Using “Timeslips Creative Story Telling” a group discussion about a chosen photograph brings out sensory images, memories, and imagination. Here is a recently created story called “Our Favorite Tune” or “A Cat’s Song”.
A woman named Adeline is playing the piano using the notes. She’s singing. Her mouth is open and there’s singing signs coming out of her mouth. There’s a cat named Kitty who is singing, or pretending to sing, too. “Meow!!!”
Adeline is wearing a striped blouse with a blue sweater. The stripes are showing through. She and Kitty live in an apartment in Berkeley. Their neighbor hears them, and comes over, saying, “You’re too loud! You’re off tune!”
But Adeline and Kitty both think it’s fine. “We’ll be not so loud,” they say. And they sing “Sweet Adeline” and “Daisy, Daisy”.
Some participants brought their love of song into the session, closing the afternoon by singing “Daisy, Daisy”. Other called on their personal experience to give location for the story and add good visual details. Overall, this kind of community creative thinking gives participants opportunity to work together and support each other’s participation.
For more information about TimeSlips: www.timeslips.org
Painting Lines, Leaves and Lavender
/in News /by tiffanyCreative Story Telling Builds Community and Reasons to Sing
/in News /by tiffanyUsing “Timeslips Creative Story Telling” a group discussion about a chosen photograph brings out sensory images, memories, and imagination. Here is a recently created story called “Our Favorite Tune” or “A Cat’s Song”.
A woman named Adeline is playing the piano using the notes. She’s singing. Her mouth is open and there’s singing signs coming out of her mouth. There’s a cat named Kitty who is singing, or pretending to sing, too. “Meow!!!”
Adeline is wearing a striped blouse with a blue sweater. The stripes are showing through. She and Kitty live in an apartment in Berkeley. Their neighbor hears them, and comes over, saying, “You’re too loud! You’re off tune!”
But Adeline and Kitty both think it’s fine. “We’ll be not so loud,” they say. And they sing “Sweet Adeline” and “Daisy, Daisy”.
Some participants brought their love of song into the session, closing the afternoon by singing “Daisy, Daisy”. Other called on their personal experience to give location for the story and add good visual details. Overall, this kind of community creative thinking gives participants opportunity to work together and support each other’s participation.
For more information about TimeSlips: www.timeslips.org
Alzheimer’s Gardens Heal With Nature
/in News /by tiffanyElizabeth Brawley was set to pursue her fortune as an interior designer for the rich and famous.Then her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and confined to a nursing home. That was 20 years ago, and her life and work since then has taken a radically different course.
What Brawley saw, in a mid-80’s nursing home, were aging adults with little chance to get outside, often staring at the same painting on the wall, the same view through a window or the television. Since then, she has devoted her professional life to “designing for Alzheimer’s” — everything from handrails and chairs to lights and entire rooms that fit the needs of adults with dementia, a fatal condition most commonly caused by Alzheimer’s.
Her most recent project is the American Landscape Society of America Alzheimer’s Garden Project — a series of nine gardens designed to accommodate those with Alzheimer’s.
“We know that just getting outside is good for you. For Alzheimer’s patients it can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep patterns and give the caregiver a break,” says Jack Carman, a landscape architect who is Brawley’s partner in the garden project.
For the full article about Alzheimer’s Gardens that heal, please see:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96563&page=1
River Walks and Painted Rocks
/in News /by tiffanyHeartwarming Tales: Atria Storywise
/in News /by tiffanyAtria Storywise are inspiring conversation cards and reminiscence cues, created by Best Friends Approach.
Interactive features are also available on the app Atria Storywise.
Loving Lavender!
/in News /by tiffanyThe Toddlers who Took on Dementia!
/in News /by kariIt’s amazing how intergenerational connection can reach beyond cognition and help people connect emotionally, playfully, and through joy. Please take a moment to watch this incredible video, The Toddlers who took on Dementia, (on facebook) illustrating the power of play and connection between children and those living with dementia. It’s a delightful depiction of the power of creativity and emotional well-being. It will warm your heart and make you smile!
Flowers Poured From a Cup
/in News /by tiffanyHere’s a fun twist on regular flower arrangements!
One of our Sage care assistants gathered a cup, small artificial flowers and leaves, a few pink bears and a small dish of rocks. Using hot glue, she worked with her client to create a beautiful flower arrangement, being “poured from a cup”. Creativity, meaning and purpose combined with imagination and teamwork makes for many joyful moments!
(We recommend always being mindful and using caution with hot glue guns.)
Barber Shop Reminiscence
/in News /by tiffanyWhen Lenny, Ireland’s first dementia friendly barber shows up at assisted living communities with his jukebox of oldies, his customers get more than just a haircut or a shave. See more about this heart of service from BBC Three and Amazing Humans.
Airport Adventure
/in News /by tiffanyFind exercise and inspiration through exploring unusual destinations. On a rainy day, an airport can provide hours of walking, exploring and meeting people from all over the world!
On a particularly dreary day, one of our Activity Specialist’s invited a client to join her for a special day, “Mrs. Jones, let’s pretend we are going on a great get away as we explore the airport.” Mrs. Jones was “blown away” by how clean, large and the sleek design of the airport.
Together they walked the pre-boarding area and spoke to several TSA agents along the way. The environment brought up many new memories of past excursions. They even toured the exhibits sprinkled throughout the pre-boarding area, before arriving in the SFO museum and library.
The room was gorgeous and well worth the efforts to find. Mrs. Jones shared “I feel like we traveled back in time! This is luxury. I remember these ads…” as they explored the model aircrafts, paintings, books and poster Ad displays. It was a surprisingly smooth and relaxing experience, to which Mrs. Jones even stated “this could be our new rainy day walk! It’s so clean!”