This week we continue the series Plan Like a Pro. In this series I offer questions for you to ponder as well as some simple advice. Great plans lead to success! Last week’s article focused on Who are the participants…
I’m wearing my teacher’s hat today. And I’ll tell you up front - I have serious “hat hair.” I spent decades writing lesson plans as a teacher. Along the way I learned a thing or two.
I wish I could sit down with each of you individually and talk about the power of music in caregiving. I would make you a cup of tea and we could share experiences and learn from each other. Obviously that…
Being a new CNA is challenging. Yes, in training I learned how to make a hospital bed with a mannequin in it. To wash my hands according to procedure. To transfer fellow…
Caring for a loved one, no matter the reason – be it dementia or another health concern - can be all consuming and impact relationships deeply. Family dynamics often evolve. Sometimes people find…
Do you ever get a little bored singing the same old songs? Come on, you can admit it. But we do it anyway don’t we? We do it because we know that for people living with dementia, there is comfort…
Helen is intuitive, creative, caring, and smart. She’s the Life Enrichment Coordinator for a cluster of small memory care homes where she has just been given a beginning budget to implement a comprehensive music program. She and I begin talking…
Margie’s gruff and gravely voice called out from her favorite corner where she carefully perched on the seat of her walker. Stooped and bent over, her arthritic hands were no longer able to hold the songbook she knew so well…
When I was 12 years old my mother wouldn’t let me to go to the junior high dances. She insisted that I wait until I was 13. Trust me, the months dragged on that year in seventh grade until my…
Were you fortunate enough to have a wonderful mother? I was. My mom and I were best friends. We had voices that matched perfectly and she taught me to sing. She and my dad loved to dance. Sadly, she passed…
Back in 1953 Harold Mertz was trying to sell magazines.
He had salespeople going door to door. But it wasn’t very efficient. So Harold came up with the idea of mailing subscription offers to everyone. For the price of…
I recently heard from Kim in Nova Scotia, who wrote:
“I find with times changing and our residents coming to us from a different generation, the songs like “Working on the Railroad” and “Bicycle Built for Two” are not…
As I played the first song for the folks in the adult day program I noticed a man in the front row whose hands were moving in time to the music. He looked like he was strumming an air guitar.
The holiday season often finds us visiting loved ones and friends, young and old. Sometimes it can seem like an effort to fit those visits in. We may even wonder if they are worthwhile. I hope today's recollection from my…