If you are a caregiver or work with Dementia patients, you know that keeping the person busy and engaged is important and can help keep their mood regular.
I purchased 5x7 inch index cards in different colors. We brainstormed positive sayings, Irish Blessings, and happy phrases. I included my dad in every step of this process. I printed the phrases on the cards. We then decorated the cards and added some stickers. We even decorated the back of the cards. We keep the cards close by to use. When someone says something mean, negative or derogatory, any of us can pick up a card and read it aloud. We hand it to the person that said the negative comment and they have to read it too. My dad hung some of the cards on his bedroom door. He takes pride in making things.
Positive sayings:
Don't Lose Focus
Give it time
Smile today
You can do it because I will be with you
Nothing in life is impossible
“The spirit never ages. It stays forever young.” – Lailah Gifty Akita
You can make a set of cards to use. Every few days, make some new cards. This is an ongoing activity.
“You don’t have a future when you refuse to accept the former generation. Simple.” – Petra Hermans
“Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.” – Stanislaw Jerzy Lec
To update this activity. We recently made cards with rules and directions on them. We posted them in different places in the house.
IE
Bathroom Rules
flush the toilet
don't use towels to clean the floor
put dirty clothes in the hamper
put dirty underwear (diaper) in the trashcan
Kitchen Rules
put dirty dishes in the sink
keep the refrigerator door closed
put trash in the trashcan
My dad enjoyed working on the positive cards. His writing is wobbly so I wrote the sayings he wanted on the cards. we decorated them together. We have worked on these for hours each week. My dad is Irish and especially likes Irish blessings so we wrote blessings on the cards.
Irish Curses, Blessings, and Toasts: A Little Book of Wit, Wisdom, and Whimsy Paperback – March 1, 2018
by Nicholas Nigro (Author)
IRISH BLESSINGS - Over 100 Irish Blessings in 8 Categories Paperback – May 8, 2014
by Jean LeGrand (Author)
markers to decorate the cards
positive quotes on a spiral turn
great ideas