Drop in and check it out!
From 23 January, every Tuesday morning: two hours of fun activities and light fitness exercises, for seniors from the Riwaka and Motueka area.
Focused on seniors, but everyone welcome.
Embark on a journey that:
* Reignites your creative forces
* Revitalises your body with exercises adjusted to your physical
abilities
* Revisits the stories of your life
* Sparks conversation
* Reminds you of the songs that make your heart sing
During an activities programme in your own home, Marije seeks active participation and interaction on your individual level of mobility, bodily autonomy, cognitive function and fields of interest.
Marije is a qualified Diversional Therapist with a background in Anthroposophical Art Therapy and 10+ years of experience in Aged Care and Dementia Care.
Even though the profession of Diversional Therapy in New Zealand exists since the 1980’s, people usually hear about Diversional Therapy for the first time, when they, or a loved one moves into a rest home.
It is my aim to take Diversional Therapy out of the rest home and bring it into the homes of the elderly of our community. Especially to those elderly who experience loneliness, isolation, depression due to a decline in mobility, physical health, illness, cognitive impairment such as dementia. Many of them are still living at home, but often face long days of boredom and purposelessness.
Day-stay activities programs in the local rest homes do exist, but having a personal DT in the home of a client is a totally new concept and it perfectly fills the gap between the home based carer and cleaner, since they usually don’t have the time for this very important aspect of individual care, nor is it in their job description.
The Kindle and Reignite program also provides the carer, partner or family member some respite. They can have a little breather. It gives them some time to themselves. They can go to the golf course, socialize with friends, or simply go shopping and run some errands, knowing their loved one is in good hands.
As a qualified Diversional Therapist with many years of experience in aged care, I provide individual activity sessions with a focus on my clients personal interests, abilities and capacities, in the comfort of their own home.
The activities bring a sense of purpose, meaning and belonging, back into their life.
The name Kindle and Reignite wants to focus on bringing back that spark in their eyes, relighting that fire of enthusiasm and engagement in a new way.
I’s my aim to get funding organised for my clients, which makes regular sessions more feasible.
It is my observation that regular sessions over a longer period of time have a positive impact on the mental and physical health of my clients.The Kindle and Reignite activities program has a positive impact on or improves:
* Mood * Food and drink intake * Mobility * Blood circulation * Digestion
* Sleep patterns * Focus * Cognition * Anxiety * Depression
What a Kindle and Reignite session can look like:
* Check-in: How are you doing, How are you feeling, News
* Body Flow exercises
* Music/Singing
* Themes for reminiscing: Work, Hobbies, Family, Children, Dances, Traveling, (local) History
Book reading
Or
* Art: Painting, Drawing, Writing
Home sessions available in Motueka, Riwaka, Brooklyn
Also available as video sessions nationwide
Body Flow – Sitting exercises
As we grow older, it becomes more and more apparent that our bodies are changing. We tend to move less, because our joints ache or our muscles lose their strength.
Our bodies become less flexible and also less resilient when we injure ourselves.
Because of the reduction in movement, we injure easier and it takes longer to heal from injury.
Movement is very important for the blood circulation, for our nervous system, for our respiratory system, for our digestive system. Movement of the body aids all our body functions and the ability to repair damage and heal.
Body Flow is a gentle form of exercise that allows the body to move to its own ability, in its own pace, to its own rhythm and can be performed in a standing, sitting or lying position.
In Body Flow we move our body in a natural, flowing way to a soundscape of music and natural sounds to create and stimulate flexibility in joints, muscles and tendons.
It can be experienced as a dance, but the focus can also be on strengthening the muscles with weights.
Body Flow stimulates the (fine) motor skills, coordination, mobility, flexibility, brain function and promotes social and emotional well-being. Body flow is fun and can lift our spirit.
During a session you are welcome to create your own series of movements, but you can also follow a guided series of movements proposed by Marije, a qualified Diversional Therapist.
Testimonial
“It’s very much a joy to recommend Marije for any elder who is seeking authentic, home-based activities and engagement with life in spite of limitations.
Marije provided diversional therapy for my late Mother for several years, both when Mum was living independently and when at rest home level care. Marije’s invitational, warm and inclusive approach with mum created connection and joy for mum during the most vulnerable time of her life as she had advancing dementia.
Marije accommodated Mum’s ever changing needs and moods and captured her interest with music, stories, news, discussions, quizzes, games, outings and multiple interactions with life and her memories. The ability to tailor her work and be led by her client’s whims, energy levels and preferences was amazing.
I witnessed Marije in action in variable contexts with elders with multiple needs and every individual matters and is noticed by Marije.
Mum bonded with Marije. She was entertained, soothed, and awakened by Marije’s programs.
Some of my most precious memories of Mum’s last few years are the photos captured of Mum engaged with Marije and all the activities she offered.
Off-duty, Marije was even caught on camera jumping out of her Zumba line in the Starlight Parade to hug Mum who was seated watching the parade pass on High St.
Mum felt special and remembered this for a remarkably long time and the photo was never taken off her wall. While memory was fading and energy was waning, Marije’s experience and passion while working with Mum was refreshing, empathetic and very loving. I very highly recommend Marije what she has to offer.
It is with deep gratitude that I write this.”
Lyn
Labyrinth Art Therapies 