Avery Healtthcare is proud to welcome The Daily Sparkle into its portfolio of homes. The Daily Sparkle is a reminiscence newspaper resource for elderly residents and is proving to be a great hit within our homes. Avery acknowledges the potency of historical stimuli to some of our residents who live with dementia.
The Daily Sparkle is a resource for people in residential care, or using day care facilities, including those with early signs of dementia. It's a daily 'newspaper' containing short articles that prompt reminiscence and discussion, and stimulate conversation between residents and visitors.
The format of The Daily Sparkle is large clear print, and short varied articles that can be enjoyed by people who have in the past enjoyed reading as a hobby, but who can no longer sustain the concentration to read books and newspapers. It can be read by individuals as well as used as the basis for group discussion. Each Daily Sparkle is accompanied by Carers' Notes, to help Activities Co-ordinators or Care Assistants (and whose culture and first language may not be from the UK), to be well-informed about the background to the articles. Carers' Notes also include suggested questions to prompt free-flowing discussion.
The articles and the way they are written stimulate reminiscence and conversation based on all five senses, plus movement. For example, an article about food rationing or war-time recipes would include reference to the taste, texture and smell of the food; items about 1950s fashion would include questions about what the fabrics felt like to touch or to wear.
The Daily Sparkle was the concept of a Psychotherapist with extensive experience designing and delivering activities for older people in residential care. Articles are written to ensure that although the majority of residents in care homes are women, the content is not too 'cosy and domestic' for male residents.