Keep aging seniors mentally active and stimulated with quality cognitive exercise for seniors at varying stages of dementia or Alzheimer's
Studies show that stimulation of the brain through activities such as puzzles, reading or verbal interaction helps keep the mind healthier and more alert.
The Boomerang life program can stimulate and activate various parts of the brain that are involved in intellectual and social functioning. Click through the slideshow to see what part of the brain is activated with the corresponding Boomerang life activity.
In a Boomerang MIND session, the frontal lobe is activated. This area of the brain controls most of our higher functioning, such as solving the answers to the Popular Sayings DVD, trivia or judging what information to share when discussing a Boomerang Life question.
The temporal lobe is the main area for memory formation and storage. When seniors reminisce during Boomerang Mind sessions or recall past memories stimulated by the video images of Scenic Journeys, the temporal lobe is at work. Made up of a series of smaller structures, the temporal lobe works to consolidate the images and experiences of Boomerang Life and is activated to bring up and share the long-term memories triggered during the reminiscing portion of the Journey Cards, the Journey Video Series and the trivia DVD’s.
The occipital lobe lights up when looking at any of the visually rich pictures available in Boomerang Life products. Vibrant images are a key component in all Boomerang Life products. When looking at the visually rich pictures in the videos and in the hand-held journeycards the occipital lobe is activated as it receives and analyzes the visually rich pictures.
The limbic system, located in the temporal lobe, is stimulated when seniors are emotionally engaged in Boomerang Life products. Scenic Journeys, the Journey cards and reminiscing activities prompt the limbic system to analyze the information and express an emotional response, such as laughter or smiling when watching Boomerang Life’s wide range of stimulating content.
When using Boomerang MIND Journey cards, both the Broca's and Wernike's area in the frontal and temporal lobe are stimulated. When encouraged to verbally read, Broca's area controls language production and the Wernicke's is activated once the words are read, focusing on language comprehension.
Created and tested in Fraserview longterm care home. These are case studies and results for four different individuals who had moderate to advanced Alzheimer's. They were one to one and group sessions that used Boomerang life cards and digital content. Note: The names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals.
During certain points in the day (11:30-3:00), Ellen becomes agitated and anxious. She will wander around the facility, ask where her daughter is, and become increasingly anxious and confused. If this behaviour is not redirected, Ellen’s anxiety and confusion will escalate into her loudly demanding to see her daughter and extreme anxiety and confusion about her situation.
With a combined intervention of Boomerang LIFE DVDs and the use of the internet in the Media Room, Ellen’s behaviour is able to be managed. 11 out of the 12 interventions resulted in a decline in Ellen’s negative behaviour, including for a short while after the treatment. When Ellen was redirected with a Media Room/Boomerang LIFE intervention, her negative behaviour was delayed for a minimum of 30 minutes. During these sessions, Ellen is able to recall her past and is often seen laughing and talking with the staff/volunteer who works with her. Ellen gets genuine enjoyment out of these sessions, along with behaviour management.
Decrease in agitation, Decrease in Anxiety, Increase in positive emotional and social engagement.
Daisy will occasionally get very agitated and upset, often crying or waving people away from her. She will also shake her wheelchair and rub her head, while repeating, “No” over and over. Some of her behaviours are not as disruptive, as she is often very passive and not engaged in programs.
Daisy responds amazingly well to Boomerang LIFE’s “Baby” DVD. With the assistance of staff or a volunteer, Daisy will watch a DVD on the Media Room’s portable laptop. The “Baby” DVD has been used in all six of Daisy’s interventions and has been successful is each session. During the video, Daisy will become very excited, touching the computer and speaking to the babies. She will laugh and give the babies German pet-names, such as “Puppe” (doll in German). Boomerang LIFE allows Daisy to become very engaged in the images and has successfully stopped her problem behaviours.
Six 1:1 Boomerang Life 'Happy Babies' Intervention (6/6 were successful)
Decrease in agitation, Decrease in Anxiety, Increase in positive emotional and social engagement.
Susan will often become agitated and confused, shouting out for help, crying, and asking to go home. Her behaviour will often stay at that level, with her crying and asking for help. Occasionally it will escalate to her wheeling herself to the exits and slamming on the door, begging for a way out. She has also hit and used physical aggression on staff and other individuals who have tried to calm her down.
Using the media room’s multiple platforms for Boomerang LIFE, Susan is receptive to the “Flowers” DVD, with all six of her 1:1 sessions resulting in a calming of her behaviour. When watching the DVD, she will often reminisce about gardening or other memories related to the content. While not as expressive as other residents, Susan, will watch with interest, often becoming tired or even falling asleep as her body relaxes from all of the tension she was previously feeling. At her most extreme agitation level, Susan was able to be calmed with the music from the Boomerang LIFE DVD.
Six 1:1 Boomerang Life Interventions using the "Flowers" journey program.
Decrease in agitation and confusion, Decrease in physical aggression, Increase in calming and relaxed demeanour.
Fran will often call out from her room, “Jie Jie” (Cantonese for older sister), to get attention. Along with wandering along the halls, Fran will often isolate herself in her room and call out, sometimes with no pause between calls.
Fran has been very receptive to Boomerang LIFE’s DVDs, especially the “Baby” DVD. She will immediately stop her problem behaviour and focus on the screen of the laptop, TV, or iPad. Of the four interventions she has received so far, Fran has successfully stopped her problem behaviour 100% of the time. During the DVD, Fran will often point to the pictures of the babies, whisper to them, and laugh. After a session, Fran is extremely happy, smiles a lot, and stops calling out. However, typically her problem behaviour starts again after 10 minutes.
Four 1:1 Boomerang Life Interventions using the "Happy Babies" program - 4/4 were successful.
Decrease in agitation and confusion, Decrease in physical aggression, Increase in calming and relaxed demeanour.
Fran has been very receptive to Boomerang LIFE’s DVDs, especially the “Baby” DVD. She will immediately stop her problem behaviour and focus on the screen of the laptop, TV, or iPad. Of the four interventions she has received so far, Fran has successfully stopped her problem behaviour 100% of the time. During the DVD, Fran will often point to the pictures of the babies, whisper to them, and laugh. After a session, Fran is extremely happy, smiles a lot, and stops calling out. However, typically her problem behaviour starts again after 10 minutes.
Four 1:1 Boomerang Life Interventions using the "Happy Babies" program - 4/4 were successful.
