Activities treatment schedule with Caregivers:

The 30-minute activity sessions consist of a regular one-to-one interaction with the carer / nurse with the aim of stimulating interest in the environment through touch, verbal communication and social contact. Activities take place with the patient and nurse, family member, sitting in a quiet area, preferably separate from the main environment.

Activities are:
1. Listening to the radio or a music tape
2. Reading or looking at newspaper/magazine/ book/pictures/photographs
3. Playing with cards/draughts/dominoes/jigsaws
4. Writing/drawing
5. Conversing with, talking to the patient
6. Stimulation of smell, eg peeling oranges
7. Eating and drinking, encouraging patient participation
8. Self-care, eg combing hair, doing nails
9. Looking out of the window
10. Encouraging patient to touch and feel, eg rummage bag

Treatment approaches include:

Balance therapy:
This consists of specific exercises to improve balance. These exercises can involve simple tasks like standing on one leg or standing with the feet close together. Assistive devices may be provided to improve safety. Supervised by carer / nurse to assist with balance therapy enables the patient to improve gradually, and the dependence on assistive devices is gradually reduced.

Therapeutic exercise:
Brisk walking is an example of exercises that can improve mobility, muscle tone and blood circulation. The nurse /carer will supervise the patient at all times. Stretching exercises help to minimise muscle tightness.

Massage therapy:
This form of treatment by one of our nurses / carers is primarily aimed at calming the patient and reducing stress level.Patients understandably experience a degree of frustration. Emotions can run high. Verbally calming the patient is useful, but the effect of touch and massage therapy is extremely useful.

Assistance with activities of daily living:
In severe cases, the loss of independence is so significant that a patient cannot bathe or use the bathroom independently. Nursing Services of the North Carers are able to help patients learn to manage these tasks with a combination of exercises and assistive devices.

The benefits of physiotherapy include: