Strategies for... Flashcards
Strategy/explanation/benefits for enabling communication?
• Use language tools, such as cue cards and signage, around the facility or home. This can assist in
orienting individuals, support communication for CALD communities and help people living with
dementia who are experiencing verbal communication difficulties.
• Reading groups, where staff or volunteers read to and with individuals. Reading together is a nice
way to socialise, reminisce and practice verbal communication.
• Singing familiar songs, often from the “old days” or singalongs with radio/TV/CDs, is a nice way to
reminisce and bring a sense of familiarity for individuals.
• Playing games, such as board games, cards or bingo, is an enjoyable way to socialise, engage in a
familiar activity and feel a sense of success at winning.
• Reminiscence groups, where individuals sit and chat with staff, volunteers and one another is a
good form of socialising, valuing each individual’s reality and memories and feeling enjoyment
through story telling.
Strategy/explanation/benefits for enabling personal hygiene, dressing and grooming?
Prompting the individual, by breaking the task into smaller parts, promotes independence and can
encourage self-esteem through a sense of achievement.
• Sensory experiences connected to self-care, such as a relaxation bath, aromatherapy, gentle
massage or a foot spa is an enjoyable, relaxing way to take a calm break as well as conduct selfcare tasks.
• Encourage making choices in the daily routine to promote independence, self-esteem and
success. For example, for individuals requiring assisting in dressing, offer the choice between two
skirts or two jumpers or outfits, if possible.
• Visits to/from service providers,such as the hairdresser, nail salon or other health practitioners,
can encourage independence, self-esteem, a sense of routine and fulfilment of one’s needs.
Strategy/explanation/benefits for enabling successful toileting and continence?
• Toileting programs that schedule regular toileting can avoid episodes of incontinence. This is
positive for hygiene, social acceptability, self-esteem and skin care.
• Signage on toilet doors can both orient and remind individuals. This is a good approach to
support independence and motivation.
• Similarly, gently prompting individuals about toileting needs encourages independence and selfesteem.
Strategy/explanation/benefits for enabling eating and drinking?
• Respecting likes and dislikes of each individual promotes respect, enjoymentwith food and
autonomy. Menu choices enable individuals to select their preferences.
• Cultural and religious needs must be met to ensure individualised care respect everyone’s needs,
provide familiar foods and ensure adequate food intake. Menu choices, cultural food days and
inviting relatives to bring foods (if approved) can achieve this.
• Prompting individuals to make choices from menus encourages independence, self-esteem and
facilitates interaction and communication.
• Special equipment (adaptive utensils) can be used to support independent eating and drinking.
This is useful in promoting independence and self-esteem.
Strategy/explanation/benefits for enabling safe moving and transferring?
• Physical exercise is important for overall health and wellbeing, self-esteem in one’s abilities and
socialisation. Different forms of physical activity should be on offer and individuals encouraged
but not forced to participate; physical activity can be incorporated into leisure time (e.g. Tai Chi)
and even just taking a walk with a client.
• Use aides i.e. rails and walking frames, and have safe areas inside and outside, for walking. This
ensures individuals can move as independently as possible, reduces risk and encourages
socialisation.
Strategy/explanation/benefits for meeting spiritual needs?
• Outings to places of worship have the benefit of engaging in the community as well as enabling
individuals’ spiritual needs. Understanding differences, respecting clients and promoting
enjoyable activities is important.
• Having spiritual leaders visit facilities also supports individuals’ spirituality, whilst also providing
an opportunity for socialisation. A private space should be provided and clients reminded of the
visit.
• Religious icons being displayed in individuals’ rooms should be respected in order to value
individuals and fulfil their spiritual needs.
• Prayer rooms should be provided and adequately signed. Signage helps orientation, whilst the
ability to pray is important for fulfilling spiritual needs and encouraging independence. Group
prayer times could be organised for socialisation
Strategy/explanation/benefits for enabling social and leisure activities?
• Provide a varied activity program that caters to different needs, preferences, skills and abilities.
Short activities that are repeated often can make them easier to remember and to include in an
individual’s routine. Varied activities are important for self-esteem, socialisation and general
pleasure.
• By ensuring success in activities, they are more likely to foster self-esteem and prevent
disappointment. Target activities towards the skills that individuals currently have.
• Provide socialisation opportunities by choosing activities than can be done in partners or groups
and try ensuring people with similar or complimentary skills and preferences are grouped. This is
good for communication skills and socialisation.
