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New Zealand Dementia Foundation
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Best Practice Links

Supporting Meaningful Engagement

 

Activities or Meaningful Activities?
Author:
Orquidea Tamayo Mortera: Presentation to Dementia Matewareware Network Hui September 2024 
Description:
Orquidea is passionate about Diversional and Recreational Therapy and believes it is fundamental to enhancing quality of life. Orquidea's many roles include National Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for Summerset Group Holdings, chair of the NZ Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapists, and co-chair of Allied Health Aotearoa.  
Video link
Powerpoint
Tailoring Meaningful Activities
Author:
Tracey Hawkes: Presentation to Dementia Matewareware Network Hui September 2024 
Description:
Tracey is an Occupational Therapist with over two decades of clinical experience. She facilitates the ‘Walking in Another’s Shoes’ dementia education programme for home-based support staff. Her focus is helping care staff develop the confidence and person-centred tools to support older people to live more independent and fulfilled lives.
Video link
Activity Pillars Diagram
Meaning in Meaningful Activities
Author:
Darral Campbell: Presentation to Dementia Matewareware Network Hui September 2024 
Description:
Darral Campbell is the Manager of Dementia Canterbury, an organisation committed to supporting people to live well in the community with dementia mate wareware for as long as possible. Her particular interest is partnerships with community that enable access and opportunity for social connection and stimulation for those living with a dementia diagnosis.
Video Link
Powerpoint Link
Community Activity Groups for People Living at Home with Dementia
Author:
Dementia Canterbury 
Description:

Developing meaningful activities for someone living with dementia requires an understanding of their life: their interests, strengths and abilities, what's important to them, what they're proud of, and what makes their day. Activity groups provide an opportunity for respite for carers/whanau, and our groups involve partnerships with many community providers so that activity happens in normalised environments.

PDF Link
Community Activity Groups for People Living with Dementia: A Guide to Getting Started
Author:
Dementia Canterbury 
Description:

The purpose of this resource pack is to help organisations get started on running community-based activity groups for people living with dementia. It covers why activity groups are such a positive experience for all the parties involved, guidance and resources to help you run groups for people living with dementia, and lots of examples of successful groups to inspire you.

PDF Link
19 Fun and Engaging Indoor Activities for Seniors
Author:
The Estates at Carpenters
Description:
Summer is usually the season when everyone enjoys the outdoors like going for walks, having a picnic, even going on a day trip. But in Florida, the summer heat can be stifling. Sometimes there are days when it’s enjoyable to stay inside with air conditioning.Learning something new is a great summertime adventure and there are plenty of ways to stay engaged and active indoors. Take a look at these fun indoor activities for seniors so you can stay cool while enjoying your summer.
Article Link
33 Mental Health Activities, Exercises, and Questions
Author:
RJ Gumban
Description:
Mental health activities are designed to support one's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. They help us navigate stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. They are especially useful for teens at a critical stage in their emotional development. These activities can significantly reduce everyday disruptions caused by mental health disorders. They can provide structure, promote healthier habits, improve mood, increase resilience, and foster a better understanding of one's mental state.
Article Link
Therapeutic Recreational Activities
Author:
Complete Therapies
Description:
Therapeutic recreational activities are designed for people with disabilities. They can be used as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program or as an adjunct treatment to other services. Research shows that leisure activities have positive physical and mental effects on people with special needs, including increased self-esteem, a better quality of life, improved social skills and a reduced need for care.
Link
Doctor’s Orders — Head to the Museum Instead of the Pharmacy
Author:
Kalpana Jane
Description:

Instead of a health care model based entirely on pills and procedures, where doctors ask patients, ‘what is the matter with you,’ this concept makes a paradigm shift to asking ‘what matters to you,’” says Bogdan Chiva Giurca, a London-based physician and a champion of social prescribing in the U.K. and globally.

Article Link
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Bringing dementia into focus: Supporting the dementia workforce to do their best work.

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