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Staff Testimonial
2
Adult Day Care Participants
Exercise Their Brains Hands of Grace Adult
Day Centers
104 Monroe Street
Delta, OH 45315 Dear Barbara Brock, Thanks
you for your wonderful Communication Program
material. We use one of the Communication
Program books about every week at our center in
Fulton County, OH. The Reality Comprehension
Clock Test (RCCT) gives us a quick and easy way
to understand a new participant’s ability and
functioning. This allows me to offer brain
stimulating activities at their level and to not
have unreasonable expectations. It can be so
difficult to find programming for folks with
dementia. We have been able to involve
participants in the Communication Programs who
otherwise would sit on the “sidelines.” One
particular lady with moderate dementia is also
very hard of hearing and seems disinterested in
much of what we do, but when it comes time to
draw (one of Communication Program’s brain
stimulating exercises) she’s the first one to
finish her drawing! Another participant,
who everyone thought was a volunteer because of
her verbal skills, is unable to even complete
the simplest drawing and proceeds to sketch a
series of circles or other form of
perseveration. I use the results to
show the employees/volunteers so they know why
she needs extra assistance. The
reminiscing (brain stimulating exercise) is fun
for everyone and we always learn something new.
We work with many volunteers and the
Communication Program books are set up so that a
volunteer can very easily step in and assist
with the brain exercises. Not a lot of
time needs to be spent preparing and training.
We use the “theme” of the Communication Program
through out the day, e.g. decorations on the
tables, music, movie and maybe snacks….depending
on the programs theme for that week. Some of
the people who attend our center have physical
disabilities but not dementia. Those folks
are still able to be involved with the
Communication Programs. I tell them they
are “exercising” their brains….kind of
like brain jogging! Some of them help by
cutting out shapes for the puzzles used in the
socialization projects or encourage someone who
is new to try. We again thank you for your
very helpful material,
The staff from Hand of Grace Adult Day Center
Sincerely,
Lynn Buchele, ADC Director
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