I had another professional ask me if we had any personal assistants/caregivers at Eldercare that could golf. She has two men in her support group who love to golf – but because of their dementia they might slow down a serious group of golfers and their wives are not interested.
What a wonderful idea as an alternate to a “day care” program to send these men out with someone sensitive and trained in dementia to be their partner for a few hours. It won’t matter what the score is in the “moment” of doing something familiar and being able to laugh and enjoy the outdoors that will bring quality to these guy’s lives. There is an additional cost to pay for the personal assistant, but community courses have reasonable greens fees. And in the end this will not cost much more than a day in a care center with far more enjoyment for the aging golfer.
I have suggested to many families that they find ways for the person with dementia to enjoy familiar hobbies and try to take the anxiety or stress out of the activity. Golfing to enjoy the day (and not the score) as well as giving the spouse some needed respite sounds like a win-win!
Lauri Taylor says
September 17, 2009 at 3:16 pmNice post! I will recommend this to some friends down here in LA.
Lauri Taylor says
September 17, 2009 at 3:16 pmNice post! I will recommend this to some friends down here in LA.
Care Giver says
September 18, 2009 at 3:04 pmGolfing is a great activity, because it’s secluded, yet outdoors and among people. Another similar activity I like to do is to take a long walk through a park that is not too busy. Like with golf, this gives us seclusion but also access to he public.
Care Giver says
September 18, 2009 at 3:04 pmGolfing is a great activity, because it’s secluded, yet outdoors and among people. Another similar activity I like to do is to take a long walk through a park that is not too busy. Like with golf, this gives us seclusion but also access to he public.
Bobby says
September 27, 2009 at 12:04 pmI think this is a really fantastic idea. Not only will the fresh air and excersise be benificial, but also the comfort of participating in a sport they once loved. There is probably nothing more pleasing to someone suffering from dimentia than doing something familiar and enjoyable.
Bobby says
September 27, 2009 at 12:04 pmI think this is a really fantastic idea. Not only will the fresh air and excersise be benificial, but also the comfort of participating in a sport they once loved. There is probably nothing more pleasing to someone suffering from dimentia than doing something familiar and enjoyable.
Ann Johnson says
December 17, 2009 at 5:00 amExcellent post! This will help me. I feel inspired to come up with fun things for my father and I to do when we are together despite the obstacles that his dementia can produce. Having a professional Caregiver provide the primary care to my father has truly transformed our relationship by removing a lot of the burdens that had altered it to begin with. I would highly recommend it!
Ann Johnson says
December 17, 2009 at 5:00 amExcellent post! This will help me. I feel inspired to come up with fun things for my father and I to do when we are together despite the obstacles that his dementia can produce. Having a professional Caregiver provide the primary care to my father has truly transformed our relationship by removing a lot of the burdens that had altered it to begin with. I would highly recommend it!
Adam Griff says
May 5, 2011 at 9:53 amIt is excellent idea, but often golf courses often resist because they feel it causes issues on the course. We (SarahCare Adult Day Services) partnered with Renee Powell, who Golf Digest ranked as one of the top 25 Women Golf Teachers in the nation, to create a golf league for those suffering from dementia and other impairments.
It was a great success so far, and the summer of 2011 will be our second ‘season’. I’d be happy to speak with you would like to join us, want to start, or have started something similar in your community.
Adam Griff
[email protected]
Adam Griff says
May 5, 2011 at 9:53 amIt is excellent idea, but often golf courses often resist because they feel it causes issues on the course. We (SarahCare Adult Day Services) partnered with Renee Powell, who Golf Digest ranked as one of the top 25 Women Golf Teachers in the nation, to create a golf league for those suffering from dementia and other impairments.
It was a great success so far, and the summer of 2011 will be our second ‘season’. I’d be happy to speak with you would like to join us, want to start, or have started something similar in your community.
Adam Griff
[email protected]