If you're interested in the helping professions but don’t have an advanced training, there’s great opportunity for you in a non-medical senior care business.
This is the list you should be checking out if you want simple and enjoyable craft projects that will enliven your free time!
Care Plans Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
Share the love with a DIY senior care package for your elderly loved ones. Get ideas and inspiration whether they’re in a nursing home, hospital, or at home.
Care Plans Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
If you're like most older people, you want to age in place in your current home. That is, live in your home for as long as possible, even as you grow older and your needs change. But what does that mean, exactly? Why is aging in place important? How
Here’s an overview of the various creative gadgets for the elderly living alone. I have listed some assistive devices for the elderly and traditional Here’s an overview of the various creative gadgets for elderly living alone. I have listed some assistive devices for elderly and traditional elder care equipment that allows your loved one live independently.
Here's what you need to know about services that can support an older adult's social and emotional needs.
Care Plans Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
Care Plans Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
One-on-One Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
Care Plans Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
As we age, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of giving and receiving gifts. But when it comes to selecting the perfect present for an elderly neighbor, it can be tri...
Keep your mind and body sharp with fun memory games and activities for older adults. Make in home fun with these unique activities for senior citizens.
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.
Caregiver created list of dozens of dementia activity ideas.
Looking for some appropriate gifts to take to a nursing home? Need a gift idea for a special resident on your holiday shopping list? Look no further than these ten appropriate gifts for the elderly! Whether the occasion is a holiday, a birthday, or just to say "I Love You", this list should help you with your shopping. Many of these items can be found at dollar stores, so you can combine a few for a fabulous gift basket! 1. Toiletries Toiletries such as lip balm (especially seasonal flavors!), lotion, deodorant, body spray, aftershave, etc. are always a good gift idea. Do however make sure that the recipient is not allergic and can safely have these items. Many facilities have a locking cabinet for certain toiletries to make sure they are not stolen or ingested accidentally. Go ahead and take the initiative and label bottles with the recipient's name. If you shop around, you can piece together an entire gift basket full of toiletries for half the price of pre-packaged gift sets. (Read here for ideas on making a care box or gift basket for the elderly). This gives you the opportunity to fully customize the contents--leaving out stuff that aren't needed and including things your recipient would enjoy more. 2. Stuffed Animals Most people enjoy a little love. Or at least something cute or funny to look at when they wake up in the morning (that's why we all get married, right?) Teddy bears or similar plushies can make a drab nursing home room seem a bit friendlier. Don't just grab the first stuffed toy that you see though. Try to find something that would really be appreciated. Are you buying a Christmas gift for an elder who loved cats? Then naturally, a realistic cat plushie weighted to sit on the back of a recliner would be better than a lamb or a frog or teddy bear. For those with dementia, a plushie with long hair that can be combed might be soothing. Although cute and fun to begin with, stuffed animals that sing or light up can quickly become tiresome, especially if they can't be quieted until they've finished their repertoire. If you really think a resident would like a plushie that sings or talks, make sure it has a shut-off button. 3. Attractive Blankets Fleece throws are cheap and come in a variety of colors and prints that are suitable for men or women. A fleece blanket is probably the number one gift recommendation for the elderly. Even if the person on your shopping list already has one or two, don't discount the idea of getting another. Blankets need to be laundered, and sometimes it takes a day or two for clean items to get back to the resident's rooms. Plus, nice blankets and throws also serve a decorative purpose. Having several prints and colors to choose from allows the nursing home resident the chance to change up some of their decor. We all like a change of scenery every now and then! 4. Flower Arrangement Like plushies, flowers can liven up a room. Men might not really want a bunch of silk flowers hanging around, but it is a good idea for the ladies on your list. Just make sure the container is something that can be rinsed easily if dusty (wicker isn't a great idea). Make sure the flowers look like decorative centerpieces, not cheesy "get well" flowers. Don't just make it about the flowers. Use a container that will look good throughout the seasons, and you can change out the actual flowers every so often to provide another refreshing change of scenery that is not too overwhelming. 5. Puzzles and Games Jigsaw puzzles are always popular, as are board games and puzzle books. If you are donating second-hand puzzles, make sure all the pieces are in the original box (for photo reference) and don't look tatty. Second-hand games are okay too, as long as they are in good condition and the pieces are all present. Puzzle books should be new. Games are not only entertaining. They provide a little incentive for the elderly to socialize. Some game ideas may include: Monopoly Life Dominoes Card games Jenga Checkers (Standard and Chinese) Chess Scrabble Trivia Games Backgammon The best part about board games is that even the simple ones provide an element of mental stimulation, something that could be beneficial in delaying cognitive decline. 6. Reading Books Keep an eye open at book and library sales for large print editions of books. Don't assume that the elderly only like Chicken Soup books either. I know plenty of seniors who enjoy horror, romance, biographies, and westerns too. Audio books are a wonderful alternative to print books, especially if the reader is so visually impaired that even large text is difficult to read. Audio books can be donated to an individual, or to the nursing home (along with a CD player and headphones) for everyone to enjoy. 7. Arts and Crafts Supplies or Kits Again, check with the nursing home before gifting anything that could be dangerous, and avoid anything that could cause burns (wood burning pens and hot glue guns are might not be good ideas). Also, make sure that the kits include all the supplies needed to finish the project. Don't choose something that needs the use of a kitchen, because residents will most likely not have access to the kitchen area. Shop around for kits that either fit the individual's preferences, or donate a variety of kits to the home that residents can choose from: Suncatchers Knitting and crochet supplies Plastic canvas Wooden figurines boxes, frames, and plaques to paint Plaster figures Jewelry making supplies Fly tying supplies Blank sketchpads and pencils Adult coloring books and colored pencils 8. Stationery and Other Writing Supplies Nice paper and envelopes are a terrific gift for the elderly. Be a real hero and include a book of stamps too. It can be very difficult for a nursing home resident to acquire stamps. Blank cards are also a welcome. These can be post cards, or blank greeting cards. (Remember, some seniors are unable to leave the facility to shop for birthday and holiday cards, yet they may want to send these out just as they did before they went to long-term care. They also enjoy giving their fellow residents cards for special occasions. If you are buying for a relative, you could also include a new address book, already filled in with names and addresses. One of the saddest things I saw in nursing homes were residents who had never been notified when a loved one moved or changed their phone number. Those people became as good as lost if the nursing home staff couldn't track them down. Other ideas in this category could include some nice pens and pencils, blank journals, and a nice box to keep all the supplies in. 9. Flashlight When I worked in the nursing home, flashlights and reading lights were highly requested items. For those with poor vision, a flashlight can help them locate a dropped item easily. For the person who shares a room, a flashlight or reading light is a way for them to sneak in an extra hour or so of reading or puzzles without disturbing their room-mate. There are tons of flashlights on the market. Those with LED bulbs produce a very bright light and can go longer on a set of batteries. So, unless there is a safety issue involved, a light can be a thoughtful gift. Night lights are helpful as well. They come in many decorative styles and colors, and the bulbs are inexpensive and long-lived. 10. Companionship All the trinkets in the world will not replace the best gift for the elderly in nursing homes. A visit to the facility is the most precious thing you can give to a nursing home resident. If you can't visit personally, try arranging for other people, such as church members, neighbors, friends, etc. to drop in occasionally. Physical company, conversation, hand-holding, hugs, and laughter can't be wrapped up with bows, but they will be treasured forever. *This post may contain affiliate links. Buying through my link earns me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure here.* Need more gift ideas? Check out these gift-giving guides for the elderly too! 12 Awesome Gifts for Seniors in Nursing Homes Ultimate List of Stocking Stuffers for the Elderly Here are some tips for visiting a nursing home during the holidays: Long-Term Visits Do's and Don'ts For the Holidays
39 Best bed rest gift ideas that are practical, last longer than a bouquet of flowers and convey your love and support for your loved one who is bedridden.
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
Becoming a caregiver or need to know about caregiving duties to hire help? This free, printable Caregiver Responsibilities Checklist will come in handy.
If you have residents who like to fidget throughout the day, then try to provide them with simple activities that they can easily capture their attention while keeping their hands busy. Here are 3 types of activities from notjustbingo.com to … Read More
Dive into fun with our Pool Fishing Game for seniors! Whether you have an inflatable pool or a plastic basin.
10 whiteboard activity ideas. A compilation of ideas for activities to do on a whiteboard. A versitile tool for anyone working with others.
Share the love with a DIY senior care package for your elderly loved ones. Get ideas and inspiration whether they’re in a nursing home, hospital, or at home.
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
Looking for senior gift ideas? Here is a selection of gift ideas for nursing home residents for Christmas, birthdays and other occasions.
Although afternoons may be nap time for some, try to liven up your facility around two or three in the afternoon with fun afternoon socials. Here are a few guidelines to follow while trying to create fun afternoon socials for your residents. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
Old Wives Tales are thought to originate from the fact older women would pass down their advice to the younger generation.Enjoy sharing these popular wives’ tales with your senior residents in aged care, have a laugh and see if anyone can guess if these are true or false. A printable A4 version of the quiz...
Hobbies are a great way for seniors to stay active and engaged, learn new skills, cultivate a sense of purpose, and foster meaningful social connections with others. Here are our top suggestions.
Nursing Home Entertainment Ideas for Seniors
Looking for inexpensive gifts for senior citizens? This list of ideas are perfect for any holiday or special occasion!
Decorating a nursing home room can help create a more personal, welcoming environment for the elderly. Read here for do's and don'ts...
Learn what to include in care packages for elderly in quarantine no matter if they are quarantined at home or in a facility.
As caregivers in the senior care industry, it's important to encourage seniors to share these memories and pass down their wisdom to future generations. In this blog, we'll explore some of the common phrases our mothers used to say and the valuable life lessons they contain, with a focus on how these memories can benefit seniors in aged care.
When my husband's Mom went into the nursing home, I realized that bringing care packages and gifts to her was a great way to help an elderly woman adapt to a place she really didn't
Gift baskets are a great means to ensure that your elderly loved one has what they need and more in a very special way.
Care Plans Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
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 ›
Each assisted living facility has certain residents who wake up hours before breakfast and are looking for things to do. Here are 9 activity ideas to incorporate into your activity program before breakfast for your early risers. Get more senior activity ideas at notjustbingo.com TODAY!
Practical and meaningful, here is a list of useful gift ideas all elderly will apprecaite. You can also take these along to a nursing home or old age home
Here are the programs and services that can make life easier for older adults.
