Please feel free to look through the album. If you have a picture you would like to share with others, send us an e-mail.
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St. Margaret's in Polmont, Scotland – 13 viewsSince our visit in Spring of 2008, the tea parties continue to brighten spirits and celebrate special moments!
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Dorothy Dome..an Angel – 20 viewsWe met Dorothy Dome YEARS ago, which makes it awful not to have posted her picture in our album sooner. She is like family to us in Kansas City and we are fortunate to learn from her stories and wise insights.
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Tap Dancin' Ladies – 23 viewsMary and Dorothy (right) show Rachel how it's done...tap dancing in the kitchen!
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Venice, FL – 21 viewsRoger and Shirley Blackmore are the grandparents of Tim Kail (a member of The Edcon Group) -- both recently (2008) moved into a delightful new home where all their care needs will be met as they age. During a recent visit, Rachel got the full tour!
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A Mother/Son moment in Ayr, Scotland – 23 viewsJohn (right) stopped by Cumnor Hall (during our on-site visit) to learn more about our work and spend time with his mother who has dementia. A wonderful woman raised a wonderful man.
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Creative Tiny Journals – 27 viewsA cool idea we picked up at The Bield in Scotland -- take a piece of paper, fold it into tiny squares and cut (or tear) along some of the lines...keeping it all still connected as one piece of paper. Decorate or design the squares however you'd like and then fold it up into a tiny book!
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Classic Games – 28 viewsWhen I saw this (at The Elms in Edinburgh, Scotland) I felt in touch with my inner child. If I owned this large version of Connect Four, I'm sure I'd never leave the house!
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Great Placemat Idea – 27 viewsAlso in Edinburgh we noticed this personalized placemat -- perfect for dining or tea parties. Couldn't imagine a better conversation starter...or window into past memories!
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The Wee Bell in Polmont, Scotland – 30 viewsOne of the defining moments for us in 2008 was when Peggy so cheerfully interacted with "The Wee Bell" by making its sound...and laughing hysterically.
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Drumming in Polmont, Scotland! – 36 viewsSome elders hold our instruments and politely go along with our crazy ideas. This woman, however, took to drumming like a duck to water. Without her rhythm setting, our drum circle would have been a mess!
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Dancing in Polmont, Scotland! – 32 viewsStaff and elders gathered in a small room for a glorious tea party following a bean bag toss. Spirits were so high, people were so happy, that everyone launched into the song, LOCH LOMOND. You couldn't keep the dancers down!
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Entertainers from the States – 32 viewsIn Mooroolbark, Australia, Tim and Rachel performed I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles at Caladenia Day Centre (an adult day centre). The amateur entertainment went over well!
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The Chase – 29 viewsThe Golden Retriever, Mags, chased the bubbles all around our circle -- with determination and excitement! Elders didn't want the song to end, so played it five times through.
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Teamwork – 28 viewsInitially, this delightful man from Washington didn't want to participate in our project. After just a few moments of watching others enjoy the action, though, he jumped in and became our master cutter!
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Focus and Determination – 28 viewsWe have seen many instances where elders are no longer encouraged to use scissors and cut out shapes. What we notice, though, is that many women who were accustomed to quilting and making clothing absolutely love to reconnect with familiar tools.
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Sandwich Hug – 27 viewsThere's nothing like feeling loved.
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Superb Quote...and Moment – 32 views"What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" -- The elder on the right personally chose this quote for her poster.
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Sharing a Mid-Project Laugh – 32 viewsThis gentleman (from WA) was intensely focused on his creative project using scissors and construction paper...but seemed to enjoy sharing wisdom and advice at the same time.
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Rhythm Circle in Sunnyside, WA – 28 viewsThe woman pictured playing the djembe drum on the right also graced us with her harmonica skills. She played one hymn after another...always followed by a rousing round of applause!
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Cinderella Smiles! – 28 viewsThe reversible doll seen here is actually Cinderella --in one direction she wears her ball gown and in the other direction she has on her scraps as a servant. The instant smiles she triggers are fabulous!
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Tatouage Feeds the Imagination – 28 viewsTatouage is a great, easy way to transform a room instantly! One woman with dementia pointed to this design (in Sunnyside, WA) and began to tell us all about how she used to walk down that path and buy souvenirs at the market around the corner. Without the image she might not have visited such a happy memory.
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Easy Access Garden – 28 viewsWhen we visited Sienna Boothman in Chilliwack, British Columbia (Canada), the care community there had designed a wonderful garden with a wheelchair accessible horticultural area.
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Quilts – 35 viewsWe have found quilts to be incredible for tactile stimulation with those who have dementia. Scraps, blankets, throws, pillows...all can be used to engage.
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Monkey'in Around (Scotland) – 46 viewsApril 2008 - Folkmanis crafts wonderful puppets...but the monkey takes the prize for cute, cuddly and super SOFT!
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The World's Smallest Mask – 52 viewsApril 2008 - It is a remarkable experience to laugh hard with someone who has dementia...and very little language. This tiny red nose will forever be a part of our "props" bag -- a simple tool for engaging folks in verbal and nonverbal communication.
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Tea Party - Elderslie, Scotland – 52 viewsApril 2008 - Barry (an amazing carer at Adams House) truly engaged and even entertained elders. We noticed during the bean bag toss that he was a constant target - a true sign of how much he is loved!
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Tea Party - Elderslie, Scotland – 54 viewsApril 2008 - We had the most delightful tea party following our bean bag toss...many stories and special moments...not to mention good tastin' treats!
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Bean Bag Fun in Scotland – 54 viewsApril 2008 - We had a stellar experience spending time with the elders and staff of Adams House in Elderslie, Scotland. Bean bags were a huge hit!
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Fiji - Ukelele Concert – 95 viewsJuly 2005- Here you can see the joy and happiness up close. The man in his wheelchair only spoke Fijian, so Tim (Rachel Kail's husband) followed right along while Lina (Rachel's sister-in-law) and the baby, Watson, applauded! We never caught his name, but we know this gentleman had a wonderful day!
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Fiji - Ukelele – 89 viewsJuly 2005- Perhaps the highlight of the trip took place at Samabula Old People's Home in Suva, Fiji. A resident with his Ukelele played for an audience of FANS... this instant party brought joy into all our lives immediately!
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Hillcrest Manor, Sunnyside, Washington – 100 viewsAlong with the bronze statue, you will find a new display. The Toutage Design of the tree, bird bath, grass, flowers, cat, birds, and the little brown mouse coming out of the broken flower pot under tree were all put on the wall by rubbing the design with a "tongue depressor". Hillcrest's maintenance man added the white picket fence. The design was put up by staff, families, consultants, and even state surveyors! IT HAS BEEN A BLAST. The elders are driving the train...they let us know what picture to put where. What else would you expect?!?!?
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Hillcrest Manor, Sunnyside, Washington – 96 viewsIn Sunnyside, Washington, Hillcrest Manor has taken the advice of the elders. This bronze statue was purchased from Florida and shipped all the way to the west coast! The statue WITH the newly decorated wall has produced MANY smiles.
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Vera and Friend – 105 viewsJune 13, 2005 - Vera and her friend take a stroll together in Juneau, Alaska.
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Marilyn shows me how! – 88 viewsJune 17, 2005- In Sitka, Alaska, Marilyn lives and entertains folks at the Sitka Pioneers' Home. Rachel and Marilyn sat down and played the duet, chopsticks! Couldn't meet a sweeter, more talented woman!
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Bean Bags – 102 viewsThese are bean bags that have been sent to us from our friend, Chloe, in California. She has been very supportive and interested in the use of bean bags for exercise with elders.
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The Three Muskateers – 105 viewsMel, Bill and Mildred enjoy a special summer evening. Just after dinner we often circled our lawn chairs and had a pow-wow!
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Moving In Day! – 105 viewsOn the day Mom moved, Annie was the first to come for a visit. It was a "fast friendship" that brough much joy to both of these dear ladies.
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Dancin' – 129 viewsOn Dorothy's birthday we decided to dance. We didn't have music on... we just had each other. As you can see, her birthday was a blast!
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