Typically, I only use Play-doh on the "lowest-functioning" floor of our facility. Between the texture of the cool clay on their hands, the Play-doh's bright colors, and its smell (and taste, oops!), Play-doh makes for a wonderful sensory experience for people with late-stage dementia.
I was sitting at a table between two mid-stage residents (one male, one female) and a basket of Play-doh cans. I started by rolling small pieces of the clay into shapes and passing them to the male resident. It was fascinating to see the design he created when he placed the pieces on the table in front of him:
I was sitting at a table between two mid-stage residents (one male, one female) and a basket of Play-doh cans. I started by rolling small pieces of the clay into shapes and passing them to the male resident. It was fascinating to see the design he created when he placed the pieces on the table in front of him:
Next, I started handing pieces of clay to the woman on the other side of me. Instead of rolling the clay into shapes, I simply broke apart small pieces and handed them to her. She rolled each piece into a ball, strategically placed it on the table, and pushed her thumb down in the middle of each one:
This is just another example of communication through artistic expression, and how creativity seems so much more important for individuals with aphasia.
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