Autumn is here and it’s time to start planning fun fall events for your residents. If you’re looking for ideas, simply use upcoming observances as inspiration for your senior activities. For instance, try out the following seven themes as a … Read More
It's a huge bonus to have an activity staff that can help with the planning of an activity program. Here are a few tips for getting your activity staff to help you plan activities. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
As an Activity Coordinator, things can get really busy and there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. It’s hard to sneak away time at your desk for notes or planning because every activity is so hands on. Well, I have come up with a list of 10 activities most seniors should be able to do independently so you can take some time to work at your desk, plan activities or just catch up on emails. 1. Gardening Club I just set out supplies on a table, zip lock of dirt, flower pot, seeds, water, maybe some small plants. Sometimes I leave markers, stickers or paint so they can decorate the flower pots. They come in, chat, share stories and enjoy getting their hands dirty. I put down plastic table cloths I get from the dollar store to make clean up a piece of cake. 2. Card Games Again, I just set the tables with any supplies they need, (cards, card holders, automatic shufflers, score pads, list of rules and pencils) and let them enjoy. The games most popular with my group is Hand & Foot, Bridge and Spades. 3. Travel Video Experience This one is really fun for my group. I use a travel video, sometimes documentary style, sometimes just images/vlog style. I pick a food from that location, ex. for our video about Berlin, Germany I put out a selection of sausages and some pretzels. I also put out some beer or an apple juice punch (for those who can’t have alcohol). I decorated the snack table with little German signs and little volkswagon toy cars and such. Again, I just set the table and start the video, they help themselves to snacks. I’ll try to link some of the videos we have done, the Travel Experiences have been a really big hit with them, and it’s a nice little break for me too! 4. Word Games/Picture Finds I have several of these on my site, sometimes I download them from www.teacherspayteachers.com. It’s an easy activity they can do on their own. They like to sip coffee and gossip while they work on them. 5. Card Making I just set out the supplies on the table that they like to use (cardstock, glue sticks, scissors, stickers, stamps, scrapbook paper, etc.). We have a resident who keeps a list of anyone that is sick or has a birthday coming up and each person in the group picks a person on the list to make a card for. 6. Happy Stitcher Group We have a group of ladies that enjoy knitting. They get together about once a week and knit baby blankets which we later donate to local charity groups. This is a very independent group activity. 7. Prayer Group We have a box in our main hallway that residents drop prayer requests into. Each week our Prayer Group meets to go through the requests and pray together for each other. I usually provide them some refreshments but otherwise this is a resident led, independent activity. 8. Flower Arrangements This is not an activity that we are able to do terribly often, but it’s great fun when we do. I have established a rapport with some of our local florists in our area. When their flowers get to a point where they can not sell them but they are still good for a week or so, or they may be cut short and were scraps from another arrangement, they donate them to us. We usually get a fair amount so I just spread them out on the table, give my ladies some recycled plastic bottles and let them go to town. 9. Put on a Short Play This is something my residents are doing right now. It’s a very short comedic play (3 scenes) or so. Not much props (I am helping with those). They have weekly play practice on their own and I just help with the set up. 10. Laugh Lines Group This group meets to laugh and socialize together every 2 weeks or so. I look up a bunch of appropriate jokes, print them out and stick them in our Funny Fish Bowl. They take turns taking out jokes and reading them to the group. I usually leave out punch and maybe some pretzels or goldfish. They love reading the jokes and laughing together. It’s always a great time! Hope these inspire some activities at your facility!
As an activity director, simplicity is bliss. Therefore, try adopting the following motto: K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Silly! In fact, when coordinating activities for your residents, try to minimize your paper trail by using these three items. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
Hosting a party for seniors can be so much fun, but let’s be honest, it can also feel a bit daunting. You want to make sure everyone’s having a blast, but finding the right mix of activities that are both fun and accessible can be a challenge. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
From spooky Halloween spiders to fun and easy Halloween papercrafts to coloring pages and word games, you will find creative ideas for all ability levels.
10 free and easy group activities for the elderly and seniors. Great for nursing homes and assisted living retirement communities, activity directors
In most senior care communities, there are residents who prefer solitude or have introverted tendencies. These individuals enjoy being in their bedrooms and often choose not to actively seek interactions with others. In this article we cover: Loners vs. Introverts: An Important Distinction Common Reasons for Choosing Solitude Mental Illness and Social Alienation Considerations Isolation in Senior Care: Addressing the Challenges 15 Activities for Loners and Introverts
Ideas to help you plan an epic Senior Sunrise that unites the class as they embark on their senior year!
Are you interested in getting your residents excited about upcoming activities on your monthly activity calendar? Follow these tips to make your monthly calendars more appealing to your residents. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
Our brains, just like our bodies need exercise! ‘Neurobics' is a type of exercise designed to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive performance. Research indicates that people who pursue intellectual challenges live longer and maintain a sharper mind. Intellectual activities can include reading, solving riddles and puzzles, playing chess, debating and learning a new language. So, don't let routine take over the lives of your clients! Offer activities that require some conscious effort to stimulate cell growth. Here are some ideas to be incorporated into your Activities Program.
At times during the month, it is necessary to supply residents with activities to meet their spiritual needs. Here are a few types of spiritual activities that you can add to your current activity program. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
Need Wonder activities for your classroom or home school Wonder teaching resources? We have Wonder lesson plans, Wonder worksheets, and more ideas for book projects, kindness activities for middle school, and diversity lessons to make a great study unit for students using both the novel by RJ Palacio and teaching with movies (including the popular precepts project!).
Everyone responds instinctively to music. A person’s ability to engage in music often remains intact far into the advanced stages of dementia. Music triggers certain networks of the brain that benefit people suffering from difficulties with language, cognition, or motor control.
As your residents' dementia progresses, it can be challenging to find appropriate activities that are simple, yet meaningful. Try providing activities that appeal to their five senses. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
Perfect for ALL Ages - Senior Citizens Get a Kick out of Carnivals too!Many people believe carnivals are only ideal for young children. However, we've discovered that this absolutely isn't the case! We have had nursing homes, elderly care centers and seni…
We work hard at planning activities we know residents will enjoy. There is usually a core group of residents who attend and engage in these activities, but there are some who regularly decline invitations. Once they get to an activity, they enjoy themselves, yet they remain reluctant. Here are some simple techniques to improve reluctant resident engagement over time.
Drawing is a relaxing activity that many older adults enjoy. As well as an emotional release, drawing also provides opportunities for social connection in group settings. Learn how to lead a drawing session for seniors by following the guidelines in this article. In this article we cover: The Benefits of Drawing Activities The Benefits of Drawing Activities 3 Drawing Activities for Dementia Care 4 Drawing Activities for High Functioning Residents
Chair exercise for seniors, or seated exercises, offer a safe and accessible way for older adults to stay physically fit. These low-impact workouts can improve strength, balance, and cardiovascular health, thus enhancing the quality of life and functional abilities of the elderly..
Oktoberfest is coming and it’s time to get your facility ready for this fun, annual celebration. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest actually starts in September, so you better get a move … Read More
Teaching fractions with hands-on manipulatives and activities helps students develop a conceptual understanding that will endure.
Use your Cricut cutting machine to make colored pencil art easy for seniors living with dementia. Art creation - with results she is happy with - is one of those things dementia has stolen from
Working in occupational therapy and dementia care is such a rewarding area. OTPs can use a variety of tools to help our patients and using puzzles as an
Organizing a party for senior citizens is a delightful way to bring people together and create lasting memories. The key to a successful event lies in
This fun Balloon Bounce singing time idea will be an absolute hit! In this Primary song review game kids will try to keep the balloon afloat!
Independent and Assisted Living Activity Calendar Click on Calendar to Enlarge
Looking for fun Comparing Numbers Worksheets and Center Activities for Kids? These hands on, interactive ideas are engaging and fun while working on skills.
Find nutritious and delicious meal ideas for seniors. Discover 18 easy, tasty, and healthy meals designed specifically for older adults.
Wait until you discover the physical, mental, and social benefits of this gentle martial art.
Teach students and kids about careers with these 19 free worksheets and lesson plans. Career exploration for students to do.
ACTIVITY OUTLINE Title: Musical Bingo Domain: cognitive, music Population: Adult Mental Health (Forensics) Category: memory, leisure activity, reality orientation Materials: pre-made Bingo cards, chords to all songs on sheets, guitar, bingo card markers, papers with songs/artists to draw, prizes for winners Procedures: 1. Let clients choose a Bingo card and give them place markers 2. Begin drawing songs and singing them 3. Clients mark off either song names, singers, or both from their cards. 4. When someone gets 5 in a row, they yell “BINGO!” 5. Check to make sure they had all of their answers correct. If they do, they win and get a prize. Behavioral Observation: Participation, reality orientation, leisure skills, memory Source: Songs by various artists, compiled for specific population by me Submitted by: Bethany Clayton; 3/23/2010 Bingo cards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
I want to tell you about my "Senior Meetings" at the start of the school year and how I manage to make them productive.
The Care Plan is an excellent place to demonstrate how activities can be therapeutic for the residents you serve. In this article we cover: Understanding Care Plan Interventions Why Are Activity-Based Interventions Important? 9 Activity-Based Intervention Examples 7 Best Practices for Intervention Development
Here's a list of 52 fellowship activities that groups in my church have used through the years. This list is meant to serve as an idea starter for your group so you can come up with your own activities and plans for implementing them. The key is to do it together.
Golden Carers adds new activities for seniors weekly to help you keep things fresh and stimulating. Be inspired with meaningful ideas for any occasion.
When I saw this Kandinsky inspired color study project is popular among primary school teachers, I couldn’t wait to try it with senior citizens. I had no idea if they’d enjoy it, or thi…
Full of fresh ideas, diverse pairings, and helpful resources, engage high school students with these fun activities for teaching Beowulf!
