Buddies4Elders
Our Work
For our group effort, we want to bring new experiences but understand that the elderly can not do most activities due to health reasons. In order to try to reach out to most of the different categorized groups that would not be one on one, we made specialized activities to cater to each group. We categorized the groups into the following descriptors in order to decide on the activities.
Arts and Crafts
The first group tackles entertaining those with dementia, on set Alzheimer. For this group, we chose arts and crafts because the majority of the tenants still have their motor function but would not be able to retain rules for a specific activity nor would they be able to retain their memory of a play, movie, or conversation. So we chose something that is an incomplete task that would drive the participant to continue.
Mobile Activites
For the third group we were with elders that aren't able to use their knowledge or minds very well. They can comprehend things but not as much as you would want. So we tried entertaining them as much as we can by playing ring toss with them, bowling, etc. It feels great making them smile and showing them that their are people that do care they're there and are willing to go out of their way to visit them and keep them company.
Boardgames
The second group was classified by the nursing home as those living in the ALF (Assisted Living Facility). These people are mentally alert and able to pay attention but are just debilitated. Due to this, they are unable to do activities that require a lot of motion but can make simple movements such as moving pieces if not a long distance, writing things, or talking to one another. To interact with them we chose the following activity that we could teach and leave behind for them to continue to enjoy.
