Hi, Michele, I would try to distract the person with a snack, or an activity that involved him/her in ‘helping out’ for instance, helping to cut some pictures from magazines and calendars for a poster or watching a TV show of his/her liking. Consider if the person had enough sleep or if there is a trigger to make them talkative/ agitated. Overall, you cannot run a leisure session with interruptions. If possible hey should be escorted away or gathered into another group for a volunteer or another staff to lead.
I am sorry for your troubles. To lead an activity for over two hours on your own is too long in my opinion.
Activities should go for 45-50 minutes if residents are engaged in it. Otherwise, change the activity. With the length of time you have, I would recommend you request a couple of volunteers and divide residents into two or three groups.
Regarding noisy elders, they should be in a group of their own playing cards, balloon baseball, or Bingo and facilitated by a volunteer.
Well done Melanie! I once had a session where 123 words were found and meanwhile, we had lots of fun. You can try the words 'tambourine' or 'catastrophe' next time.
Excellent idea Julie, with so much scope. You can later introduce some food of the countries represented or listen to their music. Thank you for sharing.
Hi, Val, this is a growing challenge for Activity staff. I assume you already have the Multilingual flashcards or Cue cards with medical-related and some social issues. They are beneficial but not enough; they don’t replace individualized care. Here are other strategies for you to consider: 1 - Hire Bilingual staff/interpreters 2 - Staff to learn some phonetically sounding words in the language required 3 - Connect the resident with culturally specific community/clubs/churches 4 - Requesting bilingual volunteers from government bodies and Community boards (in churches/supermarkets) 5 - Encourage residents’ families to visit more often - 6 - Search local libraries for magazines, music, videos and movies in the language required.
Hi Jackie, that's the first time I hear that. All the activities that you mentioned have to be planned and facilitated so the residents can attend them. How can they not be in the Monthly Activity Planner? Who is going to remind, escort, encourage, and make sure residents are well dressed and prepared for the occasions? Are your instructions from management or from government bodies? What are the reasons given to support such antagonistic instructions?
Hi Tammi, thank you for the checklist, very practical. A good start so we can add other things like items necessary for Bus Trips, Picnics, Religious services, and more. Thank you very much for sharing.
Hi, Kadisha, I understand your frustration. However the more cognitively and functionally dependent residents are, the more critical leisure activities become in their lives. You could try private invitations or start visiting residents on 1:1 basis (when you have the time) to establish what sort of barriers they perceive to attend activities. I would suggest, a ‘sandwich making session’ to attract some residents to help you and meanwhile you can offer a quiz/short story/limericks for the ones not involved with the sandwiches. You may find that the residents making the sandwiches will enjoy the quiz just as much as the others. Also, a meeting with the residents appealing for suggestions may also disclose some activities of choice. Another tactic would be to announce a 'Tournament': carpet bowls, or balloon volleyball. It is always a winner; be enthusiastic and build up their expectation.
Hi, JD, you could try activities that need very little instructions like when the group can use self-expression and strive towards independence with the material/tools available. In a group setting offer some air clay for them to mold the way they want to or set up a tea/coffee table where they can serve themselves a drink. It will give them a wonderful sense of satisfaction. Some activities that needs minimal instructions: Dancing/karaoke/ Songs reminiscing Ball playing: volleyball, bouncing balloons to each other Sitting exercises Painting - water colouring/mosaics Beading (jewelry making) Gardening Pet interaction By the way JD, there are some âchildlikeâ characteristics that are conducive to a better life. Elders should be encouraged to give themselves permission to be childlike (not childish) and recapture the sense of fun, curiosity and wonder.
I just wanted to say thank you for all you do to help me and others in my field! The support of your resource has been even more important during COVID and I am so, so thankful. Also thank you for creating a Spanish version of This Day in History!!! I recommend you to my colleagues any chance I get.
Hannah Voelker Life Enrichment Director United States
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Hi, Michele, I would try to distract the person with a snack, or an activity that involved him/her in ‘helping out’ for instance, helping to cut some pictures from magazines and calendars for a poster or watching a TV show of his/her liking. Consider if the person had enough sleep or if there is a trigger to make them talkative/ agitated. Overall, you cannot run a leisure session with interruptions. If possible hey should be escorted away or gathered into another group for a volunteer or another staff to lead.