By SANDI PETERS, In 2004 I was working in a nursing home. I had just started and was unsure of the culture. Each morning the routine was for management to meet in what is called a ‘stand up’ where each department reports the work plan for the day and also advises others of any … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Validation
THE WREATH
Lydia asked: “I have an announcement to make to the group. My son gave me a wreath. If you look outside there, you can see it.” We all gathered close to the window. The night was falling. Continue reading
UNIVERSAL
From her bedroom door, she yells angrily. I approach. I ask: “What’s happening? -She does not understand English” Whispers a voice behind me. She invites me in, Guides me into the bathroom. Her piercing tone and gestures Tell that something Was transferred from the sink to the toilet (I recognize the word TOALET) And now … Continue reading
OFFERING
“Can it sit by the table? I brought something…” Roger, who just walked in, is pointing at the little black nylon shopping bag hanging from his walker. I move the chair a few feet towards the table. With careful shuffling steps, Roger positions himself in front of the chair and slowly folds his tall frame … Continue reading
PIAGET, The Very Fascinating Problem of Knowledge
“Young children cannot achieve the mental operation necessary for thorough comprehension of numbers. A 4 year old child might think that two sets are equivalent in number (Set1 = Set2) if they have the same length. The child focuses on a single quality of each set: LENGTH.” Set 1: O O O O Set 2: … Continue reading
SAFETY
“Call Security! She is hitting us!” Nicole, behind her walker, is zooming through the hallway, surrounded by nursing staff. She speaks in a language we don’t understand well. Framed by her short silvery hair, her face is serious, focused. Her walker went straight into the nursing assistant who was trying to redirect her. A few … Continue reading
ABOUT THE MOTHER
This 2017 post continues my 2015 post I NEED TO SEE MY MOTHER. If you have not read it, or forgot, you might want to go there first https://soul2soul-seniors.com/2015/07/02/i-need-to-see-my-mother/ 5:30PM, I am entering the activity room to start my evening program. Dinner is barely finished. The tables are getting cleared. Among the noises and motions … Continue reading
SPEAKING TO HERSELF
“–Pauline looks better today. –Yes, she is speaking non-stop, to herself. – I noticed that. She does it often, even when surrounded by people and activities. What does she say? –She talks about her house, her things. That she has a lot of gold and diamond jewelry. In reality she had some, but not that … Continue reading
THE HIDDEN RESTRAINT
The following story comes from Heather Luth, the Dementia Program Coordinator for Schlegel Villages in Ontario, Canada. It was quoted in a post by by Dr. Al Power, http://changingaging.org/dementia/the-hidden-restraint-part-4/ I encourage you to read the 4 parts of this beautiful post. Dr. Power’s and the Changing Aging team have been bringing me hope and strength, … Continue reading
ONE LAST JUMP
“TEN-NINE-EIGHT-SEVEN-SIX-FIVE-FOUR-THREE-TWO-ONE-ZEROOOOOO” Holding hands, forming a large circle, we all jump into the German skies. We enjoy floating together weightless before the rude contact with the ground. “BOUM!” “Anybody speaks German?” Nope. It does not seem to matter, we did it. Marty is beaming. It all started when I walked inside the circle of a dozen … Continue reading
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