Simple Pleasures uses craft items made by volunteers to promote sensory stimulation among institutionalized dementia patients.
Sensory stimulation is shown to decrease agitation and boredom for the residents.
A number of useful items are made by the volunteers and given to the residents during a 30 minute visit. The manual includes a brief training sample for adults and children informing on dementia and Alzheimer s Disease. The kit includes evaluation forms and form letters for students, teachers, and volunteers and instructions and patterns for crafts. In the Opera at the Palace program, seniors and students are paired together according to musical interests. Goals include exposing students to positive role models and learning the importance of the arts in their lives and the lives of the senior citizens.