“Touch the Spirit”Activities honoring the spirit in dementia care

Kay Kallander, Paul JepsonDavid Troxel

American Baptist Homes of West (ABHOW)

ABHOW

• 62 years old

• Based in Northern California with 36 CCRCs and Affordable Housing Communities in: – California– Arizona– Washington– Nevada

Accredited Program

• CARF-CCAC Accreditation

– ABHOW’s Groves were the first multi-site organization to be accredited for dementia care

Touch the Spirit

Our signature activity program designed to incorporate spiritual care at its best throughout our memory care programs.

Religion and Spirituality

• Religion can be seen through practices, traditions, personal experiences, rites and rituals

• Spirituality can be seen in the pursuit of a universal understanding of truth

Religion and Spirituality

• For residents with dementia, the important truth is to allow for the experience to be personally meaningful.

• Where is joy…love…satisfaction?

• “Touch the Spirit”

Love of Nature

• Walking out of doors• Bird-watching• Gardening• Enjoying books on

national parks

• Meditation• Reflection and

remembrance• Talking about

meaningful subjects• Stretching, Yoga and

Tai chi

Love of Peace and Reflection

Love of Animals

Sophie the St. Bernard

and resident

• Relationships• Affection• Touch• Hugs• Non verbal moments

Love of People

• Volunteering as part of the community

• Helping others• Intergenerational

projects

Love of Community

Celebrating the Arts

– Daphne Gormley

Santa Barbara, CA

Love of Personal Creativity

• Membership in a faith community

• Prayer• Religious music• Traditions and

customs

Artist: Daphne Gormley

Love of Faith

Love of Relationships

– The Two Sisters

Pablo Picasso

Touch the Spirit

• Provides meaningful experiences that touch the spirit of each individual person….

I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.

Maya Angelou

• Kay Kallander, Senior Vice-President for Strategic Planning kkallander@abhow.com

• Paul Jepson Asst. Vice President for Care Services pjepson@abhow.com

• David Troxel, Consultant bestfriendsdavid@aol.com

Contact

www.abhow.com