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Jennifer 29th Sep 2020 Activities Coordinator
I just started last week in a SNF as an Activities Coordinator. Most of the residents are non verbal and barely move when up. Other then music,reading to, and going outside can you recommend any group activities?
Susan 30th Sep 2020 Activity Director
Hi Jennifer
Golden Carers has many ideas
https://www.goldencarers.com/dementia/
A lot of it is trial and error
Music and reading are good
ideas
Sensory activities are good
https://www.goldencarers.com/sensory/
I like balloon and ball games also
Susan 30th Sep 2020 Activity Director
Hi again Jennifer
These comments may help you also
https://www.goldencarers.com/forum-search/?searchterm=Facilitate
https://www.goldencarers.com/forum-search/?searchterm=Facilitator+
Brookdale 30th Sep 2020
Could you try something like flower arranging (fresh or fake) where you put all the flowers on the table so residents can touch them if they like. Maybe offer to let them smell flowers if they are fresh. And talk with them about the colors and the names of the flowers. If residents are able to show you “yes” and “no” then hold up a flower and ask “do you want this one in your arrangement?”. Then they can either take them back to their rooms or you can use them as centerpieces in the dining room. Dollar tree has some nice vases.
Solange 30th Sep 2020 Diversional Therapist

Hi Jennifer, non-verbal activities are the way to go. Activities like "Name the vegetable, Car, Carpentry Tools. Instead of voicing it they can cross or underline the right one. Alternatively, you could laminate the answers for them to pick the right one.
You can also use ‘Yes or No Answers’ (semantic features), for instance, laminate some large pictures taken from magazines and calendars. Show the pictures and ask nonsensical questions e.g. Show a packet of crispies and ask: Is it a banana? Is it red? Can you wear it? Do you keep it in the refrigerator? Is it made of plastic? Do children like it? Does the name start with a “C”? And so on, the questions can be really silly, to amuse and keep the brain alert. If they suffer from Aphasia they can answer with laminate yes and no cards.
You could also try ‘Role Playing’; scrip everyday situations for them to play: Make cards with short sentences like riding a bike, exercising, driving a car, cooking, lighting a camping fire, singing, playing the piano, etc. Each person takes a card and role plays that card.
https://www.goldencarers.com/name-the-vegetable-quiz/4270/
https://www.goldencarers.com/name-the-carpentry-tools/5200/

Susan 1st Oct 2020 Activity Director
Great ideas Brookdale and Solange
Thank you

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