Monday, April 27, 2009

Gifts?

What if we asked people in long term care if they would like to give a gift to someone...what would it be? To whom? How might they actually go about making/giving it?

Just reading more in this dissertation about the use of plants in long term care, and it turns out that residents tended the plants and then some gave them as gifts to people they cared about. That's fascinating...and so normal outside of LTC.

What's "meaningful?"

I'm reading a dissertation by Emi Kiyota, and thought this quotation might be helpful for us as we think in the tank.

"Meaningful occupations are conceptualized in occupational science literature as ones 'which enhance individual well-being, help establish and maintain identity, and help connect ones' past, present, and future into a meaningful life.'" (Ikiugu, 2005). (21)

and "A series of studies show that decreased mortality and psychological disability occur when individuals feel a sense of usefulness, purpose, and meaningfulness." 22.

Providing choices gives people control over their environment. Choices that actually determine the shape/outcome of something are crucial to well-being.

I would also encourage us to think "relationally." Transforming activities is about providing choice/meaning for elders, AND it is about providing choice/meaning for their care partners (family, friends, staff). These choices and meaning might be different. But part of transforming activities is community building.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Concert!

What a treat we have for you all as our kick off for the Think Tank...

http://www.pabsttheater.org/paulcebar

Our 2008 Artist in Residence David Greenberger will perform Cherry Picking Apple Blossom Time with the Paul Cebar Stage Ensemble at the Pabst Theater Wednesday evening!

Milwaukee Public Television will film it and combine their footage with a documentary being made on Greenberger's residency for broadcast next November.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Improv Resource

I like this one since it involves movement, sound and creating scenarios:
Applied Improv

Sunday, April 5, 2009

More resources

To follow on Anne's resource list of sites offering conceptual, practical and otherwise compelling challenges I wanted to add:

CCA actions
Learning to Love you More



-nick

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Another resource...

When I saw these, I instantly wanted to invite Denise Iris to the Think Tank...
but we are bursting at the seams. So I include this here as a resource, and we'll try to show a few of these during breaks at the Think Tank.

http://www.minimentals.net/mm.html