Stimulating Activities, Environments & a PDF Bookclub!
At the de Fiddes office there is constantly something happening. Kat always has a story to tell, Deb joins in and between them things get loud! Christine and Mollie share snacks and more than a few giggles with Sam and Vanessa, especially after the elusive Postie who looks like Valentino Rossi was finally spotted! Beau adds a few barks and the work day begins. The office environment is exciting and vibrant, this keeps our mood high and us enjoying what we do.
Something for everyone!
This month we have been looking at stimulating activities and the spaces which facilitate them and with a view to relieving boredom. We found this great digital book club for residents and those with Dementia.
Hearthside Book Club - who email out evidence-based educational PDF books, audiobooks and videobooks to inboxes every week. The purpose is to provide a wide variety of reading materials so that everyone’s interests are covered and everyone can participate. The ideas sheet that comes with it provides further opportunities for engagement. For example, one week you read about Italy, you can then cook Italian food with residents and Carnival masks could be crafted. The sheet provides ideas for music to play and props to bring in, such as a beret for the French week.
We were very excited to read how the company started, “Years ago, I was working at a nursing home where many residents had dementia. One winter day, I saw something that made my heart sink. A staff member sat down next to a resident and proceeded to hand her a children's picture book… I knew the resident—she was a retired accountant. And now she was reading a book that said, “See spot run.” It didn’t seem right. How would I have felt if that was my mother reading a children’s book? Was that any way to treat an adult? “ – Michael Skrajner Director of Research & Innovation, Hearthstone Alzheimer Care.
The books were a response to this event that covered the needs for someone with dementia, but still respected the person as a mature individual with a long history of life experiences.
At de Fiddes we have enjoyed these books so much! They combine adult appropriate topics with simple language and questions, so that residents can discuss and learn about one another. The font and text size are perfect for those with vision concerns. We especially enjoyed that the topics have been chosen from a focus group of residents with dementia!
Large San Serif font gets a tick from us!
You’re never too old to learn. We have had fun at de Fiddes headquarters with our PDF book from this week about Famous Chefs and learning about Julia Child. We wholeheartedly agree with her ethos. “A party without a cake is just a meeting.” In this office, we love any excuse for cake!
Read more about Hearthside Book Club here.
All images curtsey of Hearthside Book Club.