Considerations Before the IPPI

There are a number of general principles to keep in mind before the intervention:

Consider the following possible distractions:

• Background noise
• Visual distractions ((e.g., pictures or posters on the wall)
• Tactile distractions (e.g., Are the instruments within reach?)
• Poor lighting
• Outside noises or distractions.

Consider the following factors:

• Are hearing aids or any other assistive devices in place (if needed)?
• Is the resident in the middle of a visit?
• Current behavior/mood/ability
• If the activity can be done outside, consider the weather

Introduce yourself and the IPPI activity to the resident.

• For example, “Good morning, Mrs. Smith, my name is Mary and I thought you would enjoy spending some time with me sharing your memories of going to Atlantic City.” 
• If you have to move the resident to the area in which you’ll be doing the activity, reintroduce yourself when you get there, and reiterate what you will be doing together.

Give the resident a choice.

• Providing the opportunity for choice empowers the resident to play an active role in her activity involvement.  At times it may seem as if the resident cannot make any choice without assistance, and that may be true.  However, you can create situations for successful decision making by simplifying the way you present the choices. 
• Limit the choices to only two items or topics, and you use the props as visual, auditory, or tactile cues.

Have a prepared list of questions to stimulate memory recall.

• Start with open-ended questions. 
• Sometimes the resident may not be able to answer these questions without some verbal cues.  In such cases it is helpful to have a prepared list of specific questions.
• Most of the protocols in this manual come with a list of related questions.  You can use them as examples or develop your own questions.