See this introduction to Elder Care Conversations with program developers David Troxel and Kathy Laurenhue.

In 12 modules, this comprehensive, easy-to-use program of audio recordings, PowerPoint presentations, and printable materials provides:

Hundreds of practical ideas to start, improve, or transform your activity programming
Dozens of specific activity ideas that work with elders in all kinds of care settings, from skilled nursing to memory care
Downloadable MP3 audio files for each module
PowerPoint slides for staff training
Printable handouts for on-the-spot activities
A dozen MindPlay Connection™ titles providing 150+ themed trivia quizzes, word games, and discussion topics

PLUS this portable USB flash drive contains a comprehensive list of resources linking you to a virtual library of recommended books, websites, and other instructional materials.

Activity Programming 101

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Firsts
- “Firsts” is not about winning, but about first letters of the alphabet, first time events, entertaining firsts, first class, first cousins, firsthand knowledge, and the first to invent…and that’s just for starters!

Adapting Activities for Dementia

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Handout: Communication Tips
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Pleasing Poetry
- “Pleasing Poetry” brings back the delight we felt when we first encountered poetry in nursery rhymes–the fun of language, the rhythm, and the humor–and fits in a few words about Shakespeare.

Keeping Up Appearances: ADLs as Activities

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Handout: You Would Resist, Too, If It Happened to You
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: The Nifty 1950s
- “The Nifty 1950s” focuses on 1950s music, culture, fads, and slang. Also covered is the Edsel, the climbing of Mount Everest, and President Eisenhower.

Innovative Art Programming

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Handout: Sample Art Projects from the Best Friends™ Approach to Activities
Handout: Adult Art Supply List
Handout: Common Patters in the Art of People with Dementia
Handout: Memories in the Making® at Home: A Meaningful Activity for Persons with Dementia by La Doris “Sam” Heinly
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Color Me Beautiful
- “Color Me Beautiful” is about the many ways in which color influences what we say and do, and how we feel.

Energizing Your Exercise Programming

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Summertime and the Living is Easy
- “Summertime and the Living is Easy” provides loads of ways to: reminisce about simple days, special events, and summer jobs; check your knowledge of crazy contests and classic toys; and play some sporting and sundae word games. Plus more!

Homework: Hitting a Homerun with Household Chores

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Handout: Fill in the Blank Activity
Handout: List of Possible Household Chores
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Occupying Occupations
- “Occupying Occupations” covers both those you would and wouldn’t like to have and raises lively questions on how to satisfyingly occupy one’s days. Sometimes you’ll be glad to say, “That’s not my job!”

Just for Men

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Fishing Theme Leader’s Guide and Handouts
Handout: Dog Biscuits
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Money Matters
- “Money Matters” is not meant to confirm that money matters, but rather covers matters about money, and how you are, we hope, rich in many ways that money can’t buy.

Sharing Life Stories

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Handout: Choose One
Handout: Best Qualities
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: It’s All Relative
- “It’s All Relative” offers exercises on surnames, famous siblings, our siblings, children, and grandchildren, with a couple of related word games thrown in. Learn why nostalgia is a mood lifter, and then share your best family stories.

Magical Music

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Music to Lighten the Mood
- “Music to Lighten the Mood” will have you whistling a happy tune as you imagine yourself as a rock star, play Mondegreens, match quirky country music titles, and learn about “The Really Terrible Orchestra,” among other interesting performers. Music is a great way to bring people together, to build warm feelings and rapport. Break into song whenever the mood hits you as you complete the exercises, and do check out the musical Internet references to enrich this experience.

In the News

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Handout: USA Today as an Activity Generator
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Odd Celebrations
- “Odd Celebrations” proves beyond a doubt that people just want to have fun. A full range of exercises on quirky festivals of every sort, from a baby jumping contest to the world’s fastest couch, will have you laughing and ready to start your own fun fest.

The Great Outdoors

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Handout: Activities from the Garden
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: In the Garden
- “In the Garden” focuses on flowers, fruits, vegetables, and nuts (mostly the plant variety) and covers perennials and puns, garden gifts, garden gnomes, and much more.

Celebrating Spirituality

PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Outline
Downloadable MP3 File
Top 10 Takeaways
Handout: Things to Keep in Mind When the Older Adult Has Dementia
Handout: How to Visit Someone at Home and Feed His/Her Spirit
Handout: how to Help Feed the Spirit of the Family Caregiver
Handout: Basic Information on Major Religions
Wiser Now MindPlay Connections™: Our Better Selves
- “Our Better Selves” provides the encouraging exercises related to happiness, kindness, friendship, and more, while drawing out compliments on your unique talents.

Content Master List
Resources Master List

Elder Care Conversations: Amping Up Your Activity Programming (Excerpt) by Health Professions Press on Scribd

David Troxel

Based in northern California, David Troxel, M.P.H., is nationally and internationally known for his expertise in the fields of dementia & long-term care. He has co-authored (with Virginia Bell) six influential books, including his newest book, and written numerous articles relating to dementia care and staff development and training. He is a writer, trainer, and long-term care consultant who has spoken at over 500 conferences including keynote presentations at various U.S., Canadian, and international conferences. He served for a decade as the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara (California) Alzheimer’s Association (1994-2004). He also helped support his mother, Dorothy, in her 10-year journey living with Alzheimer’s disease. David’s areas of expertise include best care practices for persons with dementia, caregiver support, staff training, and long-term care program development. More information about David’s work can be found on his website at www.bestfriendsapproach.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bestfriendsapproach.

Kathy Laurenhue

Kathy Laurenhue is CEO of Wiser Now, Inc., a multimedia publishing and staff development company that emphasizes well-being in aging by providing practical solutions in a lighthearted way. Kathy has a master’s degree in instructional technology (multimedia training) and an undergraduate degree in English. As a Certified Humor Professional, she is a graduate of and advisor to the Humor Academy that is part of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH). In addition to the titles she has written for Health Professions Press, she is the author of a companion set of books on Alzheimer’s disease, and a word game puzzle book called What’s Left? – Holidays and Seasons, and Creating Delight – Connecting Gratitude, Humor and Play, which sums up her work and life goals. She has also created more than a thousand trivia quizzes, word games, discussion topics and imaginative/reminiscence exercises currently being updated and made available as downloadable slide shows on her website and as individual exercises for various clients. She also gives monthly webinars to activity professionals. You can visit her website at www.wisernow.com.