How to Make a Reality Orientation Calendar
Traditional calendars cover a fixed period of time and lose value after that period. A perpetual calendar uses a combination of individual days, months and numbers to describe the current day and date for an unlimited time. When used for reality orientation, a large-print perpetual calendar can assist a caregiver in reminding a patient or group of patients of the day and date and may include other pertinent information. The reminder helps to ground the patient when impaired cognition interferes with day-to-day functionality. Create a reality calendar to meet individual needs, taking into account the patient's visual acuity, interests and room decor. The calendar also works well to help teach children about days, dates and seasons.
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Things You'll Need
- Word processing or desktop publishing software
- Heavy-duty paper or card stock
- Computer printer
- Adhesive magnets, felt buttons or flannel scraps
- Pair of scissors or a paper cutter
Instructions
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1
Choose the background surface where the calendar will hang. A larger background, such as a metal door or piece of poster board, will allow space for bigger pieces and larger fonts. An 8-1/2- by 11-inch sheet of cardboard requires a smaller font for the individual pieces to fit.
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2
If your software offers grid lines, display them to simplify positioning and sizing. Create a series of text boxes for data. The actual size of the text boxes depends on the size of your calendar (see step 1). You'll need 21 text boxes for the 12 months, 7 days of the week and 2 descriptive labels. Create 5 to 10 medium-size text boxes for the years and 13 even smaller ones for the daily numerals.
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3
Create borders around the text boxes by choosing the "Format Textbox" command and selecting the desired size and weight of the border. Leave enough space between the text boxes to cut them apart after printing. A typical calendar may require from four to eight pages to hold all of the text boxes.
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4
Type the information in the text boxes. Label the large boxes as follows: Today is:; The date is:; Sunday; Monday; Tuesday; Wednesday; Thursday; Friday; Saturday; January; February; March; April; May; June; July; August; September; October; November; December.
Label the smallest boxes with numerals. These show the date. Enter the digit "1" in two of the boxes; "2" in two; and one each of "0," "3," "4," "5," "6," "7," "8" and "9." These cover all potential calendar dates.
Use the mid-sized text boxes for year designations, beginning with the current year.
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5
Print out your document on heavy paper and cut the text boxes apart. Attach the appropriate adhesive mounting tool to the back of each one: magnetic strips or pieces to use on a metallic surface, felt buttons or strips to use on a felt board.
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Display the calendar on a metal door or appliance, a poster mounted on the wall or any spot where users can view it easily. Change the pieces to reflect the correct day and date on a daily basis.
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Tips & Warnings
Add text boxes for season and weather to increase the orientation information available. Using images to reinforce the text can help to trigger conversations. Have the patient help change the information each day, if his/her condition permits.
Decorate the calendar or allow the patient to decorate it to his/her own tastes.
Letter and number the pieces by hand if no printer is available. Use a wide-tip marker.
Glue the text boxes to the mounting tools if adhesive products are unavailable.
Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation notes that reality orientation benefits a patient in the early stages of dementia. In later stages, the calendar may be more confusing than helpful.
Small mounting tools present a choking hazard to young children. Select a method suitable for use with the youngest member of the household, such as magnetic strips versus small magnetic buttons. Felt-board or flannel-board formats provide a safe option.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit summertime image by Andrew Kazmierski from Fotolia.com
