A Guide to Excellence in Dementia Education, Dementia ...

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Alzheimer’s Lounge Overview Lounge Programs are often provided for residents with dementia or other cognitive impairments. It is known to reduce wandering & falls, agitation, combativeness, sun-downing behaviors, and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s-type dementia. In addition to serving residents who experience anxiety, restlessness, and combativeness – the Lounge Program may also serve those residents who aren’t prone to agitation – but rather those residents with dementia who seem to just sit and sit – those residents who experience boredom and disinterest – more than agitation. In the Lounge Program, “strength-based stations” are offered at small tables – allowing residents to participate individually or in very small groups – pursuing the activity that is most appropriate for their current functional level and most appropriate for their interests. These “strength-based stations” feature a large variety of authentic props and activity supplies known to be engaging for residents with dementia. Some residents may actively “work” on projects – while others enjoy more relaxing, less-taxing pursuits. Often, residents may be very social – chatting and laughing with other residents at their station. Some residents may quietly pursue solitary interests at their own station. Others may simply sit peacefully resting – a much-needed respite from their continual wandering. There is not a set “start & stop time” for each residents’ experience. Instead, residents will come and go at whatever time is comfortable for them. Some will move from station-to-station – finding new friendships at each stop. A key element of every lounge session is this: Providing opportunities for friendship and meaningful connections with others. The “stuff” on the tables is not the primary focus. The “stuff” is the ‘trick’ for bringing people together. Residents in the Lounge Program are never left unsupervised or unsupported. In the Lounge Program, residents with dementia are encouraged, cued, and assisted to the stations and friendship pairings that are most appropriate for them by an interdisciplinary staff facilitator. The staff facilitator does not “lead” the activities at each station. Rather, to facilitate the many stations effectively, the interdisciplinary staff facilitator continually relies on four basic steps. Known as a “butterfly,” the facilitator is often moving about the room – quietly & gently – staying with each resident just a few seconds – and speaking very little. The primary role of the Butterfly is to help maintain the friendship connections at each station. Mastering these special facilitation steps techniques typically takes several in-depth sessions with active, hands-on coaching from specially-trained peers. These coaches help staff facilitators master this largely non-verbal facilitation style. More than a “little program” to be fit into the existing schedule – the Lounge is most successful when organizations use it as a “launching point” or a “laboratory” – for a whole different way of providing care. For some organizations, it serves as a starting point for overall Culture Change. The Lounge requires extraordinary commitment and continued attention from Leadership and all layers of the organization – to truly be beneficial. “Life Enrichment Systems for Dementia” ,“The Alzheimer’s-Dementia Lounge Program” , and all related written materials and photos are copy-right protected. Please contact Gemini Consulting, Inc. for more information. © 2012. Gemini Consulting, Inc. • www.Gemini-Consulting.org • 612-749-1220 • Cold Spring, MN 56320 page 14
Severe Short Term Memory Impairment Difficulty Sequencing Connect the Dots for Dining Tremendous difficulty with communication Remembering what was ordered Remembering what meal this is Remembering why we are in this room Remembering when the meal will be coming Initiating eating Switching between eating & drinking Tasks: Cutting, spreading, spooning, pouring, stirring Adding Things: Sugar, Cream, Butter Making preferences known Understanding complex menu choices Understanding what is going to happen in this room Ability to socialize Other Changes Related to Alzheimer’s-Type Dementia • Fearfulness – Anxiety – Limbic System • Difficulty Focusing – Inability to Tolerate Distractions – Frontal Lobe • Restlessness – Inability to Sit Still for Long • Changes in Appetite – Hypothalamus • Difficulty Swallowing – Brain Stem © 2012. Gemini Consulting, Inc. • www.Gemini-Consulting.org • 612-749-1220 • Cold Spring, MN 56320 page 15
Page 1 and 2: I Already Told You. . . Don’t You
Page 3 and 4: What Happens in the Alzheimer’s B
Page 5 and 6: Communication Strategies for Dement
Page 7 and 8: More Communication Strategies for D
Page 9 and 10: Understanding Dementia Strengths Pr
Page 11 and 12: A Strength-Based World Key Concepts
Page 13: Alzheimer’s Lounge: An overview S
Page 17 and 18: Be sure to introduceyourself to the

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