MAGIC MOMENTS

1. MAGIC MOMENTS TR Program For Developmental Disabilities & Alzheimer’s Diseases “There is still a person in there.”

2. Magic Moments Innovative Program of The Year 2004 New York Association of Homes and Services for Aging NYAHSA

3. Magic Moments: An Introduction • There is something enchanting about the Magic Moment’s program. • Students with “special needs” are helping geriatric adults who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. • This is a place where people with disabilities, both old and young, accept each other for who they are in a relaxed atmosphere without passing judgment.

4. Key Words Breaking Down Barriers Collaboration Community Service Dignity Interdisciplinary Team Work Outreach

5. Magic Moments—McSweeney School Partnership • A community partnership between an Occupational Training Center & a long Term care facility. • The McSweeney OTC , Public School 721X in N.Y., prepares educationally challenged teens with mild mental retardation for the world of work.

6. The Magic Begins • To improve the quality of life for residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. • To provide developmentally disabled students with an opportunity to develop leadership skills and build self-confidence.

7. The Magic Begins • A small group of students participated in art activities with residents living on an Alzheimer’s unit. • Activities were led by recreation staff.

8. The Magic Begins • We observed magic between the residents and the students. • Students took on a leadership role within the group under the direction of their teacher.

9. The Magic Begins • The students gently encouraged residents to participate fully in activities. • The students’ enthusiasm helped the residents become excited and more involved in each session.

10. The Magic Begins • Residents responded to the loving touch of these young people. • The students gained more confidence when working with seniors.

11. Inspiration • In the meantime, members of the Nursing Staff’s Lounge Interaction Committee went on a day trip to another long term care facility. • Members came back inspired to enhance services for the Alzheimer’s unit.

12. Inspiration • The Nursing Department contacted Therapeutic Recreation about developing a special program for residents with Alzheimer’s type dementia. • The program would move the residents off their unit to a Common and provide a greater variety of activities.

13. Inspiration • The program was designed to foster appropriate social functioning of residents with Alzheimer’s type disease. • Program stations would be set up in the Community Hall. • Nursing staff and recreation staff would be assigned to facilitate the process.

14. Inspiration • To further enhance the initiative, students who had participated in the original unit program were integrated into the new program. • Additional students are rotated into what now had become the Magic Moments program. • The program includes five to eight students who assist recreation therapists and nursing staff twice weekly.

15. The Process • The students’ role in the program includes setting up the room with games such as adaptive bowling, beanbag toss and art. • The students model their interactions after the adults. Working as a team with the recreation and nursing staff, students co-lead activities, encourage residents to participate and serve refreshments.

16. The Process • During each session, students help residents paint pictures, lead exercises or sit down for quiet, one-to-one conversations.

17. Activities that Promote the Magic • Art –creative expression, sense of accomplishment, reduces anxiety and disruptive behavior • Music-tranquility, elevates mood, feelings of well being, relieves pain • Active games-reduce anxiety, promotesocialization • All these activities promote autonomy.

18. Activities that Promote the Magic • Moving the program from the unit to the Community Hall opened up the program and allowed nursing staff, recreation staff and the students to work together as a team in an open area where there are enough “eyes ” to allow for a wide range of resident activities.

19. Innovation • The Magic Moments program is original in that it blends two groups of people who are often marginalized or “invisible”. • Special needs young adults and elderly people with mid-to-end stage Alzheimer’s-type disease. • The Home took a bold step in bringing these two groups together and, in effect, putting them in the spotlight.

20. Benefits of Working with Developmentally Disabled Students • Developmentally disabled students integrated into Magic Moments as leaders • Non-judgmental reassurance for residents • Re-channels problem behaviors into socially acceptable directions • Students offer praise & humor

21. Positive Outcomes • The Magic Moments program is an inspiration to everyone at the Home. • School staff who have visited Magic Moments have commented on the growth of the students.

22. Positive Outcomes For Residents • Clinical staff has observed a decrease in agitation and wandering, and an increase in attention span and sensory-motor function. • With the change in environment, residents are more interactive and have a decreased level of anxiety.

23. Summary • Magic Moments promotes and defends the dignity of residents and students. • Residents are receiving individual and personal attention. • The students are learning and growing in a supportive, structured environment. • Staff creativity is enhanced. • Fosters interaction with other departments.

24. Afterthought: Gleeful laughter is often heard during the program. This laughter permeates the building and it is surely a sign of a successful program.

25. Credits • Written by: Aileen Jones Charles Sourby