“TimeSlips Creative Storytelling” is one of our favorite ways to encourage and allow our clients to express themselves in words. This activity was developed by Prof. Anne Basting, a winner of the “MacArthur Genius Grant”.  It opens storytelling and creative writing to everyone by replacing the pressure to remember with the freedom to imagine. Here’s a recent example of a poem created by one of our clients, after enjoying the sensory stimulation of a magnificent rose, and talking with our activity specialist about a vintage photo of a girl holding a rose:

When asked what he would like to call the poem, he replied, “Happiness”.

What story or poem would YOU make up about this photo? There are no wrong answers!

The Hummingbird Project wishes you a safe and happy holiday!

 

Happy Fourth of July from The Hummingbird Project!

Create joyful moments with these fun, inter-generational activities designed to help you celebrate this special holiday.

Firework Drawings: Simple black paper and colored chalk pastels makes for a great way to create bursts of colors! Let your creativity come to life as you explore combining colors and various sizes and shapes of fireworks on the page. Use this example to go further and add reflections on the water.

American Flag Fruit Plate: For sensory stimulation and a taste of summer, arrange blueberries, sliced strawberries and bananas on a large plate, in the shape of a flag. Together, taste each fruit and compare flavors and textures. Then take time sharing what being an American means to each person.

We hope you enjoy your time together!

Sacramento has the privilege of hosting the Del Oro “Cruise Around the World” annual fundraiser, and this week was the 13th annual event!  The Hummingbird Project was a proud sponsor, and we were thrilled to spend an evening supporting this incredible organization that does so much for our regions caregivers. Connecting with colleagues dedicated to senior care and families of adults living with cognitive disabilities is a privilege and we thank everyone who made the evening such a wonderful success!

Hummingbird Sacramento’s Tiffany Paige and Alicia Hadley had “joyful moments” visiting with the incredible Michelle Nevins, Executive Director of Del Oro, and a number of amazing partners in our industry.

For more information about Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, please visit www.deloro.org.

 

For Father’s Day, create joyful moments with photos, films and laughter!

Laughter is one of the best emotional gifts we can give. Laughter boosts the immune system, decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.

Enjoy a few funny quotes and jokes to get warmed up, then share some of your favorite “Dad Stories” as a way to connect and celebrate!

• The worst thing that can happen to a man is his wife comes home and he has lost the child. “How did everything go?” “Great, we’re playing hide and seek and he’s winning.” ~ Sinbad          

• You can tell what was the best year of your father’s life, because he seems to freeze that clothing style and ride it out. ~ Jerry Seinfeld                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
• Dad taught me everything I know. Unfortunately, he didn’t teach me everything he knows.~ Al Unser

• “Dad, are bugs good to eat?” asked the boy. “Let’s not talk about such things at the dinner table, son,” his father replied. After dinner the father inquired, “Now, son, what did you want to ask me?” “Oh, nothing,” the boy said. “There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone.” Mark Y.

• While having their evening dinner together, a little girl looked up at her father and asked, “Daddy, you’re the boss in our family, right?” The father was very pleased to hear it and confidently replied, “Yes, my little princess.” The girl then continued, “That’s because mommy put you in charge, right?” ~ Author Unknown

A great movie and popcorn is a great way to celebrate with the whole family. These films have strong father/child themes:

Father of the Bride (1950 or 1991)

Field of Dreams (1989)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

And lastly, sharing old favorite photos of your dad is always a priceless way to create emotional connections.

Enjoy and Happy Father’s Day!