I am always challenging you to think outside the box and using technology certainly is thinking outside the box.
I invested in two tablets to use with my groups and individuals I work with. My oldest private client is 101 year old lady, who once I showed her how to use touch screen was well away.
We use the tablet to play games, look at youtube, pictures and also use apps to make dream boards, scrap books etc.
Introduce your residents to the world of the internet, work with those who want to give it ago.
Here are some favourite apps for use with people with dementia
You can talk to Tom and he repeats what you say in his own hilarious voice. You can also stroke him, poke him, challenge him and earn gold coins in a mini-game. You can dress him in new outfits and play silly mini games. Great for a bit of fun, interaction and contact with a talking virtual pet. Talking Ginger is another similar alternative.
This app is great for residents who can interact with the fish, or just sit back and enjoy life on a beautiful reef. Featuring 14 types of vibrant tropical fish, MyReef 3D lite includes species-specific movement and interaction. You can individually select the inhabitants of your aquarium, and even annoy them by tapping on the “glass”. You can also knock on the front “glass” to annoy your fish
Care home residents have loved the realistic appearance of this app and because it’s very gentle and easy to use, it’s ideal for individuals with advanced dementia
With this app, you can touch the screen to make pottery but throwing clay on a virtual wheel. You can smooth the sides of the pots by dragging your finger across the screen and create a collection of pots of different shapes and sizes. This app creates a relaxing, therapeutic experience for individuals with dementia, particularly those who have creative interests
YouTube is an enormous collection of short videos which can be easily searched for and played. Everything from film clips to old news reels to pieces of music can be found on YouTube and this allows participants to request what they would like to see. In all of our sessions using YouTube in reminiscence sessions, only once have we not been able to fulfil a participant’s request. Because many people living in care homes have no concept of how easy it is to once again see their favourite films or hear their favourite music, every time we use this app in an activity session it yields great results
One of the best things about iPad apps is that they can play a part in bringing back activities which participants have missed from years gone by. FlowerGarden allows you to pick virtual seeds, plant them, water them and watch them grow. This is especially significant for participants who used to enjoy growing plants and are missing their former gardens. iPads are able to provide activities which replicate things which mean a great deal to older people.
Those of your residents who are able can access free internet classes for the elderly that are hosted by Age UK. In fact speak to them direct and see if they offer free training within the care home setting.
Also www.breezie.com offer bespoke tablet set up for use by elderly persons , personalied for them. A very simple touch screen programme.
Also using a projector and a laptop to show Youtube clips can be a really helpful tool to use in reminiscence sessions.
You can use video technology to make a short video with your residents for the homes website, facebook page and for sending to family .
The world of technology really is your oyster. Hope you found this useful and you will begin to implement some of these ideas.
By the way some of these apps can be downloaded onto mobile phones as well.
Until next time. Keep shining.
Love,
Ann Marie x
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