The responsibilities and requirements of an Activity or Programming Professional go far beyond planning monthly calendars, setting up party decorations, and calling Bingo. It also requires engaging all residents and encouraging them in building positive surroundings. This can be difficult for some segments of a population. Here are 5 frequently observed types of challenging residents […]

Residents in retirement communities who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia are at higher risk for being under stimulated due to their inability to initiate leisure activities or to sustain them once they are started. This is why it is so important for the programming staff to offer opportunities to keep their residents engaged. Often the […]

It’s important to offer a wide variety of activities for individuals with Alzheimer’s, and/or dementia and finding ways to incorporate them into activity programs can be difficult. Check out these suggestions and program ideas to make sure you are creating beneficial programs for the Alzheimer and dementia residents in your community. 1.     Arts & Crafts Donatella Versace couldn’t have said […]

Current research suggests that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee a day can slow down the effects of Alzheimer’s in older adults. Based on studies conducted by Gary Arendash, a researcher at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, 500 grams of caffeine a day appears to have more effect on preventing Alzheimer’s than current pharmaceuticals that are being […]

“We’re excited about this positive trend, and will continue to work with CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) to do more in these critical areas.” Was the statement made by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) President and CEO Mark Parkinson in a recent release in regards to the government announcing that more skilled […]

Structured group activities designed to stimulate cognition has shown to be effective in improving the mental functions of people with mild to moderate dementia, according to a new study was published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (Click here to read the full study).  Cognitive Stimulation provides activities for people with dementia to stimulate thinking, memory and […]