Making Sense of Dementia - Orchard Care Homes

MAKING SENSE

of dementia Activities to help children understand dementia

For ages

8+

Copyright Š 2019 Lorraine Lee, Mark Quarmby, Reconnect, Orchard Care Homes and WSA orchardcarehomes.com Book design and production by WSA, wsacommunications.co.uk Illustrations courtesy of Adrian Hedges

MAKING SENSE

of dementia Activities to help children understand dementia

Written by Lorraine Lee and Mark Quarmby from Orchard Care Homes 3

HELLO! Welcome to Making Sense of Dementia, an activity book that will help you to understand dementia and play some fun games at the same time.

Your brain is amazing. It has a favourite colour, it can remember people’s names and faces, it even controls walking and talking. Your brain is a huge part of who you are.

Learn how the brain can change over time and experience some of the feelings those with dementia may have by playing the games suggested by Nurse Lorraine and Nurse Mark.

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Meet Lorraine and Mark...

Hey, I’m Lorraine.

I’m a specialist nurse who cares for elderly people. I’m here to help you understand how people live with dementia.

Hi I’m Mark, a mental health nurse. My job is to help and support people with dementia.

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WHAT IS DEMENTIA? Like other parts of the body, the brain can become ill and change the way people behave.

When someone’s brain stops working properly, they can: • • • •

Forget names and faces Become upset and frustrated Not recognise where they are Have trouble speaking and moving

The word used by doctors to describe these problems is dementia.

It is important to remember: • You cannot catch dementia like you can a cold • Most people with dementia are old • It’s okay to ask questions and talk about your feelings • You can help someone with dementia.

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A-Maze-ing

Answer can be found on page 23

People with dementia can often become lost and confused.

In the maze below, can you help this elderly man find his hat?

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express yourself Dementia can affect how someone acts and speaks. Look at the facial expressions in the cartoons below and tell us what you think they might be trying to tell you. Are they happy? Sad? Angry?.. Or something else?

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spot the difference

Answer can be found on page 23

Someone with dementia might look the same on the outside but their brain has changed on the inside. Look at these two pictures. They might look the same but in fact there are 8 differences, can you find them?

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look again Sometimes our brain can play tricks on us. It can be scary when an image changes in front of you. Look at these pictures and see what you think!

Look at the spiral and then look away, does it look like it is moving?

Are these stairs going up or down?

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What do you see, a vase, or two faces?

Are these lines straight, or at an angle?

Is this triangle flat or 3D?

holiday hurry Mark is going on holiday. He needs some help remembering what to pack in his suitcase! Look at all the objects below and then cover them up with a piece of paper. Can you list them all from memory?

People with dementia often struggle with remembering things too.

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What am I? Sometimes those who are living with dementia struggle to place people, objects or memories. They might forget a name, someone’s job or relationship to them. We have given you three clues to each person’s job, can you guess what they do?

1.

Answer can be found on page 23

2.

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3.

• I perform on stage • I sing into a microphone • I go on tour I am a:

• I like the sea • I have a rod and net • I work on a boat I am a:

• I wear a bright uniform • I wear a hard helmet • I spray water from a hose I am a:

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5.

6.

• I wear a red uniform • I have to get up very early • I go to peoples’ front doors every morning I am a:

• I use chalk and markers • I work in a school • I give out homework I am a:

• I wear a big white hat • I work in a kitchen • I like food I am a:

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8.

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• I wear a black uniform • I have a badge • I carry handcuffs with me everywhere I go I am a:

• I wear a white coat • I help poorly people • I work in a hospital I am a:

• I am creative • I paint and draw • My work is in a gallery I am a:

i remember you People with dementia can struggle to recognise the people they love and need help remembering. Seeing you wearing a new t-shirt or changing your hairstyle can be confusing to them.

What makes you memorable?

My name is

and I have colour hair.

colour eyes and I am in Year

at

My nickname is My favourite song is

School. because

.

by the artist .

because it makes me feel because

My favourite subject is .

My favourite hobby is

.

I always wear

.

You will always see me with

.

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colour me happy Do you have a favourite colour? Mine is yellow because it reminds me of the warm sunshine. Colour can affect our mood.

Those with dementia usually like different shades of red, blue or green. Tell me your thoughts on each colour below.

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This colour reminds me of...

This colour reminds me of...

This colour reminds me of...

This colour makes me feel...

This colour makes me feel...

This colour makes me feel...

This colour reminds me of...

This colour reminds me of...

This colour reminds me of...

This colour makes me feel...

This colour makes me feel...

This colour makes me feel...

time well spent People with dementia sometimes forget what they enjoy doing.

You can help! List the things you can do for fun and the things you can do to help others!

Things we can do for fun:

Things I can help with:

eg. Dance to my favourite song

eg. Clear the table after dinner

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Placing faces People with dementia often have trouble recognising faces.

Close your eyes and try to draw your face. No peeking...

It’s probably harder than you think!

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hidden words

F

O

R

G

E

T

I

O

F

H

R

V

B

E

D

Find these words:

C

X

F

E

Q

P

B

R

A

I

N

O

N

G

E

DEMENTIA

H

N

G

V

X

Z

O

B

M N

A

S

F

E

M

ALZHEIMERS

B

O

H

Q

A

P

R

I

I

O

P

M A

E

E

MEMORY

N

A

E

R

A

J

R

R

L

L

U

A

C

H

N

CHANGE

G

Q

L

A

B

C

E

E

Y

C

Z

R

E

L

T

PUZZLING

E

S

P

Z

E

G

T

E

S

A

Z

M

S

M

I

MIND

M

Z

B

C

H M X

F

N

S

L

A

H

O

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BRAIN

S

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M D

A

E

M

L

A

U

I

J

F

H

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FORGET

U

T

E

T

V

Y

I

K

S

P

N

O M

S

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P

A M W

I

W N M

L

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D

K

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HELP SUPPORT FAMILY EXPRESSION FACES EYES BEHAVIOUR

Answer can be found on page 23

Sometimes dementia patients struggle to find the right words to say. Some of the words in the wordsearch below might be new to you, such as Alzheimer’s, which is a type of dementia. How many of the words listed can you find?

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Shadow match

Answer can be found on page 23

People with dementia sometimes forget how things look and work. Looking at the shapes below, can you marry up the object and its shadow?

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Connect the dots People with dementia can take longer to understand what it is they are seeing. Connect the dots by following the numbers in order. What do you see?

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Well done!

How difficult did you find this book?

Easy peasy!

Very hard!

It was just right

Not sure

How did this book make you feel?

Happy

Sad

Excited

Sleepy

Do you feel like you understand dementia more?

A bit more

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Much more

Not really

I don’t know

It was great to get to know you, thank you for playing these games with us, we hope you have had fun!

Dementia is not easy to live with, but it doesn’t have to be scary when you understand it.

You can play through these games again any time.

See you soon!

Lorraine & Mark

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Dementia care tailored to the individual

About Orchard Care Homes

About Reconnect Specialist Dementia Care

Over the past 15 years Orchard Care Homes has become one of the UK’s largest providers of high-quality care for elderly people, including those with dementia.

Reconnect is an exciting and innovative person-centred approach to caring for people with dementia, based on our belief that it is possible for anyone to maintain a good quality of life.

Our focus is to provide exceptional specialist care on a long term or short term/respite basis, in comfortable, welcoming and homely surroundings.

Orchard Care Homes offer different types of care for residents depending on their need, within a compassionate, fulfilling and safe environment.

The Reconnect model of care recognises the importance of relationships, communication, environment, empathy, meaningful occupation and the role of family, incorporating them into every part of everyday living.

We believe that with empathy, sensitivity and care, we can build a stronger bond between a person with dementia and their loved ones.

Our dedicated approach and nurturing environment are designed to reduce the need for multiple moves to higher need services for our residents. In addition, many people in our care will be able to reduce medication, often prescribed to help manage anxiety or challenging behaviour.

About the authors: Lorraine Lee RMN, MBA, BSc (HONS) Cert ED Executive Director for Quality and Governance, Nominated Individual and The Caldicott Guardian for Orchard Care Homes. Founder of Reconnect dementia care.

Mark Quarmby RMN Mental health specialist and Head of Dementia at Orchard Care Homes. Reconnect dementia care trainer.

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orchardcarehomes.com info@orchardcarehomes.com 03332 301 303

Answers

Page 7

Page 9

1. Singer 2. Fisherman 3. Fireman 4. Postman 5. Teacher 6. Chef 7. Policeman 8. Doctor 9. Artist Page 12

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Page 18

Making Sense of Dementia is a fun activity book designed to help children aged 8+ understand dementia. Our nurses Lorraine and Mark will guide you through various fun activities that will help you to bond with a friend or family member suffering from dementia and understand the difficulties they may be facing.