Kelvin Grove State College year nine students with their amazing contribution to the RADAR unit
Kelvin Grove State College (KGSC) year nine students have been hard at work creating dementia therapy aids and sensory activities for RBWH patients as part of their Giving Back Community Project.
Throughout term four of 2021, the students learnt about the science of the brain and how dementia can affect it. RBWH Nurse Navigator Suzie Thistlethwaite and Clinic Nurse Felicity Bridgmen from the RADAR program visited the school to teach the students about their patient cohort and how things like therapy aids and visual activities can help these individuals.
With their newfound knowledge, the students set out to develop a range of activities for RBWH dementia patients including sensory pouches, sensory bottles, sensory textual cubes, cognitive activity puzzles, hand-sewn fiddle bags and blankets, sock, clothes and colour sorting activities, and much more.
Each of the activities was accompanied by supervision guidelines and instructions developed by the students so carers can easily explain the activity to their patient or family member.
The students hand-delivered the activities to the RADAR team, who have already been distributing them to patients. The feedback from patients and carers so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the sense of calm and joy brought about by the activities.
KGSC student Riana said that the visit to the RBWH was an amazing experience that provided the students with great opportunity to understand how their project will positively impact the community.
“It was great being able to talk to the RBWH team and receive further feedback on what projects the patients favorited as well as other factors that we could consider when making projects in the future, for example specific patient needs,” Riana said.
“Visiting RBWH was an incredible experience and has given me motivation to help our community in the future. Thanks to all the hospital staff for giving us such an amazing opportunity.”
Thank you to KGSC students and teachers for improving the lives of people with dementia. We are looking forward to working with the college for many years to come.