Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Mar 8, 2024 | Giving Care, March - April 2024
Programming for the residents of a memory care facility can be challenging. Everyone is at a different place health-wise. Many activities are not appropriate for everyone. Even one-on-one activities can be challenging with this population.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Sep 3, 2023 | Giving Care, Sept - Oct 2023
Kūpuna living with dementia often find cooking to be a familiar and engaging activity. Cooking offers many therapeutic benefits and can stimulate the senses, triggering happy memories. It is an activity caregivers should consider adding to their everyday caregiving toolkit.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | May 9, 2023 | Living Life, May - June 2023
Going through security at the airport is stressful. The lines are long. People around you are losing their minds. Airport air conditioning is way too cold, and when you finally get to the security scanner, TSA officials are shouting confusing directions: “Take your shoes off!” “Pour out that water!”
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Jan 1, 2023 | Giving Care, Jan - Feb 2023
Much more than just a time-filler, live music holds therapeutic benefits for nursing home residents. According to a 2016 study, live music has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body, allowing for a stronger immune system, reduction in depression, better memory and many other benefits. It’s no wonder that nursing homes schedule in a healthy dose of live music!
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Nov 2, 2022 | Giving Care, Nov - Dec 2022
According to a 2021 research review on the impact of gardening in dementia treatment, exposure gardening activities has shown many benefits for the dementia population. Some of these benefits include reduction in depression and aggressive behaviors, an increase in engagement, improved mood and an increased sense of purpose.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Feb 27, 2022 | Giving Care, March-April 2022
Meaningful, familiar and ability-matching activities for those with dementia is the goal of the Montessori method of dementia care. Long-term memories can be unlocked through engaging in familiar tasks.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Oct 1, 2021 | Giving Care, October-November 2021
For someone with dementia, both too much and too little sensory stimulation may lead to agitated behaviors. To keep your loved one at a regulated state of sensory stimulation, it is important to consider what is providing sensory stimulation in each space.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Jun 7, 2021 | Giving Care, June-July 2021
Providing meaningful activities for your loved one with dementia is very possible. Activities can add meaning, boost quality of life, and provide beautiful opportunities for connection. Here are some tips…
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Apr 4, 2021 | April - May 2021, Giving Care
Beginning in March 2020, recreation therapists, activity directors and staff were faced with the daunting task of making their activities safe for their residents. Groups were cancelled; family members, volunteers and outside entertainment were no longer allowed inside of nursing homes. Much more time was devoted to cleaning and social distancing.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Oct 7, 2020 | Giving Care, October - November 2020
Music is often the background of many of our memories. We grow up hearing it on the radio, on TV and in concerts. We sang in school and at special events. We often associate certain songs with our relationships, happy memories, sad memories, growing up and different seasons of life. Because of its constant presence in our lives, music is deeply woven into our memories, and can offer hope and helpful tools to those whose memories are fading.