Our Colouring Activities for Customers with Dementia

We provide a vast range of activities for people living with dementia in our three wellbeing centres in North Tyneside.

They are located in:

• Wallsend
• North Shields
• Killingworth

It’s a great activity for people of all ages and abilities.

EveryDay Wellbeing provides varied daily activities for those living with dementia. Sometimes it can be hard to gauge which memories and abilities they have retained as they unfortunately progress through the disease.

We absolutely avoid putting them in a situation where they might feel that they have failed, become confused or distressed.

Our activity is also an excellent for people with dementia.

Colouring has long been considered to be a therapeutic activity, again for people of all ages, young and young at heart. Colouring is also known to reduce and relieve stress, and it improves hand-eye co-ordination. Our customers enjoy colouring in company and it sparks conversation as well as being calming and relaxing.

When introducing an activity like colouring, we take a few things into consideration. Some of our older customers have never learned how to relax in their younger years. They might have had a hard time dealing with the concept of even retiring, or with letting others do things for them.

Our choice of age-related materials

Before we get down to the activity of colouring, there are a couple of things we consider. The first one is the type of material being coloured. We don’t use children’s colouring books. Some customers may initially consider colouring to be patronising as it is.

Tools for the job at hand

The second are the actual tools used for colouring. We use a combination of colouring pencils and felt tipped markers. Some older customers consider wax crayons to be childish. Bright colours are essentials ‘tools of the trade’.

We regularly colour with our customers who are living with dementia

Intergenerational Activities

We find colouring is great for intergenerational activities. In fact, a customer that may not show any interest in colouring on their own may be more than willing to colour with younger people. We sit with them and colour while we all chat and relax. Often we find that we start off by colouring alone and they then join us.

Our non-pharmcalogical approach to dementia

Colouring like anything to do with the arts provides a non-pharmacalogical approach to dementia which promotes inclusion, can help to alleviate anxiety and confusion, enhance cognition and build confidence.

Our customers have an opportunity for creative self-expression whilst giving their carer the chance to spend quality time with their loved ones.

Our wellbeing day care & respite packages

To learn more about our weekly agenda within our three wellbeing centres give our team a call. We provide a free taster session to allow you and your loved ones to sample our services. We strive to meet the individual needs of families and can tailor a package or blend services to suit you.

Accessing our services

Our Customer Co-ordination Team can arrange a taster session and a benefit check for you to ensure you are in receipt of all of the benefits you are entitled to. Take a look at our customer reviews

Customer Co-ordination Team Tel: 0191 2877028 Option 2

Rowan Croft Wellbeing & Social Activity Centre was recently singled out for praise from local healthcare professionals.

Our three wellbeing centres have undergone a whole programme refresh in 2019. We’ve added in new activities to ensure that our customer’s varied needs are catered for.

Our centres in Wallsend, Killingworth and North Shields provide exercise snacking twice daily to maintain muscle mass, increase mobility and reduce the risk of falls. In addition customers can take advantage of mini wellbeing checks which have previously highlighted potential health issues and allowed early intervention from the GP.

On top of a range of social activities to ensure our customer’s remain stimulated and maintain their life long skills the greastest benefit is social inclusion so often missing in later life.

We regularly receive praise for the service and the delivery teams. This recent example was received from a local Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust occupational therapist.

I would like to provide you with some positive feedback from my visit this morning.

My patient had a taster session with you this morning as she was referred to me as being socially isolated, lacking motivation, low mood and basically my role was to engage her in meaningful activities.

I have looked into agencies and charities but due to her partial sight, early symptoms of dementia, low mood and poor mobility it has been very difficult to find a suitable place.

I would like to say that I have never seen her so happy as today, she developed relationships, she ate and drank well, she interacted with others, she sang!

All service users who attended today were happy and reactive – no one was asleep.

Wendy and Helen are amazing at their jobs. They are respectful, sympathetic, honest, warm, kind and happy. They obviously love their jobs and are excellent at it.

I think your staff are going to change my patient’s quality of life and I’d like you to thank them from me.

It was a delight to see her happy and smiling. I’ve informed her Daughter and she is absolutely thrilled.

I’m so pleased that she is going to be a regular at the wellbeing centre.

To book a taster session at one of our three centres why not give our Customer Service Team a call on

Tel: 0191 2877028

Older people living with Dementia horse around as miniature mare pays unexpected visit

Customers  including some living with Dementia were able to ‘horse around’ with a very special visitor to our  wellbeing centre at Cedar Grove when they were surprised by equine visitor Taz last week.

Our wellbeing centre, one of three in the North Tyneside, provides a vital service as a place for older people to socialise and stay physically and mentally active, as well as giving respite for their family carers.

And the visit of Taz, a 5-year-old, leopard-spotted, appaloosa mare, shows just how different EveryDay centres are, according to manager Michelle Clement

Centre Manager, Michelle Clement

Michelle said: “Having Taz visit was absolutely fantastic – you could see straight away the impact it had on our customers. They loved it especially those who have had experience of horses in their younger lives!

“We provide a vital service for older people, and ensure sure we give them a place to socialise and enjoy themselves – we are a world away from what you might consider traditional ‘day care’.

“Age UK North Tyneside and EveryDay are focused on ending loneliness for older people in North Tyneside, and our centres are a huge part of that. They also enable us to give respite to family carers, which is extremely important.

“We would encourage any older person who is keen to continue to enjoy life and make friends to come along and see what we do. Our centres really are very special places that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Taz’s visit happened as part of an initiative called Pets As Wellbeing, where animal ambassadors visit older people, including those living with Dementia, to help with stimulation, interaction and exercise.

It is part of a wider series of EveryDay programmes to keep older people active in body and mind.

EveryDay runs three wellbeing centres in North Tyneside – Cedar Grove in Wallsend, Rowan Croft in Killingworth, and Linskill Park in North Shields.

We provides a range of services at our centres, including podiatry, seated exercise classes, and pop-up music sessions.

EveryDay even offers mini wellbeing checks to keep an eye on customers’ health, something it says is completely unique to the private care sector.

Customer Audrey Pym, 93, from Wallsend, loves her visits to Cedar Grove.

She said: “It was a lovely idea to bring a horse in to see us. I love animals!

“The staff here are always trying to keep us entertained and doing interesting things. I love coming to Cedar Grove.”

For more information, or to book a free taster session at a wellbeing centre, call the Bradbury Centre in North Shields on 0191 2877028

Useful Links

https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/

Recent research suggests there is a link between higher levels of anger and ill health in older people.

In our Wellbeing centres, we offer a wide range of activities proven to have a positive impact on anger levels.

The Research

The American Psychological Association has concluded in a recent study that high levels of anger in older people is associated with inflammation. Whilst inflammation – the body’s reaction to perceived threats, such as infection – is generally a helpful and healthy bodily response, long-lasting inflammation can ultimately lead to chronic illnesses. These might include heart disease, arthritis and cancer.

Meaghan Barlow, lead author on the study, examined the reasons older people might experience anger;

“As most people age, they simply cannot do the activities they once did. They may experience the loss of a spouse or a decline in their physical mobility and they can become angry.

Higher anger levels can become especially pronounced in older men. So-called ‘irritable male syndrome’ arises from the common drop in testosterone levels that occurs as men age. Doctor Ridwan Shabsigh, head of the International Society of Men’s Health, explains;

“Patients with low testosterone tell me they feel less capable of concentration. And they feel less capable of tolerating the nuances of everyday life – from family, friends, colleagues and customers. Whatever you do, you have people around you, and you get irritated sometimes. The ability to tolerate or deal with it is reduced when the testosterone is low.”

How We Help

The NHS has a number of ideas and advice on how we can manage anger in our everyday lives. Many of their suggestions are included as standard in our wellbeing centres in Wallsend, Killingworth, and North Shields .

One suggestion is maintain a regular exercise routine, with clinical psychologist Isabel Clarke noting that ‘exercise as part of your daily life is a good way to get rid of irritation and anger’. In our wellbeing centres, we’re looking to keep older people physically engaged through ‘exercise snacking’. These short bursts of light exercise have been found to improve muscle mass, as well as mental wellbeing, and falls prevention.

Another NHS proposal is to engage with creative hobbies such as painting, musical instruments or singing, or craft activities. Seasonal crafts are a regular activity in our wellbeing centres, and always well received. Anger management expert Anna Martin states;

“There are many creative options to explore when looking for effective ways to channel your anger. Listening to soothing music, dancing to favourite tunes or painting all induce a relaxing effect on us.”

All of our wellbeing customers enjoy the chance to socialise with friends and staff given to them within the wellbeing centre setting. Regular socialisation is also recommended by NHS experts, and mental health charity Mind, as a way of managing anger;

“Talking to a trusted person who’s not connected to the situation, such as a friend, family member, counsellor or peer support group, can help manage an anger outburst.”

Two customers enjoying socialising at our wellbeing centre.

Researchers from Westminster and Essex universities have also established a link between gardening and anger management. They found that working in an allotment, for example, can have a positive effect on warding off depression, low self-esteem, and anger. Our wellbeing centres have landscaped and accessible gardens, enjoyed by our customers in nice weather.

As demonstrated by this emerging research, activities that allow us better control over our anger are integral to keeping healthy in later life. Such activities are offered not only through our wellbeing centres, but through our parent charity, Age UK North Tyneside.

For information on how you can secure a free half day trial in one of our wellbeing centres, please visit: https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/, or call 0191 287 7028

KalmaBaby goes viral

BBC Look North visited our Cedar Grove Wellbeing Centre to see our customer’s interaction with their regular KalmaBaby yoga sessions delivered by Sarah Lawless .

Baby Yoga

Kalma Baby offers baby yoga, toddler yoga, junior yoga and baby developmental massage classes. Their sessions make development fun with unique benefits for young bodies and minds. The benefit to our customers within the wellbeing and extra care settings is obvious.  Adults who experienced close intergenerational interaction are less prone to depression and have better physical health as they feel more active and productive.It prevents the isolation and loneliness of older adults.

10 Benefits to Intergenerational Relationships

Intergenerational bonding is good for all concerned, and also has many benefits starting from improving the immune system to enhancing social intelligence.

1. It provides an opportunity for both to learn new skills.
2. It gives the child and the older adult a sense of purpose.
3. Helps children to understand and later accept their own aging.
4. Engaging with children invigorates and energizes older adults.
5. It prevents the isolation and loneliness of older adults.
6. Intergenerational sharing helps in keeping family stories and history alive.
7. It is an aid in cognitive stimulation as well as broadening social circles especially when the youth introduce technology into the life of older adults.
8. It also improves mental health so that they can perform better on memory tests, and those with dementia also experience positive effects.
9. It reduces feelings of sadness as these are experiences they enjoy and look forward to.
10. It increases their self-worth and self-esteem along with improved performance.

Developing connections with a younger generation can help older adults feel a greater sense of fulfilment.

EveryDay Wellbeing Centres

With our Wellbeing Centre Services we aim to improve the quality of life of older people, especially those who may have limited mobility and social interaction due to various constraints. Our interactive programme keeps them active and engaged through physical, mental and social activities. We also provide additional intergenerational activities with regular Jo Jingles sessions which again offer music and movement classes for babies and toddlers. Customers can also take advantage of seated exercise , Tai Chi, Pets As Wellbeing (PAW), social and craft activities. The three wellbeing centres also offer hairdressing, podiatry and chiropody services.

Take a look at the BBC’s short Cedar Grove video here : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-tyne-45287770/wallsend-baby-yoga-class-brings-old-and-young-together

Our Wellbeing Centre offer is described for you  here : https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/

KalmaBaby information can be found here https://kalmababy.co.uk/northtyneside/

To learn more about our Wellbeing Centre offer contact us Tel 0191 2877028 or e mail enquiries@everydayuk.org

KalmaBaby Comes to EveryDay Wellbeing Centres

We’re really excited to announce that KalmaBaby classes are coming to Rowan Croft in Killingworth and Cedar Grove in Wallsend.

Baby yoga begins…with Kalma Baby within our Wellbeing Centres in North Tyneside

Kalma Baby offers the very best baby yoga, toddler yoga, junior yoga and baby developmental massage classes. Their sessions  ‘make development fun with unique benefits for young bodies and minds’. A beautiful world of therapies await your child and of course our own Wellbeing Centre customers who can interact with the groups.

Baby yoga to childrens yoga

In addition to their baby yoga classes, KalmaBaby also offers toddler yoga. Sessions are structured to focus on a different developmental theme each week, which incorporates music, song and sensory props. This is especially relevant as they follow the Early Years Foundation Stage and Special Educational Needs guidelines. Sessions are split age appropriately due to focus firmly on your child it ensures they reap the benefits from our wonderful therapies. Junior sessions empower and inspire confidence in your child. Yoga for children is becoming more popular as much as an everyday hobby it’s a way to help children become more comfortable and confident in their own bodies. As a result of a child who learns yoga, relaxation and mindfulness they develop essential skills for a lifetime of health of well-being. A structured program that introduces elements of baby yoga, they now offer sessions within our Wellbeing Centre settings at Rowan Croft in Killingworth and Cedar Grove in Wallsend.

Watch this space for baby massage inspired by baby yoga

Since launching their Developmental Massage classes KalmaBaby has been inspired by baby yoga classes. While parents get to bond with their child they consequently learn the art of communication through touch and therefore speak their babies’ language. What is especially relevant to the sessions of Massage KalmaBaby teaches is how to help aid against common infant ailments, strengthen and stimulate muscles and also relax your child. In addition massage sessions also have a unique twist in which KalmaBaby teaches developmental techniques, as a result they help with sitting and standing.

https://www.facebook.com/kalmababynorthtyneside/

https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/

https://kalmababy.co.uk/testimonials/

To learn more about KalmaBaby classes at our Wellbeing Centres contact :

Sarah Lawless at KalmaBaby North Tyneside

e mail: sarah@northtyneside.kalmababy.co.uk

Telephone: 07710970589.