what she likes and shares her thoughts. Grandma also likes to share what she does not like, as well. 

If you have a grandpa (or male relative) who is not interested in fashion. Go to a store window that has items that they would find interesting, for example: sporting goods store, electronics store.

Tips


1. Bring your loved one to an area with lots of store windows.
2. Look through the windows and ask your loved one to point to what they like
3. Ask them why they like the outfit, shoes, scarves, computer, fishing rod,etc.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Two Minute Activities For Dementia Patients

I researched and found a website with an amazing article about activities for Dementia patients that are quick. Here is the link:






https://www.goldencarers.com/two-minutes-activities-for-dementia-care/4889/ 

I decided to change it a bit and create a list for kids and their family members with Alzheimer's disease.

1. Smile at your family member and look into their eyes
2. Bring a bunch of silly hats or caps and try them on in front of the mirror. (Take pictures)
3. Give your loved one a compliment. Compliments are SO important. I will write a whole entry about compliments on another day!)
4. Look at pictures in a magazine. Point to your favorite colors
5. Hold hands (Family members love to be held, hugged, and touched by their loved ones
6. Play catch
7. Give a quick back rub
8. Tell your family member that you love them!
9. Give a big hug
10. Put scented hand lotion on your family member
11. Dance
12. Listen to music on headphones
13. Look at pictures on an animal or nature calendar
14. Blow bubbles
15. Fold clothes
16. Water plants
17. Hold seashells to your ears to "listen for the ocean"
18. Make a potpourri sash by wrapping spices/herbs in fabric, and guessing the scent
19. Comb your loved one's hair, and let them comb YOUR hair!
20. Read funny poems or limericks (I am thinking about Shel Silverstein!)
21. Sing a nursery rhyme
22. Share a snack
23. Look at pictures
24. Prep a puzzle for solving, by sorting the pieces (flat edges, corners, etc)

What activities can YOU add to the list?

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards 2018

Hi Everyone!
I have great news to share!  Along with 9 other kids, I received the Prudential Spirit of Community Award for National Honoree! (https://spirit.prudential.com/honoree/2018/ny/hailey-richman) It was such an amazing experience. I am truly grateful to Prudential. I won the award for Grandma, for the people who suffer from the Alzheimer's disease and the families who love them, especially the kids! I plan to donate some of the award funds to Alzheimer's Disease research. I have lots of big plans!
I am planning to put on puppet shows for kids, to teach them about the disease. I will create short videos which will teach kids.  I am working on a book, and would like to also form Kid Caregiver clubs at schools! I also have a second organization: PuzzlesToRemember, founded by Max Wallack. (www.puzzlestoremember.org). I am the Associate Director.  I have created a PUZZLE TIME program, which pairs up a Girl Scout or kid volunteer with an Alzheimer's patient for an hour of puzzle-solving.  My plan is to have PUZZLE TIME programs nationwide, and in a few countries!  Because of the generosity of Prudential, I will now have funds to help make these plans a reality!

 I won silver (State Honoree) and gold (National Honoree) Prudential Spirit of Community medals.  I put them on grandma's neck to wear.  She did not understand why I have medals but knew it was a good thing.  She saw how happy I was inside and it made her happy. I noticed that my mood, can effect Grandma's mood!  Sometimes, we are not even aware of our moods.  When you visit your family member with Alzheimer's disease, try your best to be in a happy mood, even if you do not feel so happy. It will make the time better. Also if you pretend to be happy, it can MAKE you happy!




Monday, April 23, 2018

COMFORTING QUILTS

Our dear friend, Lynda Everman, made a small "lap sized" quilt for grandma. She asked us to share some of grandma's favorite things.  Grandma's favorite color is green, she loves anything to do with Canada, since she was born there.  Her favorite flower is a bleeding heart.  Lynda made a "scrappy squares" quilt using many different fabrics. She took a green bandana to make some of the green parts.  She had already used some of the green to make a quilt for her late son's best friends.  Some of the heart patterns came from her husband's collection of things from his late wife. The hearts represented grandma's favorite flower, bleeding hearts and represents our love for each other. Lynda's friend Lena, also helped and used stitching that resembled maple leafs - a symbol of Canada! She put so much care and love into it.

Quilts are also called comforters, and for a good reason!  The provide lots of comfort, especially to someone with Alzheimer's disease.  Grandma LOVED the quilt. She thought I made it, and I went along with the idea.  She showed the staff at the nursing home and told them I made it!  She remembered that her favorite color is green and kept running her hands back and forth over the quilt.  I have to agree it is a beautiful quilt, and we really really love it! I spent the day with grandma, and we covered her wheelchair with the quilt and at night tucked her into bed and covered her with the quilt.

Tips


1) If you CAN make a quilt or knit a blanket.  Use colors that your family member loves. Think about their favorite tree, flower, a hobby, something they really like (maybe cats, dogs, etc).

2) If you cannot make a quilt yourself (and not too many of us can, lol) try to purchase a special quilt for your loved one. It is a good purchase and will provide your loved one with comfort!



Saturday, March 24, 2018

Tanya Towers and PUZZLE TIME

I took two Kid Caregiver members to Tanya Towers.  The facility has residents who have cerebral palsy and Alzheimer's disease. Because of modern medicine, people with cerebral palsy live longer, and that means they can develop dementia!  We bought several puzzles that were donated by the springbok Puzzles Company to the facility for PUZZLE TIME. It is an hour filled with puzzle-solving and companionship!  Next month, we will bring some Girl Scouts to the facility for PUZZLE TIME.  Everyone is looking forward to it!  We all know that puzzle-solving stimulates the brain, especially the visual cortex area. The research shows that it improves mood and gives the person a feeling of accomplishment when they complete it.  Don't we all feel good when we finish something!

Tips

1. If someone has trouble moving their hands, show the person the puzzle piece and ask them where to put it. (People living with cerebral palsy may have poor muscle coordination. BUT that doesn't mean they cannot solve a puzzle!)

2. Have the person point with their finger or a pencil where the puzzle piece should be placed.

3. Talk about the theme of the puzzle you are solving. REMEMBER TO ENJOY THE JOURNEY of PUZZLE-SOLVING.  There is NO RUSH to complete it!  Spending time together is the MOST important part of it!  (I enjoyed talking to "Jenna" about the different birds on the puzzle box.  We both agree that the red cardinals are lovely, followed by the blue jays.

4.  Celebrate when the puzzle is solved!  A big thumbs up, a hug, a high five or any other sign of joy is great after the puzzle is complete.





Thursday, March 22, 2018

Exercise And The Brain

There are a lot of scientific articles about how exercising helps the brain. The scientists say it is good for the brain, puts people into a good mood, and could even help a person with thinking skills.  I know grandma loved to do exercises.  Grandma used to do lots of exercise including jogging when she was younger!
When you are in a wheelchair it is hard to do a lot of exercise.  Here are some ideas! All of these activities have been done with grandma!

1) wheelchair basketball
In nice weather I take grandma to the park and we try and throw the basketball into the hoop. It is a lot of fun.  We make up our own rules!

2) Throwing a ball
I throw a beach ball back and forth with grandma. It exercises our our arms.

3) Kicking a ball
Grandma and I like to kick a beach ball back and forth.

4) Wheelchair yoga
I am excited about this activity. I have not tried it yet, but I will follow this youtube video with grandma when I see her again! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4go9rsnKNmA  I like this video because it is only 8 minutes!  (Grandma does not have good attention. People with dementia cannot concentrate, so it is best to not do something that will be too long!)

5) Wii SPORTS  https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/1OTtO06SP7M52gi5m8pD6CnahbW8Czx

Grandma LOVES bowling.  We use an old Wii station and it works out well. We can play "tennis" and "golf". Grandma used to play golf a lot when she was young.

HAVE FUN!


Wednesday, March 21, 2018

What To Do If Your Loved One Is In A Bad Mood

Even though grandma is usually happy to see me, sometimes she is in a bad mood.  When I visited her last Sunday, she was very grumpy.  I felt bad about it.  My mom and I researched the reason why people with dementia are sometimes in a bad mood.  It is because of physical and chemical changes in the brain.  A part of the brain that is damaged is called the temporal lobe.  The temporal lobe controls mood and judgement. It is shrinking.

Tips


1. Do not argue with the loved one!
2. Give them a compliment.
3. Distract them. (I told grandma that I won an award, she became happy).
4. Give them headphones with their favorite music.
5. Try not to let it hurt you, they still love you!

Friday, March 9, 2018

EggMazing Egg Decorator Kit

I watched an episode of Shark Tank and learned about the EggMazing Egg Decorator. It is an egg decoration kit. You put an egg (or any round object) in a spinner, hold a marker to it, to create a striped design.
(http://www.eggmazing.com/)  I decided to purchase it and try it out with grandma.
It was the best!  Firstly, it is impossible to make a mistake.  It does not require balancing skills, or even a good grip.

I think it is a great activity for people with dementia.  There are no rules, just hold the marker in your hand and let the egg spin, that's it.  I believe even patients with severe dementia would find joy using the decorator.

  Grandma LOVED designing the eggs.  I actually purchased wooden eggs, so they could be saved forever!  I then experimented with other objects like my EOS lip gloss container which is round.

It can be enjoyed by people who do not want to decorate eggs, since the  round EOS lip glass container worked beautifully. I gather that a ping pong ball or any other oval or round object that is the size of the spinner would work, just fine!

I am really looking forward to bringing Girl Scout Troops and kids from my "Kid Caregivers" group to senior facilities with the Egg Kit.  It will definitely work well with seniors who have Cerebral Palsy and have trouble moving their hands.  It is a fun and enjoyable way to spend time!


Tips for Using The Egg Decorator


1. Show the loved one a finished egg.
2. Demonstrate how to do it on your own egg.
3. Offer the loved one a marker.
4. Gently place the loved one's hand with the marker, over the egg.
5. Offer the loved one different colors
6. Have fun!



Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Wii and other video games


I taught grandma how to play with my Wii game. Wii is a game console created by Nintendo.  We  used the Wii Sports edition.  It allows you to play baseball, bowling , golf and tennis!  Before the game begins you create an Avatar.  An Avatar is a video player.  You can create an Avatar that looks like you.
Grandma and I created this Avatar to resemble her. Grandma was not always sure what we were doing, but she had fun choosing the hair color, eye color, glasses and clothing color.
I helped grandma use the gaming console. Sometimes I would move her arm with her to bowl.  Grandma was amazing and had so much fun with me.