Elderly Care Resources

By Robin Dynes

Hi, I'm Robin Dynes and I will provide you with articles in order to share guidance, food for thought, ideas and exercises to stimulate your creativity. I also discuss issues to aid your approach to maintaining the health and wellbeing of older people.

The aim is to get you thinking about practice, boost your impetus and help you to avoid pitfalls.

I have over 25 years' of experience working in numerous care settings and as a trainer, and have been a consultant to local authority partnerships which provide services in the community, for day centres and residential homes.

You can contact me via my website: www.robindynes.co.uk.

I have published a number of resources with Speechmark, which include:

The Reminiscence Puzzle Book, The Memory Box, The Group Leader’s Toolkit, The Non-Competitive Activity Book, Memory Games For Groups, Creative Writing in Groupwork and Creative Games in Groupwork.

The Reminiscence Puzzle Book Spanning the years 1930 to 1989, this is a popular and enjoyable puzzle book. The puzzle subjects cover events, people, entertainment and everyday life. This resource is designed to encourage group particpation in recalling and discussing their own personal experiences surrounding each subject. It can be used as a group warm up or simply as a fun rainy day activity. The puzzles are fully adaptable so that they can be taylored according to the needs and abilities of group members. Contents Each decade between the years of 1930 to 1989 contains six types of puzzle: Who did what? Scramble What happened? True or false Whats the connection? Famous people crossword. Order your copy of The Reminiscence Puzzle Book £32.99 The Memory Box This multi-use resource contains a guidebook and 120 discussion cards to facilitate general reminiscence, produce memory diaries, put together guided autobiographies, or to help facilitate life reviews. Divided into twelve themes, the cards cover: family background; childhood and school days; adult life and children; working life; events; achievements; places; people; good times and bad times; favourite things; love and romance; and bits and pieces. The cards can be used with individuals or groups using spoken, recorded or written responses, and are adaptable for use with most clients and groups. Includes guidance on working with groups with learning difficulties, sensory or speech difficulties, dementia or bereavement, depression and illness. Ideal for use by care workers, nurses and occupational therapists working in hospitals, day centres or residential homes. Contents A guide to using The Memory Box: Introduction; Using the cards for specific purposes; Working with different types of clients; Respecting differences; Issues to bear in mind; Appendices 120 cards, boxed. Order your copy of The Memory Box £39.99 + VAT The Group Leader's Toolkit Activities & Strategies for Working with Groups This toolkit is an invaluable resource for tutors, occupational therapists, nurses, care staff, probation staff, youth leaders and anyone - new or experienced - who works with groups. It is an essential resource for all kinds of groups, these tried and tested strategies will stimulate and encourage full participation from all group members. The book provides ideas for: introducing group members to each other; breaking down barriers; energising people; helping people learn; moving the group on; building trust between group members; motivating people; assessing and evaluating the group; managing behaviour and personal responsibility; and ending sessions. The activities are set out in a clear, easy to follow format, with variations and guidance for adapting the activities. Whilst it will enable group leaders to promote group members' self development, it also meets the needs of their different learning styles. The sessions stimulate their creativity and develop their thinking skills. Contents Introduction; The Toolkit: Introductions and 'icebreakers'; Building trust; Energisers; Learning; Motivation; Problem solving; Managing behaviour and personal responsibility; Assessment and evaluation; More useful tools; Closures; Index. Order your copy of The Group Leader's Toolkit £35.99 The Non-Competitive Activity Book This superb practical handbook contains 100 activities that are non-competitive and can be used across the whole age spectrum with individuals or groups. It provides indispensable material for use with learning disabilities, mental health, physical disabilities and regressed psychiatric or geriatric patients. The non-competitive nature of these activities ensures that people feel safe in making a contribution, and fear of failure or disappointment is effectively eliminated. The book is divided into photocopiable sections, these provide a session format that focuses on maintaining and increasing the function of the whole person. An ideal resource for day centres, hospitals, care homes and the creative group leader. Contents Introduction; Starters and pairing up games; Movement; Perception; Cognitive stimulation; Endings; Alphabetical list of games "This handbook can be used for all age groups [and] for non-competitive groupwork this book is a useful and stimulating resource." NAPA Newsletter "This is a non-competitive games and activity book which can be used with all age groups and disciplines, but may be particularly useful for those with learning disabilities, mental health problems, physical disabilities, or for elderly and geriatric patients." NAPOT, Jill Manning, Senior Occupational Therapist Order your copy of The Non-Competitive Activity Book £35.99 Memory Games for Groups This wonderfully practical handbook features 80 adaptable and photocopiable games for uses with older people, as well as individuals or groups of all ages. The games can be used: as part of a social activities programme, specifically for reminiscence purposes, to help keep people orientated to the world around them, to exercise memory skills, or as the prelude to discussion so that individuals can share difficulties and explore methods of aiding memory. Contents Introduction; A guide to memory games for groups; Personal memories; The past; The present; The world; General games. Order your copy of Memory Games for Groups £28.99 Creative Writing in Groupwork Activities designed to help participants express themselves, explore situations, compare ideas and develop both imagination and creative ability. Bursting with more than 100 ideas and activities for encouraging creative writing as an effective activity for individuals and groups. This book contains hundreds of alternatives, suggestions for further development and ideas for discussion. Any barriers to writing and expression can be broken down with Robin's gentle advice. Contents A guide to creative writing in groupwork; General themes; Inspiring the imagination; Exploring relationships; Developing awareness; Producing a magazine or newspaper; Alphabetical list of exercises. "Well presented and easy to use, the six sections of this book have a structure which inspires the reader to include creative writing in a therapeutic programme. I enjoyed reading this book and I think it will prove useful to all group leaders who have an interest in this field." Judith Read, Head Occupational Therapist, Therapy Weekly Order your copy of Creative Writing in Groupwork £29.99 Creative Games in Groupwork Presented in a format that immediately allows you to see what materials are needed, how much preparation is required and how each game is played. Game ideas include: introduction mixing exercises games using gentle movement exuberant games puzzles brain teasers verbal games pen & paper games, and more. It includes a special outdoor selection, and advice on how to make your group successful. This is an ideal resource for activity organisers. Contents A creative guide to creative games in groupwork; Getting to know you (A selection of introduction and mixing exercises); Gently as you go (Quiet games, mostly using gentle movement); On the move (Exuberant games using vigorous movement); Solve a problem (Games using puzzles and brain-teasers); Talking it through (Verbal games); Writing it down (Pen and paper games); Use your knowledge (General and inpromptu quizzes); Exercise your word power (A selection of stimulating word games); Out and about (Outdoor activities); Alphabetical list of games "A book for anyone organising an activity programme this would be an ideal and practical resource for students starting a placement, and a valuable addition to any occupational therapy department or school library." British Journal of Occupational Therapy Order your copy of Creative Writing in Groupwork £29.99

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