Memory Joggers and more ...

Why not treat someone you love and care for?

Happy Days Memory Joggers are designed for our elders, people who need extra care or living with dementia to prompt memory and share recollections.

Enjoy special moments together... 

All About Me

Watch the smiles ...

My Memory Jogger

Memory Joggers make ideal gifts for relatives and friends
Buy at www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk

Setting goals ...

'Set a goal and outline what it takes to achieve it. 

Then stop trying to achieve the goal. 

Just achieve each step you outlined along the way.'

For more planning or business ideas, check out Solved https://www.facebook.com/marketing.advice

Couldn't have said it better myself. I do find that a huge task or goal often over-faces me. I often put off setting about the necessary events to reach a specific goal, completing trivial tasks first. I spend much time thinking and more time procrastinating. To be honest, setting out what I need to do on paper has saved a considerable amount of time. As the quote says, 'outline what it takes.'

I'm a list person. List-making is high priority for me. If I'm over-faced with something, I like to make a list of all the things I have to do. ... I have lists of lists. But that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm obsessive about the order of things. I like lists to relieve my brain from holding lots of trivial information; post a package - buy a birthday present, write a speech, fix a dripping tap, deliver a get well card, edit a book and so on.

But the problem is that my goals end up muddled in between this list of everyday tasks and trivia, often becoming overlooked. I sometimes sort items on my lists into importance categories - only to find that I'm over-faced with the most important big-goal/task category. I then permit myself to procrastinate some more. 

Solved's quote quite simply beginning, 'Set a goal', has made me realise that each goal needs it's own list! An idea which pleased me greatly.

So now, when I have an idea for a new project, I set the goal title on a new page. I try to avoid listing - so I draw boxes with a stage title relating to the goal. I jot down associated tasks and ideas in the relevant box. I organise the boxes into stages of importance. The boxes / stages don't over-face me and I have noticed that I'm much more focussed when I'm trying to accomplish the steps in the boxes. Small tasks in each box appear do-able and before I know it, I'm onto the next stage. Feeling a sense of achievement motivates me to continue to the next box or stage until I reach the goal.

So I'd like to say thanks to Solved for sharing their motivating tips - and remember ... If you're following your dream[s] - dreams are goals - set out the goal and achieve each step along the way.

Gillian

Beat the treats ...

I just love this information website:

This week, Change for Life's challenge has been to swap children's sweet treats for healthier options.

Try to swap 4 sweet treats for fruit, milk or other healthy options.

I think I'll try it myself.

Check out this website for fun, easy-to follow tips and ideas, helping the whole family to stay healthy.

http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/smart-restart.aspx

Does Reading and Writing slow dementia?

Reading and writing may help to slow dementia, a report says. There's much research going on into keeping the brain active to slow down the onset of dementia. If the brain is a muscle, I suppose that makes sense - keeping it exercised. Although there is no cure for the symptoms of dementia, scientists often encourage people living with dementia to keep making contact, saying that the brain can work around itself to remember and connect information.

Check out this article on reading and writing to help slow dementia:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/07/08/199955597/book-news-reading-and-writing-slow-dementia-study-says?goback=%2Egde_126335_member_273769981#%21

Retrieving memories can help with brain fitness, increasing blood flow and enhancing well-being. As I always like to add a visual to my blog posts, I'll leave you with this one: Time to Chat memory prompts for families, carers, volunteers, hospital visitors and carers in residential, domiciliary or dementia care:

Shop and more at: www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk

A Funny Thing Happened on My Way To The Dementia Ward ...

I just love facebook, twitter, linkedin for all the opportunities to network with people we might otherwise never get to meet.

Allow me to introduce you to Charles Schoenfeld, writer of  'A Funny Thing Happened On My Way to the Dementia Ward - Memoir of a Male CNA.'

It's available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Funny-Thing-Happened-Dementia-Ward/dp/1463770103
Kindle version also available.

“Remarkable insights of skilled nursing care from an insider! Married father of four retires, studies then becomes a CNA. During his seven years of service you’ll read about the “Secret Club,” drama, compassion, and even deer hunting. A must-read for every family struggling with the idea of moving a loved one into a nursing home. Inspiring reading for nursing home managers. Includes tips for visitors.”

Please feel free to share your comments.

Gillian

Recognising signs of bullying ...

How can we recognise if a child is being bullied?

Has your child's behaviour changed?

Is your child showing signs of worry, losing items, not wanting to go to school?

Try not to doubt your natural instincts - check out Bullying UK - part of Family Lives;
There's lots of information, checklists and tips ...

http://www.bullying.co.uk/advice-for-parents/how-to-spot-the-signs-of-bullying/

There's also a confidential helpline and live chat.

Happy Days have a range of creative resources to help children and young people express difficulties or broader needs to bring about earlier support.

Let your school's teachers and support workers know about Happy Days creative resources to help identify young people who may be experiencing difficulties. www.happydayspublishing.co.uk

For more information, email Gillian Hesketh gmhesketh@yahoo.co.uk

Are you a carer? Would you like to help our research?

Are you or do you know a carer in residential, dementia, assisted or domiciliary care? www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk 

Happy Days is passionate about helping carers working in residential, dementia, assisted or domiciliary care to provide enriched care.

We often hear that carers are overworked and underpaid, so how can we expect carers to take on the added pressure of ensuring residents are furnished with another level of care: enriched social and emotional care?

After extensive market research in residential care homes, it was clear that most carers wanted to enrich residents’ experiences and many felt they hadn’t the time, resources or materials or managerial/owner support. 

On a positive note, let’s not forget the many care service providers and carers doing a fantastic job of caring for our elders and people with dementia. 

If you are a carer, we would like to hear from you. Tell us about your working caring experience[s] so that Happy Days can help to bring enriched care not only to the people who need it but to help make an enjoyable day the people who provide it.

Happy Days have designed a range of talking prompts to help carers enrich the lives of the people they are caring for. Finding out about residents can supply information to initiate meaningful conversations. Prompting memory can generate special moments, interaction and activity. 

Sometimes, talking is just enough. Talking prompts don’t have to be stored on shelves or filing cabinets, they are small, lightweight, wipe-clean prompts designed especially for carers. Ideal for everyday use. Share conversations. Watch the smiles.

If you are a carer and would like to help our research by sharing your caring / working experiences, please email Gillian at gmhesketh@yahoo.co.uk

If you care for someone at home, we would also like to hear from you. Happy Days have developed resources and tips to help carers and welcome any thoughts on caring difficulties, issues or ideas.

Thankyou,

Gillian