Activities

Singing and music are daily activities at Circle Center. Both activity rooms have been equipped with separate sound systems through which we can play music and recordings.  We have frequent volunteer guest performers in addition to our very own music therapist. We provide group therapy sessions and many one on one to help each participant recall their fond memories of music.

Scientific findings link active music making to measurable improvements in human well-being, especially in older adults. Loneliness, stress, depression and even the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease have been shown to respond to music, and some studies have even linked music making to better functioning of the immune system.  Singing is a secure way of being together, inviting each participant to take part. Singing is also a viable source of stimulation and interaction, an alternate method of communication, which reduces agitation and promotes engagement in an activity and interaction with another human being. It increases the blood flow and releases muscle tension.

And it livens up the Center!

Older adults with dementia occasionally experience depression and withdrawal. We strive to ensure that each participant is relaxed and engaged.

“The MSE is a sensory approach. It is a controlled environment by lighting, noise levels, privacy, and must use client centered approaches and preferences to enter into a journey of shared intimacy and learning. The MSE must be a neutral to positive experience, only pleasure and joy presented, no negative associations, no stressful conditions, no setting off survival mechanisms. This is an individual approach; each person is different and that difference must honored in order to help them to help themselves” (L. Messbauer). The program runs for 30 minute intervals and scheduled participants attend once a week at their designated time slot.  During this time participants engage in various activities:

• Observing a lighted bubble tube
• Observing the variety of images projected by the Optikinetics 250 projector
• Observing the mirror ball
• Listening to instrumental music
• Using an interactive controller to change colors or speed of the bubble tube
• Interacting with fiber optics, oggz, sensory tactile set, and musical instruments

These activities are presented in a particular way to ensure effectiveness.  By participating in these activities, the participants have a chance change arousal level, anxiety, stress, depression, agitated and/or aggressive behaviors, sleep disturbances, and increase communication, self-feeding, balance, head ROM, maintain and increase control, and empowerment. “The goal is to initiate the relaxation process to reduce stress/anxiety for individuals with arousal levels either too high or too low, that have difficulty with self-regulation for self-control” (L. Messbauer).

Lights, patterns and shapes float past on the walls and ceiling; bubbles in bubble tubes change color; relaxing music plays round the room.

Benefits of a Multi-Sensory Room:

• Reduced tension
• Improvement in mood and behavior
• Increased concentration
• Improved responsiveness
• Enhanced communication
• Improved sensory skills
• Improved eye-hand coordination
• Relaxation in friendly stress free environment.

Colored lights dance on the walls. Gentle sounds play in the background. Wonderful scents float in the air. Everything is designed to be soothing and stimulating but not overwhelming. Beautiful and fascinating to watch, sound and light walls paint an ever-changing light picture in harmony with the changing pitch and timbre of a variety of soothing music.  The room is warm, the chair is comfortable and you’re surrounded by softness and calm.

Multi-Sensory Environments addresses both gross-motor competencies and emotional needs, with the goal to move each person toward the highest possible level of functioning. The activities help promote positive changes in behavior and soothe the stresses of everyday living. The program is designed to help a person who is idle or under stimulated become more interested in doing things, and to decrease problematic behaviors in someone who is over stimulated.

The Memory Lane Program is a smaller group, Montessori based program where there is a daily roster of 10 identified participants of attendance, leaving room for others on an as needed basis. The maximum number of participants for this program is 12. Due to the smaller, more intimate environment, participants receive more 1:1 attention to encourage engagement in specialty activities offered.

The program is from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Participants engage in a wide range of Montessori based activities throughout the day and enjoy all meals while in Memory Lane. Activities include, but are not limited to, reminiscing programs, cooking group, art group, a variety of music programing including music therapy twice a week, trivia, reading/storytelling programing, and hands on Montessori activities.

Developed in the early 20th century, the Montessori Method of teaching holds that when you’re working with individuals, you must consider their needs and what they are capable of. What do they like to do? What are they able to do? We put an emphasis on the use of abilities and remaining capacities with the individualized activities provided and offer choices. The Montessori program sets up the participants for success in each activity and the smaller environment helps to eliminate outside distraction.

In addition to the Memory Lane Program, there are also set activity times for specific participants that are listed on the “Activity Schedule” to attend Monday-Friday, 11:00 am and 3:00 pm times, which are not a part of the ML program. They engage in a variety of activities including trivia, reminiscing, Montessori, and reading and/or musical activities, per the written schedule. This program allows for increase arousal through conversations and increase stimulation for the participants who are part of the ML program, creating a small change in their environment.