Hi Memory Friends

Getting out of the house to enjoy art can be peaceful. Art galleries allow opportunities for conversation and opinions.

Engage your person living with dementia (PLWD) as much as possible. Whether they can help prepare, cook or eat, there is always something that they can help with.

If your PLWD always enjoyed cooking but isn't able to help now they could watch and give verbal input. There's always something they can do to be involved.

Paint by number pages are also available on google! Modify the activity as needed. For example you may want to use colored pencils or crayons rather than paint.

Bingo is a great group game! Fun for the family or for a group of residents at a care facility. Just be sure to have prizes for the 1st place winner!

This simple game allows for competition and mental stimulation.

Although bingo should be simple to play you may need to alter the game based on their current state of dementia. Consider using paper and pencil for those who aren't able to use plastic bingo markers.

History has been captured and stored in local museums. Go on a tour at a local museum!

Depending on your person living with dementia's current condition you may want to use a wheelchair to get around. Even though they're able to walk using a wheelchair will allow them to preserve their energy and last longer.

Artwork is a great way to bond with grandchildren. If appropriate, you may also print coloring pages to be colored.

Depending on your person living with dementia's current state of dementia you'll have to modify this activity.

People living with dementia (PLWD) are often isolated, lonely or just plain bored. That's typically the reason for their repetitive and annoying behaviors.

By engaging our PLWD in meaningful activities we can refocus their attention on something that will empower them to feel independent.

Just don't expect the PLWD to do a quality job each time. It's about enjoying the activity rather than being perfect with the end product.

It's time for your close up!

Some people thrive when the spot light is shining on them. Take your person to a beach park, museum or other local attraction for a photo shoot.

Of course some people don't enjoy being in front of the camera. Use this opportunity to have your person living with dementia take pictures of wildlife, plants, sceneries, etc.

Print the photos and use 'em for a future collage or photo album activity.

Geometric patterns are simple and easy to create.

On a canvas, use painters tape to create various shapes. Then use paint to color in the blank spaces. Let the paint dry. Then remove the painters tape to reveal an awesome work of art!

Games have rules but new rules can always be created! Checkers, chess, UNO, bingo, Poker, etc.

Including your person living with dementia in family games that they've always enjoyed will bring moments of joy.

Maybe the PLWD isn't able to hold the cards in their hand --> NEW RULE: everyone places their cards face up on the table.

Maybe the PLWD isn't able to perform tasks during their turn --> NEW RULE: person to your left helps you make decisions.

Be creative! But most importantly, have fun!

Window boxes are easily accessible and lovely to look at. Care partners could plant the flowers or have the person living with dementia do it.

A person living with dementia (PLWD) is still a person!

What are they already good at? What are their strengths? What are their interests? How can we use this information to provide our PLWD with purpose?

Depending on the time of year... you'll have different flowers blooming.

Having small plants in pots are great for bringing indoors. People living with dementia (PLWD) can greatly benefit from taking care of or simply looking at flowers.

Men and women differ in interests, preferences, needs, etc.

Find out what your person living with dementia (PLWD) enjoys. What are they good at? What have they done for work? Are they hands-on or more of a supervisor? Do they like word puzzles or rather work in the garden?

When we think about activities, t's not about the quality of the end product. The goal is to find the PLWD meaningful work that brings them joy and a sense of purpose!

Amazon, Target, Walmart... All of these places sell Do It Yourself kits that you could do with people living with dementia (PLWD).

Stepping stones could make great presents for people or additions to your garden!

People living with dementia (PLWD) are remarkable when it comes to recalling details from long ago!

As short-term memory fades we are still able to connect with a PLWD by reminiscing. What a great way to help them remember with photo albums!

Purchase new plants and replant them with your person living with dementia (PLWD).

Daily routine of watering plants provides PLWD with a sense of purpose. The growth of their plants depends on them!

Self care for the is SUPER important!

Often times caregivers pass away before the loved ones that they're caring for...

Caregiver is a real thing! Please please please take care of yourself before you carry on taking care of everyone else.

Art = self expression

As a care partner we must remember that the goal of any activity is to provide purpose and bring joy!

Accept the fact that a PLWD may not create the end product that you expect. Meaningful engagement is what we're looking for.

versus

Two very similar diagnoses with two very different treatments!

Distinguishing between the two can be difficult but the good news is that if it is delirium, we can treat it!

Unfortunately if it is dementia, we cannot treat it.
Dementia is a chronic brain disease and currently has no cure. The 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the best tools we have for treatment are our caregivers.

Until there's a cure, there's care! And with the right setting and the right care our can shine.

For people living with dementia (PLWD) who've always had a green thumb it may be essential to provide gardening activities for them.

As dementia progresses the PLWD will need more hands-on help and reminders to maintain their garden.

Please join us as we delve deeper into the minds of people living with dementia! Caregiver workshop at Pohai Nani on Sunday, March 22 from 12pm - 2pm.

Learning Objectives:
- Examine the current systems of staging dementia
- Identify six GEMS™, highlighting their characteristics
- Discuss the importance of seeing people with dementia as having retained abilities.

The GEMS™ system improves on existing models and allows care partners to see the beauty and uniqueness whilst in each GEMS™ state. There are 6 GEMS™ states: Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby and Pearl. GEM™ characteristics focus on ability instead of loss and are a valuable tool to assist throughout the disease progression. Come learn with our trainers about the abilities that are retained each of the 6 GEMS™ states!

Register on Eventbrite: http://ow.ly/iwUk50ymgnR

Being a can be isolating. If you know a caregiver please reach out and see how you can help. It's as simple as helping with dishes, bringing groceries or simply sitting and being present.

My husband is in the EARLY stages of dementia.
My mother's dementia is MODERATELY SEVERE.
My patient is a 3 out of 7 on the Global Deterioration Scale.

What's wrong with all of these "terms"?
Please join me and the PAC Hui to learn more about why these terms are outdated and what we can use instead!

Learning Objectives:
- What dementia staging models currently exist
- How to focus on retained abilities
- Why the GEMS model works for every care partner
- Q & A from the audience

Call or text me for more information at 808-469-5330.
Hope to see you there!

Taking the dog for a walk may be overwhelming for a person living with dementia (PLWD).
There are simpler methods to this activity.

Care partners could drive the PLWD and dog to a gated dog park or simply keep the dog on a leash and walk around your back yard. Either way you're accomplishing the bigger goal of providing your PLWD with purpose!

As with any other job we need fuel to perform tasks!

What a great modification to gardening! Visiting a local botanical garden can bring joy to those who like plants and flowers.

Please join certified Positive Approach to Care Trainers Pat Bemis and Mapuana Taamu for a 2-hour workshop on enhancing your approach to make a positive connection with your person living with dementia.

Learning Objectives:
- Compare and contrast “supportive” stance versus “confrontational” stance.
- Experience visual changes that occur with dementia.
- Demonstrate the Positive Physical Approach emphasizing the important role of the 3 senses.
- Demonstrate the Hand-under-Hand technique and applied it to an everyday situation.

Register on Eventbrite: http://ow.ly/ZOK650ymfZ4

What are your 3 basic rules of caregiving?

Are you a for someone living with ?
Does your loved one exhibit combative ?

Please join me and the PAC Hui to learn more about how to minimize combative behaviors with the Positive Approach to Care!

Learning Objectives:
- Why challenging behaviors occur
- How to perform the positive physical approach
- The difference between confrontation and support
- How to use Hand-under-Hand technique to do WITH your person
- Q & A from the audience

Call or text us for more information at 808-469-5330.
Hope to see you there!