Blog Post Published December 2012

Holiday Movie Recommendations for the Elderly

The Christmas break is a much anticipated time of the year. It is a happy time for adults and children. Along with the eating, drinking, writing cards, cooking, sending emails and engaging in togetherness, some people will reflect on the life of Jesus, others on the year that has been.

There is another activity that is also very popular at this time of year; watching movies.
There is something special about sitting down comfortably with some popcorn to watch a good movie with a few friends during the festive season; especially if the movie makes you laugh, lifts your spirits and inspires you.

The interpretation of a good movie varies from person to person. Some want a happy ending, or a triumph against all odds, a lesson in spiritual values, others want to laugh until they cry!
Fortunately, there is a movie for every taste.

Gather a group of people in front of a large screen, pull the curtains and make the occasion special by offering popcorn and some other finger foods such as pretzels, rum balls, and homemade cookies.

Invite relatives and friends to share this happy social time and have fun!
Here are some suggestions:

Christmas Themed Movies

It's a Wonderful Life
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Elf
Miracle on 34th Street
White Christmas
The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue

Home Alone (any of them)
It happened one Christmas
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
A Christmas Story
Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Holiday Movies

Awakenings
Pay It Forward
Me, Myself and Irene
A Fish Called Wanda
Some Like It Hot
Duck Soup ( Marx Brothers)
The Family Man
42nd Street
The gay Divorce
The Pink Panther
Gidget
Assisted Living
The Descendants
To Kill a Mockingbird
Tootsie
Mrs Doubtfire (Sally Field)
O Brother Where Art Thou
Roman Holidays
Singing in the Rain
The Full Monty
My Big Fat Greek Wedding

The Wizard of Oz
E.T. (Drew Barrymore)
The Adams Family
Grease
Sense and Sensibility
The sound of Music
Sullivan's Travels
Pollyanna (Hayley Mills)
Oklahoma
Elvis Presley (any movie)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
The King and I

Mama Mia
Meet me in St Louis
Saturday Night Fever
An America in Paris
Jailhouse Rock
Shirley Temple (any movie)
West Side Story
My Fair lady
Moulin Rouge

Contemporary TV Shows

Downtown Abbey
Everybody Loves Raymond
Little House on the Prairie
Lassie
As Time Goes By
Pride & Prejudice

The Vicar of Dibley
Falty Towers
Planet Earth
Mommy Bear
Life (BBC documentaries on nature)

Musical DVDs

The Seekers (Farewell Concert)
Peter, Paul & Mary
Roy Orbison (Black & White Night)
Jesus Christ Superstar
Camelot
Andre Rieu (any DVD)
Les Miserables
Cats
Glen Campbell (Best of Campbell Music Show)
Cat Stevens (Tea for the Tillerman – A Classic Concert DVD)
Il Divo (At the Coliseum)
Tony Bennett (Wonderful World – Live in San Francisco)
Luciano Pavarotti (The Duets)
Joe Cocker (Respect Yourself Live)
The Beach Boys (Lost Concert)
The Very Best of Richard Clayderman Live in Concert

Enjoy!

Thank you for your feedback...

We appreciate the comments and feedback we receive each day. Don't forget to comment on activities you have tried for the benefit of the whole community. Below are a sample of some recent comments...

Elizabeth on Questions | 17th December 2012

Hi Has any one any ideas for a Resident who is having great difficulty lifting her head up. There must be some exercises - activities out there which I could try. I NEED HELP PLEASE Liz

Lyn on Feedback | 16th December 2012

I am sitting in my usual spot browsing through your wonderful site which I might add is never boring.I would like to take the opportunity to say to all Golden Carerers hard working crew and all your viewers have a wonderful rest and a safe, festive season into the New Year. I know I will (as I'm sure all of us) look forward to more reading and viewing next Year. The residents I look after are in for a treat next year as over the break I am gathering plenty of activities for them to participate in. I have nearly finished the first (3) modules for Cert. IV in Leisure and Health, it has been a little slow due to time as I have (3) positions with my place of work but I know it will all be worth it in the end. Cheers all and happy times, from Lyn

Christine on I Remember The Cheese Of My Childhood | 15th December 2012

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: I Remember The Cheese Of My Childhood

Shirley on One-on-One Visits | 14th December 2012

I agree with Jackie, this would be a good form for Volunteers

Carolynn on Feedback | 14th December 2012

Just like to say thanks for all the wonderful activities you have made available for January and especially Australia Day

Janice on Cinderella Christmas Play | 13th December 2012

Dear Solange,

Our facility performed this pantomine today for residents and their families for their Christmas party.

We added a few of our own lines mainly because people forgot but like everyone who has done this for their residents it was constant laughter for 30mins.

We had a horse that galloped away on the prince and the prince was a female staff member who came out first dressed as an old prince and somehow found the fairy godmother who changed him into a younger prince after the ball and cinderella was our maintenance man. He had a daggy dress on with a velcro back so the prince could rip it off her/him exposing him dressed in a wonder woman's costume to wear to the ball.

Our fairy godmother had to use 3 wands before she found one that worked and the ugly sisters had cushions strapped to their bodies so they had a huge bubble bottom.

Our narrator was dressed as a half man half woman and we used a thong as the glass slipper.

Our valet pretended to speak in french so the ugly sisters looked even more confused.
Our prince mimed a love song to Cinderella.

I can't wait for the new pantomines to come out next year.

I think we will have staff knocking our door down to be a part of it.

Thank you very much.