On 9/9/2013 10:42 AM, Stanczak, Cindy wrote:
We've been asked by a local adult care facility if we could come once each month to lead a craft or other program.  About 80% of their residents have Dementia.  There would be some supervision by staff, but I need program ideas that are appropriate.   

Do any of you lead programs in adult care facilities and/or for dementia sufferers?

Cynthia Stanczak
Adult & Teen Services Librarian
Albion District Library
501 S. Superior St.
Albion, MI  49224
(517) 629-3993

Cindy,
You seem to want to be able to do your own program.  My blog at <http://www.storytellingresearchlois.com/search/label/Alzheimer%27s> will give you both links and a brief summary of what I did this past summer.  I enjoyed the work immensely, but had to keep the particulars confidential when posting.  If you look at the resources and would like still more information and training, I'd be happy to work with you or anyone wanting to offer what I call Elder Stories. 

The personality of the leader may make a difference in how well such programs work.  Keep it fun and a social event, rather than therapeutic!  I would very much like to do more of this type of program which encourages communication in people with Dementia.  It uses what the participants see in developing stories, rather than memory.  It also tends to open the minds of their caregivers in what still is possible.
LoiS(eeing the Baby Boom aging, this is an area of Outreach that will be growing)
-- 
Lois Sprengnether Keel
Website: <http://www.LoiS-sez.com>, Blog: <http://www.StorytellingResearchLoiS.com>,
and posting Detroit newspaper accounts of Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Civil War Infantry
at the pace they appeared 150 years ago at<http://mich5thinfantry.net>

* Storyteller in MI Arts and Humanities Directory
<http://www.michiganhumanities.org/programs/touring/Storyteller/#/18>
* In Historical Society of Michigan Directory
<http://www.hsmichigan.org/resources/storytellers-speakers-musicians/storyteller-lois-sprengnether-keel/>
* State Liaison for National Storytelling Network and Board Member of Youth, Educators, Storytellers Alliance (YES!)
* Webmaster for<http://www.MichiganStorytelling.org>