Caregiver created list of dozens of dementia activity ideas.
10 free and easy group activities for the elderly and seniors. Great for nursing homes and assisted living retirement communities, activity directors
Brookside Stone Mountain has a Full Itinerary of Outdoor & Indoor Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living Facility Which Include Events at Restaurants & Local Parks & Exercise Classes.
Laughing doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter has been clinically proven to strengthen your immune system, activate and relieve your stress response and stimulate many organs. In this article we cover: Sometimes Laughter is the Best Medicine 10 Benefits of Laughter Tips for Adding Humour to your Facility 12 Activities to Make People Laugh The Importance Of Laughter In Long Term Care Facilities ›
Discover thousands of free activities for seniors to enjoy in aged care. Engage and entertain the elderly with a range of enjoyable quizzes, arts and crafts, social reminiscing, exercise and more.
10 whiteboard activity ideas. A compilation of ideas for activities to do on a whiteboard. A versitile tool for anyone working with others.
10 easy activities designed to infuse joy and healthy lifestyle habits into the lives of nursing home residents.
Caregiver created list of dozens of dementia activity ideas.
Activities for cognitive stimulation during lockdown at nursing homes or assisted living homes. games, activities and more
Nursing Home Entertainment Ideas for Seniors
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
These fun, festive, & easy Easter crafts for seniors and other Easter activities are perfect for celebrating in care facilities, or at home!
Things to do and places to go during May with seniors and the elderly. Celebrate May Day and Mother's Day, be a bird watcher, visit antique stores, and more!
This is a really fun exercise activity for seniors to play in aged care, it’s a game that gives the players a great amount of physical stimulation and the excitement can build into a very competitive atmosphere. Equipment Needed: Some suggestions to buy direct from Amazon: How to Play:
Caregiver created list of dozens of dementia activity ideas.
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!
People with limited mobility, whether due to illness or frailty, often face feelings of isolation and boredom. To address these challenges and enhance their well-being, it is crucial to provide residents with meaningful and engaging activities that can significantly improve their quality of life.
Playing sit-down games along with other social activities has been found to be an effective way of reducing levels of depression among the elderly. With their increased safety and fun factor, it's no surprise that sitting down games are becoming so popular amongst seniors.
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 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!
When I started my first Activity Director job, I was only a few years out of college. While I had worked with seniors in a skilled nursing community before, nothing quite prepared me for taking on an Activity Director role. Here are a few things I wish someone had told me in those first few weeks, months, and years.
Caregiver created list of dozens of dementia activity ideas.
March Calendar Senior Activities, Elderly Activities, Activities for Activity Planners, Mardi Gras Party, St. Patrick's Day ideas and more
We often underestimate what a kind word, a touch, a smile, a sympathetic listening ear, or a compliment can do for mental health. During your working hours, you will see many clients outside of programmed activities; seize the opportunity and engage with them. It will only take a minute or two and can transform someone's state of mind and lift their spirits more than you can imagine.
For elders living in long term residential care the benefits of garden related activities are abounding. They include enhancing mental wellbeing, improving dexterity, lightening moods and alleviating symptoms of depression. Many care facilities are now providing especially designed ‘memory gardens’ and ‘wander gardens’ for residents with Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive illnesses. Starting a Garden Club at your facility is not a difficult task. This article includes: Ideas for Garden Club sessions Good Weather Garden Activities Bad Weather Garden Activities Tips for successful planting
Laughing doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter has been clinically proven to strengthen your immune system, activate and relieve your stress response and stimulate many organs. In this article we cover: Sometimes Laughter is the Best Medicine 10 Benefits of Laughter Tips for Adding Humour to your Facility 12 Activities to Make People Laugh The Importance Of Laughter In Long Term Care Facilities ›
Men’s activities are challenging! The best way to find meaningful activities for men is to uncover past lifestyle choices and history - you can gather this information from residents and their families. Here are 8 tips for engaging men in meaningful activities.
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
Sensory stimulation with familiar scents. A fun activity for seniors and the elderly living with dementia.
Golden Carers adds new activities for seniors weekly to help you keep things fresh and stimulating. Be inspired with meaningful ideas for any occasion.
I have set this up for the unit that I work in and our CEO loves it so much she wants me to set one up for each of the units over different sites. Customize them to suit you. Look forward to seeing what you all do.
Whiteboards are an indispensable tool for Activity Coordinators and can be used for group activities, communication and learning! In this article we cover: The Advantages of Using Whiteboards Types of Whiteboards How Whiteboards can be used by Activity Coordinators Five Whiteboard Games to Play
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.
Best activities for moderate to advanced dementia help to engage your loved one! FREE Caregiver Daily Log with matching activity
Daily cognitive activities in your activity program are important to keep your senior residents engaged, mindful, and alert. Here are a few cognitive activity ideas that can be used as one-on-one activities or group activities for your residents. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
When exercise is a suggested activity for people to attend in aged care I find residents usually comment “I’m too old for that” or” I can’t do that” but if you come up with a catchy name for the group you could be on to a winner activity. One of the most popular activities I...
Since my post highlighting creative activity carts, I’ve gotten lots of questions about how to create said carts. Thankfully some very wonderful Activity Professionals from Connecticut reached out to me and accepted my offer of an interview. (interview was conducted via video call, answers to questions have been summarized/paraphrased and approved by all participants) Meet Kathleen, Jordana and Sharon from Glen Hill Center in Danbury, CT. Kathleen – Director of Recreation at Glen Hill Center. She has 23 years experience working in recreation and a total of 35 years working in the senior population! She began her career, working as a CNA for 12 years in a skilled nursing facility. She was approached by close friend and Assistant Administrator, about a position in the Recreation Department knowing how creative Kathy was and what a caring heart she had for her elderly residents. She decided to go for the change in career and went back to school for Therapeutic Recreation. She remained at that facility for the next 3 years as a Recreation Assistant. She came to this facility when she offered the position of Director of Recreation and will be celebrating her 20th anniversary here in June! Jordana – Recreation Assistant with a total of 4.5 years experience in Senior Activities. Her prior career was in daycare services. She really enjoys the planning process, especially for big events and decorating. She loves working in the elderly setting and finds a lot of fulfillment in bringing joy to her residents. Sharon- Recreation Assistant with a total of 27 years experience in Senior Activities. Believe it or not, she was a bank teller in her former career. She really wanted to follow her creative compass and help people. After seeing a help wanted ad for a caring and creative person to work with the elderly, the rest is as they say, history. LLB (LoveLaughandBingo) : How long have you been doing these activity carts? GHC (Glen Hill Center) : We started in April of last year, 2020, about a month or so after the Covid lockdowns started. LLB: What was the first cart you designed and created? What was your inspiration? GHC: Our first cart was Spring Time in Paris. Our company sometimes sends us ideas or themes and that’s what sparked the idea. Sharon sewed some berets and we added snacks to fit the theme. The residents just loved it and it inspired us to really push ourselves creatively. LLB: Let’s talk about the planning process, walk me through where you start and how you manage your time. GHC: We come together a month prior to plan as a group. We get a lot of ideas and inspiration from The National Days Calendar (*link), Activity Connection (*link) and Pinterest (*link) of course! We are especially inspired by the National Days, for example March 14th is PI Day, so we will do a themed cart with a play on word for pie or a St. Patrick’s Day cart, or a Star Wars Cart (May the 4th, May the force be with you). We always add some themed snacks and plan out our decorations in advance. If we can dress up, we plan our outfits or costumes also. The themed snacks and costumes really add to the “experience” of the carts. We order everything we may need to create all aspects of the cart ahead so we have plenty of time to assemble. We try to plan 2, no more than 3 carts each month. We are Skilled Care, so we have other programs, assessments, progress notes, care plans, etc to do regularly. While it does take time, planning in advance and doing a little at a time has made making these carts possible for us. LLB: What are some tools or methods you’ve learned along the way? GHC: First, we have an very supportive Activity Director, which helps so much. We definitely like to see how far we can push it creatively, so we use our creative strengths. Sharon sews, so she makes a lot of the awnings and some accessories, ie. Oktoberfest/Lemonade cart. Pretty much every cart begins with a tablecloth (plastic ones from the dollar store https://www.orientaltrading.com/pleated-table-skirts-a2-13601695.fltr?categoryId=553743&rd=Table%20skirt great!) and a table skirt as a base. (You can find table skirts at www.orientaltrading.com) We use lots of packing tape to secure everything. We use foam boards to give a wider top so we have a little more surface area (foam boards can be found at most dollar storeshttps://www.dollartree.com/readi-board-white-foam-boards/809955 We have also taken some images, enlarged them and printed them to create character cut outs. We just glue them to the foam board and cut them out. We did this on the Wizard of Oz cart. LLB: Can you tell me some specific examples of materials you’ve used? GHC: For the Wizard of Oz cart we used cardstock to make the yellow brick road. We used tissue paper to make the poppies in the poppy field. For the Valentine’s Day cart we used foam board to make the candy box. We painted coffee filters and tissue paper to make the candy wrappers. We use a table top awning frame we purchased from Oriental Trading as a skeleton for most of our carts. We just change out the awnings and decoration for each cart. https://www.orientaltrading.com/black-and-white-awning-tabletop-kit-a2-13958562.fltr?keyword=AwningWe mostly shop for supplies at the dollar store and www.orientaltrading.com LLB: What would you tell other Activity Professionals wanting to try adding carts to their programs? GHC: Use your team’s strengths and let each other shine. Start small, check Pinterest for inspiration, plan ahead, even copy someone else! Do a little each day. The residents really deserve the extra pizzazz. Any effort made is so appreciated. The smile it brings to their faces is so worth it. It breaks up the monotony Covid can bring. It’s even a morale boost for the staff too! It makes us see each resident each week also which is helpful for progress and care planning. LLB: Will carts continue after Covid lockdowns are over and things are back to “normal”? GHC: Oh yes, definitely! After seeing how happy it has made them, we have to keep it going. It’s now another asset to a great activity program. Thank you so much to Kathleen, Jordana and Sharon at Glen Hill Center for taking the time to share your process and resources. It was so wonderful to come together and share with Activity Professionals who clearly have such passion and pride in their careers. Feel free to show them some love and like their facebook page! …..https://www.facebook.com/Myskillednursingcare/
Don't forget to schedule fun activities during the evening hours to keep your residents entertained and engaged. Here are a few activity ideas to add to your senior activity calendar. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
Developing an activities calendar that is age-appropriate for residents is so important. Singing nursery rhymes and coloring can be popular activities for older adults but we must ensure that these types of activities are conducted in dignified and age-appropriate ways. In this article we examples of how you can adapt activities that are often considered 'childish' to ensure they are age-appropriate: Music - Singing Nursery Rhymes Arts and Crafts – Coloring Doll Therapy for Dementia Care Watching Movies and Television
Discover some social activities for seniors that go beyond B6 and O75. You’ll find inspiration for yourself or your loved one.
Having trouble getting your male residents involved in your assisted living activities? Here are a few tips on how to increase the participation of your male residents. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing chaos worldwide and this is a hard time for so many. We need to hang in there - these crazy times will pass. Here are some in-room activitiy ideas for residents to enjoy while in isolation.
Looking for a fun team building activity? Try NaturalAnnie Essentials BYOB Sip & Pour candle making experience! Candle making is a fun activity for team building and is a great way to do something fun with your work team. In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace dynamics, employee well-being has emerged as a pa
This is a very popular light exercise game to play in aged care, it can be played standing and also seated on a chair. There are a few variations of the game, depending on which way you would like to play you can follow a few of our examples below. Equipment needed: A mat –...
Gentle exercise for the arms as well as an opportunity to socialize! This is a great for game for the elderly which is suitable for people living with dementia.
If you’re planning to host a summer carnival for your senior residents this year at your assisted living facility, be sure to include these 5 elements to make the event fun and memorable! Carnival Games Make sure to include fun … Read More
