Katarzyna
10th Apr 2020
Support Worker/Activities Coordinator
Hello. I work in mental health care home. With lock down it’s really difficult to keep people engaged. We’ve had a difficult time to get everyone to participate in activities, and they started to enjoy it. But now with lockdown and isolating everyone in their rooms I’m struggling to find a new ideas for our residents especially that a lot of activities which includes getting people out in corridor is impossible due to the layout of our care home. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you
Hi Katarzyna Thanks for reaching out This is a particularly hard group to work with I think exercise is a good idea use this article to help you https://www.goldencarers.com/15-exercise-program-alternatives-for-senior-care/6319/ Also Have it be a one to one activity within a group even though the group is not really meeting together You could pass out a paper with trivia questions and then call the residents To encourage them to fill it out You could also try this horse racing game https://www.goldencarers.com/diy-horse-race-game/6314/ Another idea is to have the residents write letters to other residents in the facility They can be short or long depending they residents capabilities Try to get a letter to every resident Here is an article you can refer to
Thank you for the resources provided on Golden Carers. I found them immensely valuable, relevant and worthwhile. Educational and updated information provided. Great activity ideas and suggestions. The activities presented are appropriate and can be adapted to different client groups in any English speaking country. It is easy to read and understand the instructions and explanations.
Marilyn Willock-James Activity Officer United Kingdom
Thanks for reaching out
This is a particularly hard group to work with
I think exercise is a good idea use this article to help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/15-exercise-program-alternatives-for-senior-care/6319/
Also
Have it be a one to one activity within a group even though the group is not really meeting together
You could pass out a paper with trivia questions and then call the residents To encourage them to fill it out
You could also try this horse racing game
https://www.goldencarers.com/diy-horse-race-game/6314/
Another idea is to have the residents write letters to other residents in the facility
They can be short or long depending they residents capabilities
Try to get a letter to every resident
Here is an article you can refer to
https://www.goldencarers.com/the-lost-art-of-letters/6273/
In addition hand out paper and try some of these see how many each person can do individually
Then call residents to share what others have written
https://www.goldencarers.com/brain-food-game-1/4535/
I hope these suggestions with heip you
Let me know what worked best
Your job is very hard thank you for all you do for your residents
Also make sure that you are positive with the residents and thank them for engaging in activities
This article may help you with this
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-build-positive-relationships-with-residents/5054/
Even though gratitude day is not until September and gratitude month is in November these gratitude ideas may help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/search/#stq=Gratitude&stp=1