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CELEBRATING AND REMINISCEING TRADITIONAL OCCASIONS WITH PWD , A COGNETIVE AND PHYSICAL REHABLITATION EXPERIENCE.
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CELEBRATING AND REMINISCEINGTRADITIONAL OCCASIONS WITH PWD, A COGNETIVE AND PHYSICAL REHABLITATION EXPERIENCE
Iran Alzheimer’s Association’s mission is to raise pwd’s quality of life. It established a day centre which renders cognitive and physical rehabilitation by a professional team. Studies show that rehabilitation addresses the patient’s practical, sensory, cognitive, psychological and social needs. Evidence show that the activities such as reminiscing has positive effect on pwd’s moods and behaviour which raises their quality of life. Bearing this in mind, we planned a project engaging pwd in reminiscing the preparation of New Year’s traditions. • .
What is nowruz? • In Persian calendar, Nowruzis the New Year which is the celebration of the earth’s rebirth. The year changes at the vernal equinox, being 20-21 March. • Nowruzis also observed in many countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan,Turkmenistan, Chechnya and Turkey. • Nowruz traditions include spring cleaning,bonfire festival, HajiFirooz, the 13th day picnic and the setting of Haft seen table. Haft seen means seven “S’s”.
Sevenitems starting with the letter “S” are placed on the table each representing a meaning for continuation of life in the New Year. Holy book, mirror, candles, gold fish, flowers and decorated eggs are also added on the table.(2)
The seven “S’s” include: • Senjed (Sea-buckthorn) represents wisdom • Seeb (apple) represents health • Sabzeh (wheat sprouts) represents joy
Samanoo (wheat germ pudding) represents power Seer (garlic) represents contentSerkeh (vinegar) represents hardshipSomac represents patience
Brief accounts of activities, objectives and methods with the inclusion of photographs are demonstrated below:
Project: preparing Haft Seen table items by PWD in IAA’s Day Center 1 month before the event
First week’s activityProvision of earthenware dishes for growing grains (sabzeh) and decorating Haft Seen table. • Objectives: • Strengthening fine motor skills • Coordination of hand and eye • Improving mood and reduce agitation • Stimulate sensory functions (touch and smell) • Steps: • Person centred approach focusing on individual skills was used. • Clients were helped to engrave their names on the earthenware dishes. • The prepared dishes were fired and left aside to be painted.
Second week’s activity: A:Painting and decorating earthenware dishes and eggs • Objectives: • Recognize and recall colours • Strengthen the coordination of hand and eye • Strengthen fine motor skills • Stimulate sense of touch by using finger paint
Steps: Pwd were divided into two groups First group of pwd who were able to hold the brush and paint. • They painted their dishes • Colouring eggs, Cutting ribbons, Gluing glitter, sequins andDecorating artificial flowers
Second group of pwd whose movementswere impaired used the finger paints diligently. Theywere assisted by facilitators to glue the egg’s surface, roll them in glitter, cut the ribbons and decorating with flowers.
B: Preparing wheat grains for sowing. . • Objectives: • stimulate abstract thinking • Participation of pwd in the project • Reminisce and recollect the reason for sowing and growing the wheat grains for Haft Seen table • Encourage pwd to give an account of the way they experienced Nowruz traditions.
Steps: • Wash wheat grains • Soak
Third week’s activity: Sow the wheat sprouts • Objectives: • Interaction with nature reducing agitation • Improve mood and group interaction • Reminiscing
Steps: • Each client was given his/her dish • Each client was given some wheat sprouts to spread in the dish
Watering the wheat sprouts by pwd up to Nowruz with the assistance of the team
Fourth week‘s activity: Celebrating Nowruz in the Day Center with pwd, their families,and the Day Centre team and IAA’s members.
Steps:During the last week of the year, Nowruz cards were made by pwd, signed and sent to the families inviting them to the event
Setting Haft Seen table with the prepared items and reminiscing with pwd
Live music playing old and Nowruz songs
Distributing work book, CD of songs among family members , for filling happy moments of Nowruzholidays, helpingthem to copewith cognitive-motor disability and reminiscing the old tradition.
We thank IAA’s team, our clients and volunteers who helped us realize this project
Authors: • Jahangiri.M .1, Hafarian.L. 2 , Farin.F. 3 • Education & Research, Iran Alzheimer's Association, • Education & Research , Iran Alzheimer's Association • PR-coordinator, Iran Alzh eimr's Association, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic Of • Resources: 1. Authors : Tadaka , Etsuko ,Kanagawa,Katsuko,Effects of reminiscence group in elderly people with Alzheimer disease and Vascular dementia in community setting /Source: Geriatrics and Geronotology International, 7(2) ,167-173, 2007. 2. Dadkhah, SeyedMohamad Ali, Nowruz and Haft-Seen Philosophy, publisher kimya, Tehran, 2010.