Activity Programming with a Purpose

1. Activity Programming with a Purpose Sarah Kneisler skneisler@new.rr.com 920-655-7162

2. The Importance of Quality Activity Programming “Doing for most people is synonymous with being alive!”*

3. The Importance of Quality Activity Programming Everything from the time we get up to the time we go to bed is an activity

4. Determining Meaningful • Dr. Christine Kovach, UW-Milwaukee • 10 minutes/day meaningful human interaction • Do each of your residents/clients receive this amount daily?

5. Anne Basting “Sprinkler Activities”

6. Quality Activity Programming • Happier/less agitated residents/clients=more activities offered • Would you enjoy the programs that you are currently offering?

7. Meaningful Activity “Activity is not passing time, but making time meaningful.* Author unknown What do you “love” to do when you are not working?* “Our activities are not available to pass time, but to make time meaningful.”

8. Importance of Quality Programming Do we do activities “with” our residents/clients or “for” our residents/clients? Bingo? Word Bingo?

9. Quality Assurance • Ask each* resident/client following an activity (group or 1:1): • Was this activity meaningful to you? • What might you do differently? • What did you like? • What didn’t you like? • Would you come again?

10. Quality Activities • Amount to something • Produce something • Teach something • Use past skills* • Relate to past work* • Go out of the facility • Include active programs • Consider spiritual background • Make a contribution* • “Not childish” • Challenge their minds • Are appropriate for men* • Allow for socialization outside of the facility Activities that: Activities that:

11. Non-Structured Activities • Residents/clients set tables, clean up, sweep, dust, iron, type*, etc. • Resident/clients peel potatoes - can a resident/client be in the kitchen? • Infection control – what is infection control?

12. Individual Activities Within Your Environment • Tables or work area with familiar and interesting materials • Place large sign near materials with instructions: “Please fold these towels” • Or give simple directions (2-3 steps) • Socks, towels, envelopes, pictures, etc.

13. Encourage Communication “While traditional conversation encounters the same blocked passages on the left side of the brain, alternative paths likely find their way through connections on the right side of the brain*—those that deal with music, art, emotion, or sensory stimulation” “Memories in the Making”

14. Physical Stimulation/Fall Reduction • Pain Reduction • Less stress on joints • Muscle Strengthening • Increased Flexibility • Improved Balance and Reduction in Fall Risk • Increased Strength • “Medication in Motion” • Meditation in Motion” • Reduction in Blood Pressure • Improved Aerobic Capacity • Improved Quality of Life • Improved Sleep From: “Therapeutic Benefits of Tai Chi Exercise: Research Review” by Alice M. Kuramoto, PhD., RN, BC, Wisconsin Medical Journal

15. Reminiscence/Mood ConcernsBibliotherapy • Selection of reading material that has relevance to a person’s life situation/concerns/behaviors • Identifying with character’s situations in literature • Reading alone/combined with discussion • Romeo and Juliet—middle school students • Possible resources

16. Mental Stimulation/Mental Fitness: Name that Tune • My Blue Heaven • When the Red, Red Robin • Tie a Yellow Ribbon • Silver Threads Among the Gold • Bye, Bye Blackbird • Bluebird of Happiness • Little Brown Jug • Sweet Adeline • My Wild Irish Rose • My Darling Clementine • O Susanna • My Bonnie • Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider • I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair Colors Women’s Names

17. Name That Tune Favorite Television Show Themes Sing or Play Theme Song Give Clues from the Show www.classic-tv.com

18. Non-Pharmacological Pain Relief Strategies Research indicates that: Medication + Non Medicinal Approaches= Increased Pain Relief Melzakand Wall- “Gate Control Theory of Pain Perception

19. Effective Non-Pharmacological Pain Alternatives • Bibliotherapy • Exercise/Movement Activities(Aquatic therapy/water exercise), Tai Chi, Yoga, Glider Rockers) • Massage and Therapeutic Touch • Creative Arts (clay/dough crafts, music, poetry, dance, photography) • Spiritual activities/interventions • Storytelling/Reminiscence • Talking/listening/Support Groups • Montessori Based Activities in Long Term Care (Orsulic, Jeras et al. (2000) • Pet Therapy/Animal Assisted Therapy • Relaxation Activities/Exercises (breathing, humor, visual imagery) • Simple Pleasures (comforting items) • Somatron (treatment including vibroacousticand music vibration) • Therapy Dolls • Sootheze (warm and cool items) • Continuous Activity Programming (Volicer 2006)

20. Non-Pharmacological Pain Alternatives: Humor • Physiological evidence shows that laughter • Relaxes muscles • For up to 45 minutes following laughter-producing activity • Is an aerobic exercise • Lowers blood pressure and heart rate • Improves circulation

21. Non-Pharmacological Pain Alternatives: Humor • Old Movies/Radio Shows • Television Shows • Comedians • Laughter Board • Joke of the Day • “Match a Joke” • Cartoons • Humorous Songs • Clowns, magicians • Games • Laughter Clubs • Classic Laughs Night • Use the web to find the top 100 comedies of all time

22. Mood /Behavior Concerns: The Benefit of Music “People in my classes who are virtually speechless and confused begin to sing, hum, and sometimes dance, once they are stimulated by music. The benefits of music and singing, such as mood improvement and calmer behavior, often persist for hours after the music has stopped.” David Levitin

23. Music on iPods • Cobble Hill Health Center of NYC • Music personalized to each resident* • Began on dementia unit* • $40/resident • 100 iPods* • Outcomes*

24. Music and the DecadesAges 15-30: Appropriate Period • 100-1929-1944 • 95- 1934-1949 • 90- 1939-1954 • 85- 1944-1959 • 80- 1949-1964 • 75- 1954-1969 • 70- 1959-1974 • Then make it resident /client specific

25. Physically Diverting Activities • Rummaging areas/dressers • Stacking, sorting, stringing, stuffing • Curiosity • Drumming (including Boomwhackers)

26. Restructuring a Current Activity

27. Restructuring a Current Activity • Staff hands several bean bags to each resident/client • The resident/client throws each bag at the target • The objective is to score as many points as possible • Each resident/client takes a turn throwing the bags at the target • The activity is designed to provide ROM/exercise

28. Restructuring a Current Activity • Print a different direction on each portion of the mat • Print directions outside of the mat • Print directions on some of the bean bags • Residents/clients decide what directions to put on the objects • Have each resident/client hold a bean bag • Inject randomness-who will throw the bean bag next?

29. Restructuring a Current Activity

30. Activity Job Description By Marge Schweinsberg in for Activities, Adaptations and Aging, Published by Haworth Press (Phyllis Foster, Editor) Up-dated by Sarah Kneisler