Blog – Page 3 – Hummingbird Therapeutic Activity Program

Berry Picking Season

July 16, 2019/in News /by tiffany

It’s berry picking season time! Grab your activity partner and guide them through a virtual berry picking and sensory experience. You will need a bowl of your favorite berries and a good imagination. Have your partner close their eyes and envision they are on a berry farm picking their favorite berries. Once they have imagined picking a berry, put one in their hands. What’s the berry’s texture? What kind of berry do they think this is? Have your partner taste the berry. Is it sweet or sour? Does the taste remind them of anything? Have they ever been berry picking? What’s their favorite berry? After the discussion, pick a berry recipe and make it together. Here is a link for a delicious and easy Grain Free Berry Cobbler:

https://therealfoodrds.com/grain-free-berry-crisp

Trip Down Memory Lane Travelogue

July 9, 2019/in News /by tiffany

Europe, anyone? Grab your activity partner and take a trip down memory lane through their travels in Europe. What did they see? What did they hear? What type of food do they remember eating? Have them close their eyes and reflect back on the memory of walking the streets of London, France, Italy, and have them guide you in the travel experience. To complement the armchair travel, pick up some food that reminds them of their travels or better yet, join them in making an authentic meal! This reminiscing experience may awaken lots of wonderful memories. Guide them on this journey back in time!

The Delights of a Mobile Farmer’s Market

July 2, 2019/in News /by tiffany

A “mobile” farmer’s market offers opportunities for socialization, sensory stimulation and reminiscing.

To celebrate the warmer season and embrace Earth’s beautiful bounty, explore the colors, fragrances and tactile experiences of various fruits and veggies. Gather a variety, like artichokes, spring onions, mint, rosemary, lemon thyme, purple carrots and pink lady apples. A sampling of fresh strawberries and strawberry and mint infused water offers a refreshing treat and opens time to reminisce about favorite foods and recipes.

We hope you and your activity partner will enjoy the many scents, textures and colors that the mobile farmer’s market brings. Try offering suggestions about how to use the items in special dishes and reminisce about preparing food for favorite gatherings of family and friends.

“America’s Best Rose Garden”

June 25, 2019/in News /by tiffany

“The AARS named the SJ Municipal Rose Garden as “America’s Best Rose Garden”, making it the winner in the first nationwide competition ever.”

And also making it a perfect therapeutic activity outing! Below is our Hummingbird example of a wonderful excursion which offered sensory stimulation, reminiscence and physical quality of life experiences.

“Once there, Jane and I were surprised at the beauty of this park. Jane remarked, ‘This makes me so happy. It reminds me of my days putting flower arrangements together.’ We walked to the fountain that laid in the middle of this great rose garden. There, we were fortunate to view a bride getting her wedding photographs taken. Jane rested on the benches as she reminisced about her father and his love of roses. Jane taught me a great deal about the different rose bushes, and asked if we could come back again sometime.

For more garden details, please visit:

http://www.sanjoseca.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/74

Therapeutic Shelf Building

June 18, 2019/in News /by tiffany

Client Donna has very busy hands and a mechanical mind, and a history of crafting. Although she doesn’t remember that she used to do these things, putting a shelf together quickly became a therapeutic activity.

The Activity Specialist worked closely with Donna as they started assembling the shelf. Donna held the pieces while they were screwed into place. When it made sense, Donna screwed in pieces, and enjoyed hearing and using the maxim, “Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty.” As they worked, they reminisced about working on projects with their fathers. When finished, Donna admired the completed shelf, commented on the pretty color as she placed a puzzle box under it. In agreement, Donna and the Activity Specialist acknowledged their great teamwork and celebrated with a “high-five.”

Meaningful and purposeful engagement enriches lives!

Happy Father’s Day!

June 15, 2019/in News /by tiffany

Father’s Day is a special day to honor our dads and recognize all that they have done for us. Make the goal to be about showing your father love and admiration in a way that is personal and meaningful to him. If your dad is aging and has dementia, honor his limitations as well as his abilities and interests.

Does your dad love sports? Take him to a ball game! Be sure to think about parking and how to navigate the crowds in a way that will be most comfortable for him.

What kind of music does your dad like? Create a playlist with his favorites and watch him come to life! Music is such a powerful tool for everyone and can connect people as they listen, hum along, dance or reminisce together.

Bring family to him! Gathering with grandchildren and enjoying a backyard or park- with a cool shady tree and barbecue can be a priceless way to celebrate!

The most valuable thing you can give is time and undivided attention. Turn your cell phone off and leave open-ended time so Dad doesn’t feel rushed.

We hope you have a wonderful time and if you are so inspired, let us know how you celebrated your Father’s Day!

Sunflowers!

June 11, 2019/in News /by tiffany

During our group art presentation, “Art Reflections”, images like Gustave Caillabotte’s “Sunflowers” touched many residents personally. Michael explained the technique used to help attract bees to cornfields by growing sunflowers around them. Michael and Jonnie carried on about this topic after the session was finished. She told him about how “hundreds” of sunflowers would “invade” her yard every year. “I got so tired of them!”

The connection carried on after the paintings were no longer in front of them, strengthening their sense of community and belonging.

Nature and Art Combined

June 4, 2019/in News /by tiffany

Nature and art combine to touch people emotionally and creatively. After seeing the photographs taken of the land art piece “Lightning Field”, by Walter de Maria, Nabel expressed that the many images she viewed reminded her of “the road”. She shared that she had been a truck driver and missed the “freedom” and “life” the changing landscapes brought.

While Nabel had been moved by natural landscapes, Bill was moved by architecture, as seen in a photograph of Frank Lloyd Wright’s creation, “Falling Water”. When asked what about the home was appealing, Bill loudly stated, “Everything.” Though he had been largely silent, Bill was touched emotionally by the striking architecture and “the water coming down like that”.

Be willing to explore a variety of subject matter while using images to connect with loved ones. The one that actually touches them may surprise you!

Painting from Inspiration

May 28, 2019/in News /by tiffany

Painting from Inspiration was the theme of the day for a Hummingbird creative painting group. The activity specialist leading the session brought many objects of interest to offer inspiration to the artists; birds, flowers, American flag, a map, fruit, a coffee percolator, and a taxi cab. The birds were the most popular. First, artists drew the objects and then painted them.

Betty liked the duck, but found it daunting to sketch. Her activity specialist suggested she lay it on the paper and trace it’s shape. This worked out well, and Betty continued from there. She requested different shades of black and brown, which the activity specialist helped her mix to her liking.

What to get creative with your activity partner? Grab your watercolors and favorite objects for inspiration, trace them for outlines if that helps you get started, and then let your imagination fly!

A Special and Inspiring Sage Caregiver

May 21, 2019/in News /by tiffany

The Sage Home Care Quality of Life Program is a unique training program where our caregivers/PCA’s strengths and talents are celebrated and built upon. PCAs and Activity Specialists, along with the entire Sage Team, work together to ensure that the clients holistic quality of life goals are being met and that life is as joy-filled as possible.

Sage PCA, Lolita Esplana, was recently named “Honorary Hummingbird”, as she consistently goes above and beyond in enhancing her clients’ quality of life. She continually inspires her fellow Sage PCAs and the entire team.

She supports her clients through the arts and creative expression, resulting in the creation of an art show honoring one client’s artistic talents. The artist has recently rediscovered his passion for art due to the encouragement and guidance Lolita provides. The experience has been transformative and inspiring for all. Thank you, Lolita, for your amazing talent!

Imagine a world where all caregivers (professional and family) work to inspire and support their clients in the way Lolita has? Magical, we think.

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