Ideas needed for 'activities with elderly care home residents'.?

	Ideas needed for 'activities with elderly care home residents'.? I have recently been employed as an Activities Coordinator in a care home for the elderly. Some of them have dementia, some of them are totally reliant on wheelchairs and assistance in everything they do and some are perfectly ok other than being elderly. I've not done this job before and Im finding it difficult to get the ball rolling and please so many people! I'd love some ideas from anyone, pleeeease. Thanks so much :) Asked By: NHH76 - 8/23/2010

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I was an activities directory years ago and it was the most rewarding job I have ever had. First let me say that these fine people deserve respect above all. Many times they are treated and spoken to like children. Now to the fun stuff. I looked at the patient care books to see what types of activities they had done in the past. It was boring, so I spent three days introducing myself to each resident and getting to know them. I asked them what activities they would enjoy doing and they had plenty suggestions. I started each day with a group in the dining room. We had coffee, juice, pastries and fruit served. I would get the daily local newspaper and read the headlines. If anyone was interested to hear details, I would read the full article. They really seemed to enjoy this and it kept them up to date on local, state, national and international events. Many have lost their vision to the point it is difficult to read but the had a strong interest in hearing me read the paper. ( don't overlook the sports section) Pet therapy is a wonderful experience for the residents. There are many fine people that will volunteer their time to bring in a dog or cat for a visit. Some residents were very withdrawn from people but responded well to animals. If you can have a permanent pet at your facility that would be a wonderful gift to everyone there. Invite local schools to perform at your facility. The band, chorus, drill team, drama club, anything they want to do. Residents usually love seeing kids and find their performance very entertaining. The schools are always willing to participate as a community service. One activity they really loved was balloon volleyball. It is easy to do indoors with an open space like the dining room. Line chairs and wheelchairs in 2 lines about 10' apart. If you can arrange a net great, but it isn't necessary. Play just as you would a standard volleyball game, except serve from the front line. It is easy, the balloon won't hurt anyone if they are hit. I took the men fishing on Father's Day on a long dock at the city park. They had a blast. I borrowed fishing gear from friends and added it to what I had. Do not promise them to eat their catch, I did and was told by the kitchen staff that no fish with bones could be served. I hurried to the fish market, bought loads of flounder and had it served. They never knew, but had a wonderful meal. Encourage family participation every chance you get. I planned a family reunion for everyone to attend. It was great. We grilled burgers outside, kids running around, awards for the most offspring, oldest and youngest grandchild, the most children...lots of fun. We grew a garden too. Started by letting them plant seeds in peat pots that we later transplanted to the grounds outside. They took great pride in their contribution to a beautiful oasis in which they could escape from the "white coats" and enjoy. Hopefully you have a van to transport residents with. If you do, take every opportunity to get them out for a while. Watch a local holiday parade, or just go for a joy ride. It is heaven for them. This is getting to be a really long answer so let me end this by saying this...get to know each resident personally. You are their hero. You are the only one in the facility that is dedicated to seeing they have some fun in their life. Think outside the box. Ask them what they would like to do. Treat them as adults and with respect. Answered By: Patricia - 8/23/2010

Additional Answers ()

My mum- in - law was in a wonderful home for two years at the end of her life; these are some of the many activities and treats laid in for her and the other residents Garden Party - on a sunny day, they had a tea with lovely ' posh' sandwiches and cakes, some games and entertainment ( a lady singer, who sang old songs and got them to join in, and some girls from a local dance academy ) All residents dressed up in their best things, many wore hats! Regular entertainment in the lounge - choirs from local schools, a gospel choir from the Baptist Church were very popular, as were the Latin American dance demos ! Manicures and make- overs Crafts were encouraged - even those who could just knit or crochet a bit kept their hands busy Things they made were used in the annual Christmas Fair or Easter Parade Aromatherapy and other treatments - the local college sent students to practise on them Regular trips out in the mini- bus Answered By: christine lrice cake queen - 8/25/2010

Make them smile. Bring in some children from the schools to sing to them. Answered By: Sally Anne - 8/24/2010

Your not going to please all of them so don't even start to try. I have found that a lot of them like to play Bingo. For prizes they like bananas and small stuffed animals and quarters. A lot of them like to sing or just listen to someone else sing. Some are able to do gardening or window gardens. Birthday parties, make cards, decorate cookies. Get community volunteers involved with the Bingo games, they can bring prizes and treats like cupcakes for the residents playing Bingo. Answered By: Nan's cat Tigger - 8/24/2010

Hi, I am a care worker of the communtiy, so speaking from experiance different things seem to work to assist the elderly. Dominos and draughts are usually a good activity to fill their time as a lot of the elderly would have played this during their spare time themselves. I once set up a activity for time lines, where we sorted through pictures and life events (major ones like Marriage, Childrens Births, Grandchildren etc) then added through extra personal special days, i.e retirement days or anything else that is special to them. Choir singing, or entertainment ran by the elderly themselves is a great way to get people out of themselves, i.e if someone used to play the piano/guitar or anything. You could also organise for a local school/brownies/scouts to come in and put on a little show for them? Hope this helps. Good Luck x Source(s): Personal experiance Answered By: Lora - 8/23/2010

Some could play Monopoly or cards with each other and some could draw pictures with crayons. And there's the games I used to play at summer camp around the fire: one person starts a story, then the next continues, and it goes around until it's really funny. And have some music on in the background from the 50s to the 80s (or an oldies radio station). Answered By: Court - 8/23/2010

Make a set of activity cards for exercises. Each card has a movement on with the number of repetitions (do them to music) Each person is dealt a card and you work round the group. Make a set of recognition cards. This could be old film stars of the 1930s or 40s and so on. You could work with these cards as part of a group or individually. Music and movement is always fun. Just work out a routine and bobs your uncle. Source(s): Technical instructor in Physiotherapy. Answered By: The End - 8/23/2010

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