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hope.ohara@gmail.com Resource Page

Resource Page (hope.ohara@gmail.com)

Your Cognitive Ambassador

Thanks for signing up for a Concierge Membership! Your Cognitive Ambassador is Becky Khayum and she can be reached via email at becky.khayum@mycognitiveconcierge.com.

Click here to schedule an Ambassador Meeting using our online scheduling tool now! We will use Zoom (zoom.us) to conduct video meetings with your Cognitive Ambassador. Your Ambassador will send you an email prior to your meeting with the weblink to join the Zoom meeting. Just in case we have also included the link below, just click below to join your next meeting!

https://zoom.us/j/7853624793?pwd=VG5pRzBTdk13WXpSNHB0djBkSDJCUT09

Pat & Hope’s Weekly To Do List:

  • Order lanyard and plastic case. Place Medic Alert Card and index card with Gate and Flight Number in the lanyard for the airport.
  • Try adding additional light in the bedroom near Pat’s dresser
  • Write “What have you been up to?” script for Pat to use with family on vacation
  • Write “What did you do over the holidays?” script for Pat to use in January.

Becky’s Weekly To Do List:

  • Access Dresser pictures on Google Drive; Create daily routine visual aid with pictures and captions
  • Find information about organizations that offer service dogs
  • Send picture of puzzle strategies – organization of pieces
  • To discuss in January:
    • Telling children about PPA
    • Practice use of dressing visual aid
    • Strategies for Pat to prepare Hope’s breakfast
    • Continue creating scenes for GRID

Collaboration with Care Team:

  • Speech-Language Pathologist: Junerose (Insurance)
  • Speech-Language Pathologist: Amy Roman (AAC)
  • Occupational Therapy: Lori Lee (Insurance) at Mills Hospital, San Mateo
  • Neurology: Dr. Jessica Deleon (UCSF)
  • Neurology: Dr. Mark Saleh (Palo Alto Medical Foundation)
  • Primary Care: Dr. Steven Hansen (Palo Alto Medical Foundation)

Aphasia/Support Groups:

  • Northwestern SEED Program
  • Aphasia Center of California Program
  • Stanford Support Group
  • National Aphasia Association PPA Chats
  • Lingraphica PPA Groups
  • San Jose State SPARC Program
  • Cognitive Concierge PPA Chats

Leisure Activities:

1. Run (daily)

adventure athlete athletic daylight
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

2. Play guitar

person playing brown guitar
Photo by 42 North on Pexels.com

3. Read newspaper articles

the new york times newspaper
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

4. Gardening

healthy nature garden tomatoes
Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

Nature/Gardening Activity: Try using the “Seek” app to identify plant and animal species! “Seek” allows you to take a picture of a plant or animal, and it will show the name of the species and information about it. Watch video to learn more!

5. Drawing

Drawing Activity: Pick an object in your house (examples: food item, kitchen utensil, clothing item, furniture). Take pictures of the object with your iPhone. Try taking pictures from different angles. Then, try drawing the object from different angles. Say the word aloud a few times as you draw it.

  • “Water bottle…”

6. Birdwatching

Try using the “Merlin Bird ID” app to view lists of common birds in your area or identify a bird you have seen. You can also listen to different bird calls. Watch video to learn more!

6. Reminiscing

Download the “Story Creator” app, to create talking photo albums about favorite trips or memories. Also, create tab in Communication Notebook for “Memories,” where you can include printed pages of scrapbook with captions.

Activities of Daily Living:

  • Daily Schedule
    • Use dry erase board to write daily schedule each evening during dinner
    • Make schedule for daily chores – add to dry erase board schedule
    • Set alerts using “Reminder” app on iPhone for important meetings/support groups
  • Phone Calls – Logging in
  • Phone Calls – Friends & Family
  • Phone Calls – Calling 911
    • Practice using visual aid to pull up SOS screen on phone. Press side button 5 times while saying “One, two, three, four, five aloud). Practice swiping “Medical ID” bar. Discuss swiping SOS bar in real emergency. Phone will automatically call 911 if side button is pressed more than 5 times. (practice 15-20 times in a row, for 2-3 days)
    • Add 911 to Favorites:
      • Go to “Contacts” and create “New Contact.”
      • Name: “Emergency 911”
      • Add mobile number: “911”
      • Scroll down and click on “Add to Favorites”
      • Click on “Call” (not “message).
  • Make “SOS script” card for wallet. Practice reading script 8-10x/day, 4-5 days/week.
  • How to add another person to unlock your iPhone with Face ID
  1. Go to settings.
  2. Tap Face ID & passcode.
  3. Enter your passcode.
  4. Tap “Setup an alternative appearance”
  5. Tap on get started on the “How to setup Face ID” window.
  6. Register Face ID and save it.
  • Laundry
    • Practice using visual aid to complete several loads of laundry. Identify which steps are difficult to follow. We will edit the aid as a team. Consider frames or plastic displays to post visual aids.
  • Cooking
    • Discuss goals/strategies for cooking at future session, if desired.

Social Network:

Family:

  • Hope
  • Bobby
  • Annie
  • Cookie

Friends:

  • Jeff B. (police officer)
  • Jeff M.

Neighbors:

  • Fr. Dave

Bank:

  • Robin
  • Jean
  • John W.
  • Kevin
  • Carol
  • Steve W.

Communication Strategies:

Speaking:

  • Try to talk around the missing word
  • Use Smartbox Grid to find the missing word
  • Use a paper communication support to find the missing word

Comprehension:

  • COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES (template for script, email, or letter to educate family and friends):
    • I have trouble comprehending conversations sometimes. It is not a hearing problem. Speaking more loudly will not help. Long or complex questions, instructions, and complex conversations will be especially difficult. Group conversation may also be challenging.
    • You can help by:
      • Keeping questions as short as possible. Yes/no questions are much easier than choice or open-ended questions.
      • Keeping instructions short. Give one instruction at a time.
      • Breaking down complex conversations. Check for comprehension of each main point.
      • Writing out questions and instructions.
      • Writing out key words during longer conversations.
      • Writing key words when conversation topic shifts to a new topic.
      • Helpful tools: Try a notepad or “Boogie board” at home. Try the “notes” section of the iPhone. Try using voice recognition technology to dictate the words on iPhone or iPad.
      • Pull up pictures on phone to share during conversation.
  • Eliminate distractions (turn off music and TV)
  • Speak face to face with eye contact
  • Key words: communication partner writes down key words during conversation
  • Visual supports: use technology or paper-based supports to supplement speech with a visual aid

Reading:

  • Reading guide tool – use for tracking as needed.
  • Newspaper articles: Try reading simplified news sources, such as Lingraphica Talkpath News. To determine comprehension, read the same article and then discuss afterwards.
  • Novels: BOOKSHARE program!
  • Wednesday News Article Discussion Group:
    • Pat selects article on Talkpath News/ Pat selects or listens to Podcast
    • Pat and Hope write short script with bullet points.
      • Write short, simple sentences. (No complex)
      • Write full sentences with subject and verb. (no phrases)
      • Write out numerical symbols in words.
      • Highlight or bold multisyllabic words that are difficult to pronounce.
    • For daily practice: Practice reading entire script aloud 5x in a row. Remember to practice script several times aloud directly before your News Group.
    • Email copy of script to group facilitator. Let her know that it’s ok to jump in to help if Pat gets stuck, especially with numbers.

Writing:

  • Texting – strategies TBD

Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC):

  • “Communication Station” – set up with visual aids, clock, dry erase board
  • Toby Dynavox & Smartbox Grid (currently creating content)
    • Goal: Pat and Hope work as a team to use Dynavox device/ Smartbox Grid. Hope sets up the device and navigates to the desired page. Pat selects the icons and reads aloud, using the written sentences at the topic of the screen.
  • Message banking (synthetic voice + own voice – in progress)
  • Communication Boards and Wallet (need to develop)
    • “Conversation Topics” visual aid, to narrow down topic of conversation.
      • Use PowerPoint template to create slides: 1 topic per slide and picture.
    • Collaboration with Amy: Print picture boards from the Grid to use as paper-based communication supports.
  • Picture organization on the iPhone

Cognitive-Communication Exercises: (goal of 60 minutes/day)

  • Grid practice – 3x/day
  • Communication Book practice – 1x/day
  • Personal information + “About Me” flashcards – 1x/day
  • Practicing signature – 4 days/week
  • Computer Flashcards – personalized words (Eddie’s words) – 2 days/week
  • Paper Flashcards – personalized words (Becky’s words) – 4 days/week
  • Word Gesture Program – TBD
  • TED Talk Scripts – 1 day/month

New Resources:

Virtual Drawing Classes & Other Virtual Activities:

Free online art classes (not a Zoom classes, just instructional videos): https://www.free-online-art-classes.com/

Oregon Society of Artists: https://public.osartists.org/public/classes

FEAR-FREE BEGINNER’S DRAWING CLASS 101 ONLINE

Artful: Art and Dementia Toolkit: This program isn’t a drawing class, but I thought it looked interesting. It is an art program specifically designed for people living with dementia: https://www.mca.com.au/learn/art-dementia/artful-online-toolkit/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YLq64BS7JB4cC13aj0AGgjYZ3Zf9qZkaGz1Qa-1YSWN50hY00XboTRoChDUQAvD_BwE

Banner Alzheimer’s Institute offers virtual art and music programs that look interesting: https://www.banneralz.org/classes-and-events/life-enrichment-programs

Aphasia Institute: Supported communication training program for families living with PPA: https://www.aphasia.ca/programs-services/primary-progressive-aphasia-programs/

Momentia: Compilation of online resources for people with dementia: http://www.momentiaseattle.org/virtual-programs

Older Resources:

  • Picture-based cordless phones

Your existing internet provider (cable or satellite) should offer a phone service option that allows you to use a landline phone over the internet (otherwise called VOIP). See suggested steps below:

  1. Upgrade your cable or satellite internet provider package to include a voice over IP (VOIP) service. Ensure that the router/modem that your cable or internet provider has provided you has an RJ11 jack (this is the traditional phone line plug that we are all used to).
  2. Purchase Base With Photo Buttons (~$60) that will plug into your modem/router: https://www.vtechphones.com/store/pd/4144/SN5127-Amplified-Cordless-Phone-with-Answering-System-Big-Buttons-Extra-Loud-Ringer-Smart-Call-Blocker
  3. Purchase Wireless Bases With Photo Buttons (~$35 each) for various locations around the house: https://www.vtechphones.com/store/pd/4146/SN5307-Amplified-Photo-Dial-Accessory-Handset-for-SN5127-or-SN5147-Series-Phones
  • San Francisco Bay Elder Law Attorneys – Recommended by the team at the San Francisco office of the Alzheimer’s Association:

Trisha Friedeberg <tfriedeberg@kfslaw.net>
Rowena Navia <rnavia@kfslaw.net>  
Brent Kato BKato@kfslaw.net
Sarah Huffman huffmans@uchastings.edu
Sarah Hooper hoopers@uchastings.edu

Creating Talking Photo Album with Story Creator App:

This is the main page of your Story Creator App. It will display all of the albums you have created.

To create a new album, click on “Add Story”

A small window will open called “Edit Book Settings.” You can type the name of your album and add a picture (from the web or from your device).

After you finish the cover page of your album, a blank page will appear. There is a toolbar on the right side of the screen. If it is hidden, tap on the gray bar on the right side of the screen and it will expand outwards. Then tap the camera icon at the top of the toolbar (not the paint pallete).

Now tap on the camera button underneath the green camera button. This will allow you to add a photo or video from your photo stream.

This menu will pop up when you select “add existing photo.” It will display all of your album on your photo stream. Typically you will want to select “recents” unless there is a particular album you want to select from.

Click on the picture or video, and it will insert into your album.

Now you can add a caption. Tap on the T button underneath the green camera button. You can type in a caption.

Now you can record your voice. Click on the microphone button underneath the green camera button. Then tap the red circle to record your voice. It will record for around 30 seconds.

When you are finished recording, click on the red square to stop. You can listen to your recording by selecting the amplify button to the right of the red square.

To record again, just click the red circle again.

To add more pages to your album, select the page with the plus sign. You can look through all of your pages and listen to the voice recordings by swiping left and right through the pages.