How it works
PLAY
2+ players
Singles or Pairs
The purpose of Herding Cats is to inform those new to dementia, validate the experiences of those already familiar, and provide some levity for those who live and work in this reality.
This game is specifically designed for those who wish to become more familiar with elements of Dementia within long-term care environments in the Western US.
Your main cards are called “Shift Hours”, and although the average shift in Memory Care is somewhat unpredictable, you will begin with eight.
In Longterm care, workers must complete tasks each shift that differ by time of day. We are responsible for caring for individuals with Cognitive Decline at ratios of over 10 : 1, and are sometimes left alone. “Task cards” are duties of personal care that must be completed in order, for each resident in Memory Care, sometimes more than once per shift. The goal is to provide the best care of your patients, in the time given.
The only way to 'win' the game is to collect complete sequences of “Task Cards” (labeled as such), which is then called a “Shift Task”, representing the amount of cared-for patients.
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Surprises are a constant in this setting, so they are incorporated into the regular Task Hours as well! While playing, you will encounter some of the many surprise issues and barriers that occur in these settings. These cards have instructions such as "add more shift hours" or "take an hour from player left".
The last category of cards are called "Meowzeltov's" which include the experience-based skills that can be learned after years of experience with Dementia. These will act as 'wild' cards, which can help to complete "Shift Task" sequences. While collecting Shift Tasks (full sequences of Task Cards) for each of your imaginary patients, you might not gather all necessary task cards quickly enough to compete. You can use your 'wild' (Meowzeltov) cards to replace a Task Card if needed, to complete a sequence.
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The game ends when any player runs out of cards (Shift Hours), but they are not the winner. Finishing a shift is not the goal. When the game ends, the player with the most completed Shift Tasks (all task cards in order) has won. Any Shift Hours or Meowzeltovs that have not been laid on the table as complete Shift Tasks, do not count toward winning points.
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Goal: Provide complete care to as many patients as possible, by gathering complete "Shift Tasks" (bathed my resident, fed my resident, measured my resident's vitals, dressed my resident, etc.).
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Game Requirements
The logic for this game was designed with consideration to the absence of sense in this setting. Whether you've lost your marbles or the cards, you'll still be able to play. You only need:
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- Shift Hours cards
- Task cards
Helpful but not necessary:
- Cognitive Assessment MEOW quiz
- Meowzeltov cards
- Pen for your MEOW Assessment
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Game FAQ
In an effort to keep the booklet minimalist in text, game minutiae was cut.
What if I draw consequence cards on first deal?
Example:
(draw 2 ; lose shift task ; pick from player left's cards)
Yep, you gotta follow them! (with some exceptions)
For a longer game, you can choose to follow all the consequences of your first 8 cards, however this is up to the players, given the time available. If not, everyone can discard their consequence cards and draw the remainder to make for the beginning 8 cards.
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"Pick from player left's cards" and "Draw 2/3" apply at any time, so if they're in your first hand, keep drawing! Sometimes we show up to a clinical shift in memory care, only to find that we've been volun-told to work a Double (16hrs)... so good luck!
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Ultimately, do what you like! Following the card instructions makes the game last longer, since it was designed to be short and breaktime-friendly.
What if I don't have a "Shift Task" to lose?
"Lose Shift Task" will not apply until you have gathered Task Cards: help with ADLs, Shower & Toilet, Brief & Clothing. aka a full rainbow (half = 'PM') or a rainbow with Light Blue (Water), Pink (ADLs), and Brown (Food).
Example: I have no sequence (AM shift) of Task Cards yet, and I drew a "Lose Shift Task" consequence card.
What if?
Example:
INTRODUCTION
How to Start
AM vs PM shift points
Disclaimer
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Educational materials for this game are listed in the physical booklet, which references the following, wonderful resources that the creator urges researching:
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