Activity-Focused Care

1. Activity-Focused Care Melanie Chavin, MS Vice President, Program Services Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter

2. Objectives • Introduce the basic components of activity-focused care: • Focusing on strengths and abilities • Viewing every interaction as an opportunity for meaningful engagement • Utilizing a positive approach to care • Provide tips and information about how to promote this approach in long-term care settings

3. What do you think of when you hear the word “activity?”

4. Activity-Focused Care: • Is an approach, not a program • Is focused on individual interests – not “one size fits all” • Is flexible • Is concerned with quality interactions • Is not necessarily focused on traditional activities • Is not necessarily led by activity staff • Takes into account remaining abilities and strengths rather than losses • Views every interaction as an opportunity to connect

5. It’s an approach, not a program • It’s not as much about what you do, as how you do it • Think “interaction,” not “activity” • Takes naturally occurring events and turns them into opportunities for engagement • This approach doesn’t come naturally to everyone; not everyone has the “knack” (so choose staff wisely)

6. Focus on the individual • Avoid “one size fits all” thinking and planning • Focus on the person, not on the condition • Don’t make broad assumptions about the interests of older adults • Don’t make broad assumptions about what people with dementia can or cannot do – you may be surprised

7. Flexibility • Flexible structure / go with the flow • We need to look at the world through the eyes of the person with dementia rather than expect them to see things our way • Document the need for flexibility – plan for it, expect it BUT... • Don’t use flexibility as an excuse not to plan or anticipate needs

8. Quality interaction • This is the heart of activity-focused care • Staff, volunteers should interact frequently and meaningfully with residents • Pay attention to nonverbal communication • Create interaction centers – places where interactions may naturally occur (artwork, objects, animals, photos, etc.). • Don’t assume that all staff/volunteers know how to “do” small talk - some people need encouragement and practice

9. Non-traditional activities • How much of your life do you spend in large group activities? • Think about smaller groups, and 1:1 interactions • Contrived activities vs. naturally occurring interactions • Focus should not be on only pre-scheduled, contrived activities, but also on spontaneous opportunities for interaction • Look carefully at scheduled activities – do they reflect the interests, needs and strengths of the residents?

10. Activity-focused care is everyone’s responsibility • Administration should take the lead in communicating the importance of this approach, and should model it • All staff should be encouraged to interact positively with residents • All staff should be taught to understand dementia and how it affects the ability to communicate/reason • At its heart, this approach is about being kind to people with memory loss and taking the time to get to know them as individuals

11. Abilities and strengths • The key is to focus on what a person can do, not on what he can no longer do • Everyone has talents and strengths, even with a diagnosis of dementia – tap into them • Recognize that people with dementia can and do develop new interests “Life doesn’t stop when Alzheimer’s starts”

12. Every interaction is an opportunity to connect • Compliments • Looking at residents and smiling • Acknowledging people by name • Engaging people in small talk (and in full conversations) • Putting yourself in that person’s shoes • Treating the person as you would want to be treated

13. Resources • Pioneer Network: www.pioneernetwork.net; www.illinoispioneercoalition.org • Eden Alternative: www.edenalt.org • Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org • Books: • Alzheimer’s disease: Activity-Focused Care by Carly Hellen • Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer Care by David Troxel and Virginia Bell • Dementia Reconsidered by Tom Kitwood