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The theme for June was "Hygiene". Check out caregiver tips for performing/maintaining hygiene for the person living with dementia below: June 7: “At some point, people with Alzheimer’s disease will need help bathing, combing their hair, brushing their teeth, and getting dressed. Because these are private activities, people may not want help. They may feel embarrassed about being naked in front of caregivers. They also may feel angry about not being able to care for themselves. These suggestions may help with everyday care...” -National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/.../bathing-dressing-and-grooming... June 14: Safety Equipment Items to have in the bathroom, according to Alzheimerblog.org -Non-skid safety mat -Grab bars -Shower bench or chair, or a transfer bench Read the full post here: https://www.alzheimersblog.org/.../difficult-behaviors.../ June 21: The Alzheimer’s Society shares that hygiene care will become more challenging as the disease progresses in the person living with dementia. One of their many tips is to keep toxic materials, like bathroom cleaners, in a locked cabinet. This is because the person may not understand labels as their disease progresses. Anything sharp, such as clippers and razors, should also be stored away. For more tips, check out the “Personal Care” PDF by the Alzheimer’s Society. Link for the PDF can be found below: https://alzheimer.ca/.../day-to-day-series_personal-care.pdf June 28: Hygiene tips from a longterm care facility worker: -Offer a shower to the person living with dementia first thing in the morning. It’s usually easier to perform hygiene earlier in the day, especially if the person sundowns. -Offer manicures as a way to clean and cut nails (unless diabetic) -Use activities, like family and friend visits, as a reason to get dressed and brush hair

The theme for May was "communication". Check out these communications tips below! May 3: To kick off this month, check out this article, "Why dementia and respect should not be separated" on Teepa Snow's "Positive Approach to Care" website by Dan Bulgarelli and Teffie Landmann “There are so many myths and misconceptions when it comes to dementia that most people, including many in the medical community, are unaware of the typical progressions of the various forms of dementia. The majority of the evaluation scales people use to describe the progression of dementia focus only on skills and abilities that are lost. They don’t acknowledge what a person is still able to do, only focusing on what the person can’t do.” Read the full article here: Read the article here. May 10: The Alzheimer’s Association shares changes you can expect to see in communication as the disease progresses. A few examples include: -Difficulty finding the right words -Using familiar words repeatedly -Describing familiar objects rather than calling them by name -Easily losing a train of thought Discover more changes and learn more about Communication on the Alzheimer’s Association’s website. Link below: https://www.alz.org/.../caregiving/daily-care/communications May 17: The National Institute on Aging shares tips to make communication easier as well as ways to encourage the person living with dementia to communicate with you. One way is to hold the person’s hand while you talk. https://www.nia.nih.gov/.../alzheimers-caregiving-changes... May 24: Be aware of your non-verbal cues. Speak calmly and keep your body language relaxed. Read more about aiding a conversation on the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health’s website. Link: https://ocfch.org/hand-in-hand/communicate-effectively/ May 31: Ask questions about art. This is a great way to engage in conversation because these questions can “prompt words, images and memories for the person.” Read more about art and communication here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20047540#dementia

Tips for Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers. These tips are posted every week on OFC's social media channels - Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Have a tip you'd like us to share? Email Katie. Tip Tuesday April 5, 2022 Set up a daily routine. Benefits to a daily routine: -stress reduction -sense of control -better sleep -maintain function -eating at same times during the day (can help with other health issues too) Tip Tuesday 4/12/22 Reminisce Look through photo albums, watch home videos, share stories, go on a scenic drive to a special place, make a favorite recipe, work on a special project - anything to stir up memories, give hope, and reinstate confidence about who they are and what they can do. Tip Tuesday 4/19/22 Exercise* Not only can exercise make the person living with dementia feel better, but it can give them purpose and help them build confidence as well. Gentle exercises, such as stretching and walking, will also help keep their bodies healthy. *Always consult with a doctor before starting any exercise program. Tip Tuesday 4/26/22 Encourage Socialization -attend day programs -see friends and family -use simple sentences -speak slowly and deliberately -ask one question at a time -reduce distractions, like the TV Socializing may help orient the person to time and place as well as reduce feelings of isolation and depression.

The theme of "Tip Tuesday" in March was "A loved one has just been diagnosed with dementia. What next?" Tip Tuesday posts can be found on OFC's social media outlets- Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin, every Tuesday. The theme changes each month. Tip Tuesday 3/1 Check out the Alzheimer's Association's resources for "Accepting the Diagnosis" to learn more about... the process of acceptance finding purpose getting support Learn more: https://www.alz.org/.../stages.../accepting_the_diagnosis Tip Tuesday 3/8 Check out Teepa Snow's video on "Phrases to Learn for Caregivers" Dementia care and training specialist Teepa Snow joins Senior Helpers to teach you important phrases to learn when caring for someone with Alzheimer's and dementia. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/KKejCymVS2Q Tip Tuesday 3/15 The National Institute on Aging shares tips on what to do after a dementia diagnosis. These tips have been compiled into a checklist of next steps to take, which can be found on their website (2 pages, PDF). Link to PDF: https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/next-steps-after-alzheimers-diagnosis.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2tCvP-6KEOMmUNm21xadtjHsUD0mjuHpWDJRcWHIQDnbAVN2a4t8gTN08 Tip Tuesday 3/22 Join a Support Group A support group will give you a place to listen to and share experiences, talk through ways of coping, learn about resources, and give you a support system. The Alzheimer's Association is one organization that offers a variety of Alzheimer's and dementia support groups. Learn more: https://www.alz.org/alzwa/helping_you/support_groups?fbclid=IwAR05M13H--zrpRYVvdKyZbcmk7uUiw9On4nHgZDBi3SR1RVJZure5mzGBAM Tip Tuesday 3/29 After a diagnosis, don't lose sight of the person. Remember to continue to treat them with dignity and respect. Focus on what they can still do and help them engage in things that can bring them happiness and joy. Learn more: https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/i-have-friend-or-family-member-who-lives-dementia/first-steps-families-after-diagnosis?fbclid=IwAR03Ps7qJdC2B_XVoW9FNNJ9za_zzVoEpP7ryoxVqEj8nD2_K4B-t2bINYc Follow Old Friends Club on social media to receive tips every week! Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Have a tip you'd like to share? Email Katie - katie@oldfriendsclub.org

"I would make a skeleton joke, but you wouldn't find it very humerus." Individuals with dementia may have difficulty recognizing objects or remembering the holiday, so it’s helpful to keep decorations festive and fun rather than scary and dark. That being said, there are so many fun and festive ways to celebrate the day! Here are a few of our ideas... Listen to themed music such as “The Monster Mash” and dance! Music sparks memories and dancing is just plain fun! Check out this video and dance along! Get crafty! Painting a pumpkin is sometimes easier to do than carving one. There will be less frustration and possibly even more creativity! Add feathers and googly eyes to make your pumpkin silly. Check out Vox's Why painting a pumpkin is better than carving one What's a trick without a treat? There are so many yummy snack ideas to make! Check out these delectable, spooky treats: Sweet and Salty Spiders Easy Ghost Halloween Cookies Witch's Brew Halloween Punch The tastes and smells are sure to bring back fond memories. Give'em pumpkin to talk about! Let's see your competitive side... why not try out some Halloween Trivia? Fun Halloween Trivia For All More Trivia Ideas Or try your hand at writing a Halloween poem or short story... (please share with us if you do! We'd love to read your work!) Check out "Twas the Night Before Halloween" for inspiration! Check out the Full Moon and sip on some hot cocoa! It’s the first Full Moon on Halloween since 1944 and is a Hunter’s Blue Moon! We hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween! Happy Halloween!

A few years ago, Tim and Sandy discovered Old Friends Club while looking for an appropriate care option for Sandy, who had been diagnosed with dementia. They initially thought that an in-home caregiver would be good, but then went on to check out the day-stay respite option that Old Friends Club had to offer. The first time they went to check out the Club, a fifteen-minute drive from their home, Tim wasn’t sure it was the right fit. The staff running the program and the other Members were welcoming, but Tim and Sandy just weren’t prepared for that step, yet. It can be hard to reach out for help, or admit that a disease is advancing. Sometimes a spouse is reluctant to relinquish what they believe is their sole responsibility. Yet these diseases are progressive, and the stress and isolation can take a toll on both partners. A few months went by, and they decided to try the club again. This time they knew it was a good fit. Sandy began to socialize and make new friends around engaging activities two days each week, and Tim was able to have some time so he could take care of himself, too. Sandy was involved in many activities including card games, art projects, word games, and singing. Volunteers would come to share the gift of music -- kids showing off their skills on the violin, and talented musicians who added to the variety, like bluegrass on the banjo or oldies on the guitar. The live music was always a favorite. Sandy had quite a bit to do there, and sometimes Tim would come in early to join in on the activities. Sandy always got a kick out of Tim’s participation, especially when he would join in for a round of bowling. The staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful, Tim said. “Maddie was so sweet to Sandy. I couldn’t believe it. She was a nice, nice young lady. Eliza and Jeff were also great with her.” Sandy attended Old Friends Club gatherings for two years. Tim said it was “time well spent. It really was.” It got her out two times a week and broke up their routine a bit. Tim also got a break. Being a caregiver is a challenging job in many ways and being able to have that respite option is necessary and important. To take care of someone else well, you must care for yourself first. The Club was also a nice springboard into the next step for Sandy, which was helpful as she transitioned into the adult family home where she currently resides. She had learned she could trust others to help her, and that Tim would still be there for her. Tim and Sandy will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary this year in November. They are very much in love, and Tim looks forward to visiting with Sandy every week. He absolutely loves her smile and making her laugh. Tim hopes to volunteer with the Club one day. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without the Old Friends Club,” he says, “It was a blessing for us.”

We’re so happy to have been featured on a news piece on KOMO 4 News this July (2019) with news anchor Molly Shen. If you missed it, you can find the link to the news piece below. It was fascinating to watch the story-gathering process as Molly and the KOMO 4 cameraman filmed and spoke to Karen Koenig, Executive Director of Old Friends Club, and one of our caregivers (Thanks Gordon!). Molly and her camera man spent close to 90 minutes with us at our Sammamish location filming both an art project and participating in the Rousing Bluegrass Sing-along, you may have heard about before in a prior blog (Volunteering: I wanted to practice my banjo and the experience ended up feeding my soul). This was such a great way to share our mission and we hope you’ll share this news story with your friends and family too. We've also posted it on our Facebook page where you can share it with your Facebook friends. Do you know a family who might benefit from joining Old Friends Club? Share this blog post, our OFC Facebook page, and our OFC website with them. They can contact us by phone or on our Old Friends Club Contact Us page. Search for frequently asked questions at our OFC FAQ page. Meet our Program Coordinators , checkout our the Available Jobs at OFC or Apply to be a Volunteer!

Summer is a common time of year for weddings, so in celebration of weddings and traditions, our Kirkland Club held a wedding dress making competition. The catch, make it in 3 minutes using toilette paper. As you can imagine, hilarity ensued. Looks like these faux-brides are second-guessing their design team’s wedding dresses…looks more like an extra in a Boris Karloff movie. 😊 The race against the clock was good fun and very active. It certainly raised both spirits and heartbeats per minute. Do you know a family who might benefit from joining Old Friends Club? Share this blog post, our OFC Facebook page, and our OFC website with them. They can contact us by phone or on our Old Friends Club Contact Us page. Search for frequently asked questions at our OFC FAQ page. Meet our Program Coordinators , checkout our the Available Jobs at OFC or Apply to be a Volunteer!

As part of L'Oréal's annual Volunteer Day 2019, some L'Oréal employees came to our program in Kirkland. Both our members and the volunteers had a great time! Thanks team L'Oréal for your generous time and thoughtfulness to be a part of our member's lives! There was lots of interaction, conversation, and laughter as the volunteers spent the entire day with our Kirkland Club. The L'Oréal volunteers enjoyed it so much, they plan to do more events like this with Old Friends Club in the future! We’re so happy and grateful to have shared our member’s day with the L'Oréal volunteers and we see this type of reaction often. Where volunteers come for an hour or a day and find themselves really enjoying working with our member’s. Being a part of the member's day and seeing the positive impact it has on members is both satisfying and fulfilling. Having the volunteers as part of any day program is also very much appreciate by both the staff and the members too. Our club members are engaged every day with the activities planned by our wonderful Program Coordinator staff members and assistance and a big help in this regard comes from volunteers. Whether its music, art, telling stories, or just spending time to talk and play games is a huge part of giving our members the engagement and interaction they deserve each day. We’re so glad Old Friends Club can be a part of our member’s lives and provide the same opportunity for volunteers too. We look forward to having the L'Oréal volunteers come back again in the future. If you know family members whose work groups are looking are a place to volunteer, or perhaps you or a neighbor would like to spend a few hours a week with one of our clubs. Contact us and let us know. Do you have some creative ideas or some special skills that you would like to share with our members? Consider volunteering with us and contact us today! Join in on the community and fun! Search for frequently asked questions at our OFC FAQ page.

Every 2nd Monday of the month is a day our members at Sammamish look forward to. It’s a special day because our friends at Fieldstone Memory Care of Issaquah graciously provide lunch on that day. It has become known as Pizza Monday! Our Sammamish members look forward to Pizza Monday every month! Lunch is an integral part of your unique Adult Day Programs and costs are covered through memberships and donations. Each location manages the lunches for the week, and we rely on staff and volunteers to help with planning, purchasing food, preparation, and delivery. Sometimes we even have members help with lunch preparation as a fun program activity. Many thanks to Fieldstone Memory Care of Issaquah for your support of our program, mission, and our local club members! Do you know a family who might benefit from joining Old Friends Club? Share this blog post, our OFC Facebook page, and our OFC website with them. They can contact us by phone or on our Old Friends Club Contact Us page. Search for frequently asked questions at our OFC FAQ page.

Anecdotally we’ve seen how music can perk up a member or even calm another. While each member may respond differently, more often than not, music has a positive effect on individuals. Music seems to stimulate movement, tapping of the foot, hand clapping, bouncing of the head to the beat of the music. On occasion, music can spark singing, dancing, and laughter. According to this article, a study indicates that music we have a connection to, lives in a part of the brain that does not get affected by Alzheimer’s. It’s no wonder music can have such a profound positive impact with members. Study: Memories of music cannot be lost to Alzheimer's and dementia https://bigthink.com/news/ever-get-the-tingles-from-listening-to-good-music-that-part-of-your-brain-will-never-get-lost-to-alzheimers Do you know a family who might benefit from joining Old Friends Club? Share this blog post, our OFC Facebook page, and our OFC website with them. They can contact us by phone or on our Old Friends Club Contact Us page. Search for frequently asked questions at our OFC FAQ page. Meet our Program Coordinators or checkout our the Available Jobs at OFC.