A Day in our Sensitive Care Unit

A Day on our Sensitive Care Unit

This unit cares for the person with dementia, who requires special approaches and environment. The atmosphere we strive for is natural, warm and light-hearted. We, at Inglewood, believe that each individual is unique, therefore coming to us with a set of unique skills, abilities, and interests.

Morning commences with the breakfast meal delivery at 8:15 AM. Some residents will already be up and dressed and ready for this, while others will present themselves in an assortment of nightdress. Still others will continue sleeping into mid-morning receiving breakfast in bed if they prefer. Once the morning meal is over, some will be assisted with a bath or shower and will eventually appear in their designated lounges, only to often fall back into slumber, having expended all that energy and effort in getting up for the day!

Mid-morning the recreation therapist will wend her way throughout the halls of the unit softly but cheerfully sending morning greetings — "good morning, hello again, and my, don’t you look wonderful today!" As she travels, she gathers the walkers and wheelchair riders, welcoming them to join her in one of the dining lounges for the morning's scheduled programs.

At the beginning of the week, after two days of absence, the program "News and Views" (newspaper reading and discussion) is good to commence with as the reality validation — what date, day of the week, the month, the year, the weather, the season. This assists the resident as to where he is in time and space. It is also a time for the gentle reintroduction as to who the recreation therapist is and what their purpose is in the resident's world. From the discussions around current events, many residents relate to his/her past and interests.

Other morning programs may include social games (familiar card or board games) which encourage active participation, socialization, and cognitive input; exercises or other active games, helping hands or baking also address physical well-being and personal satisfaction.

At 12:00 PM lunch is served and the search commences for those residents prone to be absent from their respective dining lounges. Once all are present, a good meal is served. Second helpings for the bigger appetites are also granted!

The afternoon programs are generally considered social in nature as the ice has been broken in the morning. Friendships, contacts and a general ambiance of comfortable familiarity prevails. Sensitive Care Unit residents are encouraged to join in on sing-a-longs, entertainment features, travel games, and bus lunch-outings both on and off the units. Residents' families and staff are always welcome to participate in these programs and they do make a pleasant contribution.

[disclaimer]

[webmaster]

[feedback]

[advertising policy]

[privacy]

[about us]

Revised: December 30, 2007 .