Additional Information
Book Details
Abstract
The effects of social interaction and engagement with older people have been proven to considerably improve quality of life and emotional wellbeing. This book comes packed with ready-to-use activities for groups of older people, aimed at connecting individuals, developing their self-esteem, and encouraging personal expression and independence.
The activities are intended to be led by facilitators working with groups of older people in residential homes, drop-in or day centres, hospices, clubs for older people, hospitals, or support groups. The activities range from creative arts to storytelling to sports, and are all designed to keep both bodies and minds sharp, while encouraging positive relationships with others.
Robin Dynes is a counsellor and freelance writer who has worked as a Social Inclusion Officer for Skills and Learning. Robin developed an outreach curriculum to meet the needs of people with disabilities, older people and other vulnerable people.
Clear instructions and astute choice of activities will ensure that care workers have the means to make real positive enhancements to the lives of older people in their care.
Danny Walsh, Senior Lecturer, University of Lincoln, UK
As modern technology and medicine increases life span and the potential for social isolation, Dynes' Positive Communication, offers a timely, creative and motivational lifeline. Designed for group facilitators and older adults, it addresses important communication and well-being issues, in helpful and practical ways.
Marylyn Cropley, www.freeplay.1me.net
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive Communication: Activities to Reduce Isolation and Improve the Wellbeing of Older Adults | 7 | ||
| Thanks and Acknowledgements | 11 | ||
| Introduction | 13 | ||
| Identifying Strengths, Interests, Hopes and Dreams: Activities to Maintain a Positive Outlook | 19 | ||
| The Benefits of Staying Active | 20 | ||
| Making Changes to Stay Active | 23 | ||
| Handout: Making Changes to Stay Active | 24 | ||
| Creating a Bliss List | 27 | ||
| Having a Goal | 29 | ||
| Handout: Having a Goal | 30 | ||
| Roles and Skills | 31 | ||
| Handout: Roles and Skills | 33 | ||
| A Snapshot of Me | 34 | ||
| Where I Want to Be | 35 | ||
| Handout: Where I Want to Be | 36 | ||
| Living Your Imaginary Life | 37 | ||
| I Am the Person Who… | 38 | ||
| Difficult Topics: Activities to help discuss topics which can be difficult to talk about | 39 | ||
| Negative and Positive Thoughts and Feelings | 40 | ||
| Overcoming the Stigma of Daily Living Aids | 42 | ||
| Acknowledging Feelings | 44 | ||
| Handout: Acknowledging Feelings | 46 | ||
| Feeling Safe | 48 | ||
| Clarifying My End-of-Life Wishes | 49 | ||
| Handout: Clarifying My End-of-Life Wishes | 50 | ||
| Hidden Feelings | 52 | ||
| Throw Your Worries Away | 54 | ||
| Asking for Help | 55 | ||
| Handout: Asking for Help | 57 | ||
| Making Decisions | 58 | ||
| A Problem Shared | 59 | ||
| Creativity: Activities to maintain creative abilities | 61 | ||
| Story in a Bag | 62 | ||
| Fortunately/Unfortunately | 63 | ||
| Proverbs | 65 | ||
| True or False | 66 | ||
| Seeing the Funny Side of Life | 67 | ||
| Make Up a Story | 68 | ||
| Handout: Make Up a Story | 69 | ||
| Matching Interests and Skills | 70 | ||
| Solve That Problem | 71 | ||
| Story Endings | 72 | ||
| Scenes from Life | 73 | ||
| Our Magazine | 74 | ||
| Communication: Activities to support and improve communication skills | 75 | ||
| What Quality of Life Means for Me | 76 | ||
| Starting Conversations | 78 | ||
| Picture Charades | 80 | ||
| Talking Stick | 81 | ||
| Improving Listening Skills | 82 | ||
| Let’s Talk | 84 | ||
| Sketches | 85 | ||
| Showing Consideration and Respect | 86 | ||
| It’s the Way I Say It | 88 | ||
| Similes | 90 | ||
| Overcoming Communication Barriers | 91 | ||
| Handout: Overcoming Communication Barriers | 92 | ||
| Memory: Activities to help with memory | 95 | ||
| Current Affairs | 96 | ||
| This Is My Life | 97 | ||
| Getting Organised | 98 | ||
| Handout: Getting Organised | 99 | ||
| Using External Reminders | 101 | ||
| Remember This… | 103 | ||
| Memory Concerns | 105 | ||
| Handout: Memory Concerns | 106 | ||
| Name That Person | 108 | ||
| What Do You Remember? | 109 | ||
| Kim’s Game | 110 | ||
| Mental Walk | 111 | ||
| An Experience to Remember | 112 | ||
| Spirituality: Activities focusing on spiritual wellbeing | 113 | ||
| Feeling Productive | 114 | ||
| Handout: Feeling Productive | 116 | ||
| What Is Important in Life | 117 | ||
| My Values and Beliefs | 119 | ||
| Handout: My Values and Beliefs | 121 | ||
| Inside and Outside | 122 | ||
| Improving Mind and Spirit | 123 | ||
| Life Focus | 125 | ||
| Handout: Life Focus | 126 | ||
| Connecting with Nature | 128 | ||
| A Guide from the Past | 130 | ||
| Social Communication: Activities purely for fun, enjoyment and socialising | 131 | ||
| A Perfect Day | 132 | ||
| Pet Hates | 133 | ||
| Musical Games | 134 | ||
| Earth, Air, Fire and Water | 135 | ||
| Making Connections | 136 | ||
| Information Share | 137 | ||
| Handout: Information Share | 138 | ||
| Who Is It? | 139 | ||
| Secrets | 140 | ||
| Lists | 141 | ||
| Favourite Things | 143 | ||
| Writing: Activities using writing for health and wellbeing | 145 | ||
| Memory Stimulation | 146 | ||
| Unsent Letters | 147 | ||
| With These Hands | 149 | ||
| About Me | 150 | ||
| Dear Future Me | 151 | ||
| Writing Springboards | 153 | ||
| Clustering | 154 | ||
| Conflicts | 155 | ||
| Influences | 157 | ||
| Gratitude Letters | 158 | ||
| Remaining Active: Activities to encourage physical movement | 159 | ||
| Mime | 160 | ||
| Ball Game | 161 | ||
| Fun Exercise | 162 | ||
| Obstacle Course | 163 | ||
| Walk This Way | 164 | ||
| What’s This? | 165 | ||
| Moving to the Rhythm of the Music | 166 | ||
| Mirror on the Wall | 167 | ||
| Building Confidence: Activities to help retain confidence and \na positive self-image | 169 | ||
| Positive Notes | 170 | ||
| What Makes Me Feel Good? | 171 | ||
| Achievements | 173 | ||
| My Qualities | 175 | ||
| Being Positive | 176 | ||
| Gratitude | 178 | ||
| Positive Hands | 179 | ||
| Maintaining Self-Esteem | 180 | ||
| Confidence Messages | 181 | ||
| How Do You See Yourself? | 182 | ||
| Handout: How Do You See Yourself? | 183 | ||
| Responding to Situations | 184 | ||
| Handout: Responding to Situations | 185 | ||
| Reminiscence: Activities to aid reminiscence | 187 | ||
| Memories in a Bag | 188 | ||
| Musical Memories | 189 | ||
| Time of Life | 190 | ||
| Raising a Family | 191 | ||
| Notable Events | 192 | ||
| Powerful Places | 194 | ||
| Smells in My Life | 195 | ||
| Handout: Smells in My Life | 196 | ||
| My Life in a Bag | 197 | ||
| Voices | 199 | ||
| The Good Stuff | 200 | ||
| Memory Improvisations | 202 | ||
| Blank Page | 2 |