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(Your adjusted total
with the discount will appear on the invoice included in your shipment.) $36.95 
View the "Best Friends at the Grove" video clip here View the "David Troxel and The Best Friends Approach" video clip here Related Titles: Best
Friends Book of Alzheimer's Activities, Volume One |
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Excerpted from the Introduction and Ch. 8 (p. 155) of The Best Friends Book of Alzheimer’s Activities, Volume Two, by Virginia Bell, M.S.W., David Troxel, M.P.H., Robyn Hamon, M.S.W., & Tonya Cox, M.S.W. Copyright © 2008 by Health Professions Press, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Introduction Welcome to the second volume of The Best Friends Book of Alzheimer’s Activities. The first volume, written for professionals and family caregivers, was published in 2004 and has enjoyed great success. We have been gratified that activities professionals have taken the Best Friends challenge to enhance their activity programming, be bold, try new ideas, and strive to give joy, interest, and dignity to those in their care. An analogy that we used in the opening of the first book still has meaning. If you play baseball or softball and mis-hit the pitch when it comes at you, then you may hear an unpleasant-sounding thud and the ball won’t go far. If you hit the ball just right, then you can almost hear the sweet spot and the ball will travel a long way. The goal of both Volumes One and Two is to help you hit a "home run" when it comes to activities: to hit the sweet spot. Here is an example that was given to us by one activity director. Before he embraced the Best Friends philosophy, he would routinely do a crossword puzzle as a group activity. "It would drag on for about 30 minutes, kept alive only by my own energy and the interest of a few people." With the Best Friends approach, he now pauses along the way, discusses the words (e.g., "5 down is ocean. Can anyone name the oceans of the world?"), and encourages reminiscence. The crossword puzzle itself now becomes secondary; it’s the being together that’s important. About Volume Two This book is meant to be a companion book to Volume One. It offers 149 new Best Friends activities. This book will be helpful to any family or professional caregiver of a person who has dementia and is at home, in an adult day center, or living in residential care. We have repeated some of the basics of the Best Friends philosophy in this chapter for the reader’s convenience, even though these are noted in the first activity book. Volume Two can stand alone. We have kept the same format as Volume One: Activities are briefly described in a shaded box to the upper right or left of the page. "The Basics" describe what it takes to implement the activity. Then look for the Best Friends logo labeled "The Best Friends Way" for dozens of ideas about how to make the activity richer and more successful. Although somewhat retitled, five chapter topics from Volume One are repeated, but with all new activities. These chapters are "Celebrating the Moment," "Adult Education," "Let’s Create," "Games and Active Things to Do Together," and "In the Evening." We have given the readers new ideas on these topics because of "popular demand." These are the sections on which we have received the most reports of success! In this field, ideas are constantly evolving. We are pleased, for example, to retitle the chapter "Recreating the Classroom Experience" from our first book to "Adult Education" to reflect feedback from many persons with early dementia that they want to keep learning and/or be exposed to new, stimulating ideas for as long as possible. The title "Adult Education" seems more respectful, hopeful, and consistent with new ideas that support "brain aerobics" and lifelong learning. Five chapters are brand new: "Honoring the Life Story," "Religious and Spiritual Traditions," "Wellness," "In the Kitchen," and "Community Spirit." "Honoring the Life Story" offers activities that will not only celebrate the person’s unique history but also create opportunities for staff members to learn new, helpful facts about persons who are in their care. "Religious and Spiritual Traditions" discusses eight different world religions or spiritual practices to offer ideas for keeping individuals connected with their faith. The chapter’s activities can also be used for broader education and programs that celebrate our diversity. "Wellness" discusses activities that benefit us all, including persons with dementia. Practices such as relaxation, visualization, Tai Chi, breathing exercises, intentional walking, and others can bring enhanced emotional and physical well-being to persons with dementia and their caregivers. "In the Kitchen" is self-explanatory. We believe that food remains a great pleasure for many persons with dementia. The chapter offers some delicious recipes but also some sensory-rich experiences, including a number of activities with an ethnic twist. "Community Spirit" builds on our philosophy that persons with dementia often want to be involved in meaningful activities that help other people. The chapter offers ideas for keeping persons productive. It also suggests activities that can keep them in the community, whether it is going out to eat or going to a museum. Once again, we offer a helpful grid of activities at the beginning of the book that summarizes how different activities can be used and also serves as a table of contents or easy way to find a particular activity. A significant focus of Volume Two is to recognize the growing diversity in the United States as it is reflected in staff, clients, and families in our long-term care programs. This book includes many multicultural activities, including the material noted here on various world religions. In Volume Two, activities are geared not only for persons who are in their 70s, 80s, and 90s but also for younger persons who are in their 50s and 60s and have dementia. The baby boomers are aging, and our programs will be challenged to meet the needs (and demands) of this unique generation. For the first time, we are pleased also to include contributed activities from dementia programs in the United States and other countries. We solicited these activities via the Internet as well as through personal contacts and travels. We hope that you enjoy some of these activities from around the world. Finally, Volume Two offers the unique perspective on activities from 21 persons who have dementia who have told us their fascinating stories. They have much to say about activities, as you will read in the following section. Chapter 8: In the Kitchen Sample Activity Sweet As Honey Honey is a staple worldwide and is prized as a special treat in some countries. Persons with dementia have enjoyed honey and are fascinated to learn more about this ancient food, a gift from bees and beekeepers. The Basics Obtain for this activity:
Before the session, learn all you can about bees and beekeeping, the different kinds of honey, and the various ways in which honey is used. Search on the Internet using keywords: bees, beekeeping, and honey. From the information you have found, prepare several cards of information and trivia that can be read later by persons or by the activity leader. Discuss the information and encourage participation. Look at pictures of bees and talk about any experiences of the group with bees or beekeeping. Finish the session by tasting the two kinds of honey on buttered biscuit halves. Discuss the kind of honey that is liked better. Variation: Bake or taste baklava, a Greek sweet that is made with honey. The Best Friends Way Life Story: Who may have grown up with hives of bees? Did someone always have honey on the table? Who knows the difference between a honeybee and a bumblebee? Did anyone ever get stung by a bee? Did anyone ever find honey in an old tree or see a swarm of bees? The Arts: Think of all of the sayings that use the word bee, and make a collage of the sayings. Read or recall the story of Winnie the Pooh and how the bear stuck his nose in the beehive. Old Sayings: "Beehive hairdo." "Sweet as honey." "Biscuits and honey." "Busy as a bee." "Queen bee." Sensory: The aroma and the taste of biscuits and honey are very pleasing. Early Dementia: Persons may respond in a positive way if asked to read the statements about bees and honey. Late Dementia: Persons may enjoy tasting the biscuit and honey. Conversation: Seek information: "Mr. Paulsell, you said that your family kept bees. Did the bees help pollinate your crops?" Ask an opinion: "Minot, can you tell the difference between this clover honey and this apple blossom honey?" Encourage conversation: "Sara Mae, what kind of flowers do you think bees like best?"
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