“Delivering quality of care is a social responsibility”. Gail Elliott
(Founder Dementiability).
Recreation On Wheels is your advocate and a respite service:
You are not alone anymore, a true commitment to accompany you and your loved one with care and kindness as dementia comes in your life.
How?
Recreation On Wheels will provide stimulation and engagement using recreation therapeutic methods, and leisure based on all observations made.
What does this mean?
I use the Arts in general to connect with your loved one. Sketching, ink, watercolour, music singing and drumming, as well as creative writing. Creativity and well chosen art programs support well being for people living with dementia.
What if I am not artistic any Other methods?
As a dementiAbility practitioner, with gentle and validating communication as well as observation I am able to reach your loved one at the point of their needs and ability. Every session is tailor made and with this, I can reach your loved one who is non verbal.
A true person centered approach
“Observation is the best tool to assess & evaluate” L.Clare
A one to one session creates a bond, and enhances the quality of life of the person living with dementia. This evidence-based practice will allow me to personalize my approach to the needs of your loved one or their preferences.
Commitment
I am committed to you and your family as well as dedicated to follow you on this journey. At the end of each session, you will receive a report with photos.
And how will this help my loved one?
Non pharmaceutical, my approach is holistic and I will look at the person as a whole to find a way to nourish and stimulate.
The benefit will appear with a decreased anxiety and less agitation and a general sense of wellbeing.
About
Welcome!
And thank you for your interest.
I am Valerie and I have worked with many clients living with dementia and have earned respect from professionals in the field, coordinating and attending care conferences. I am continuously educating myself and studying with the latest research in the dementia field.
I bring to Recreation On Wheels’ practice a solid knowledge around dementia, inclusive, safe and respectful communication, as well as techniques on how to use therapeutic recreation methods in a creative adapted way. Leisure is an important asset for individuals diagnosed with dementia and allows them to be social again and find new purpose in their lives.
After almost 10 years of front line work I am excited to open a mobile practice and share my passion.
Credentials
- Certified DementiAbility
- GPA: Gentle persuasion approach
- Certified with College of London | Dementia within the Arts
- Facilitator & certified with Arts and Minds https://www.artsandminds.org/
- Educated with Regional Geriatric program: Cognitive Assessment Tools
Valerie was honoured to receive a nomination for the BC Care provider by her Recreation Director while working at Agecare.
Testimonials:
The best day for me and my husband was when I met Valerie (Rec on Wheels). She was a huge support for myself and my husband with later stage dementia. Her kind professional caring approach made my husband feel comfortable and loved and gave me such peace of mind. She was interested in finding out who my husband was as a person and was able to find suitable activities for him to do that were not available in his LTC facility. Valerie actually cared for my husband and kept me up to date with the activities that they shared and her observations. She was our angel and made such a difference in my husband’s quality of life.
Judy M (RN, wife and caregiver)
I have worked alongside Valerie in two different Long Term Care settings that cater to those residents who are living with dementia.
Valerie understands that a person living with dementia is a person first, they are NOT the disease. Valerie understands that not only does the individual’s life who has a diagnosis of dementia change, but all those individuals who care for and love this person as well.
Valerie taps into all the different areas of stimulation that each individual has, so that she can help retrieve the parts of the person that are not affected by their diagnosis, or are affected, but can now be managed in a new and positive light.
Valerie takes the time to get to know both the person living with dementia and their loved ones, and she has the patience and diligence to find those things that can once again bring back joy to lives of those she works with. Give Valerie a call, you won’t regret it!
Loretta Bosma BSW, RSW (Social worker Long term care)
Valerie and I have worked together for over 5 years. During this period I was able to watch Valerie’s skills grow. She implemented DementiAbility methods during Covid in one of the home, I watched her revamp a floor in another one, a watercolour art program, and creative writing. As Valerie put together a choir, I witnessed the joy it brought to our residents.
Everyday Valerie has shown her dedication to enliven the daily life of the residents and bring more meaning in a creative and positive manner.
I would recommend Valerie’s services to anyone looking for that special extra: Valerie is a role model for person-centred care, she has a strong moral compass and carries herself to the highest ethical standards. She is always professional, polite and compassionate; and she has always been a strong advocate for our residents and is continually looking for ways to improve their quality of life.
Thomas Bowden, Recreation Director. (Long Term Care Home)
I met Valerie, through my friend, whose husband was in the same care facility as my husband with dementia. Valerie was working with her husband and had available time.
She uses the Dementiability Method as she connects with her clients. I was familiar with this process and also happy to have the chance to have another person able to work with him at his level of abilities.
She cared about my husband, and was able to engage him in singing, speaking his first language, French, and doing tasks that he could, as well as challenge him to do more -with lots of praise!
I felt so comfortable to have her work with him. She kept me up-to-date with photos and her own observations and he responded very well to her.
Having her come to work with my husband was an excellent add-on to the activities that the care home were able to provide. I was also able to take a little more time for myself when I knew she was seeing him.
I would recommend having Valerie spend some time with you and your loved one with dementia, so you can see what a caring and compassionate person she is. I believe that her visits with my husband added significantly to his quality of life at a time when we both needed it.
Audrey (Client’s wife)