Hi everyone! I am a solo diversional therapist in a 35 bed facility that has a number of young people with disabilities. I'm talking about 20 yrs. old - mid adult and majority of them are males. I am having a hard time thinking of engaging activities as all of them are physically challenged and think activities are for children. Music and happy hours is a given, though assistance from care staff to transfer them to the chairs is another story. I can't even bring them on outings coz our van would only allow 1 wheelchair and most of them are unable to get up on the van. I am really frustrated and of course management would want to increase attendance to the activities.
Any advise of suggestions is very much appreciated. Thank you!
Hi jam You have quite a challenging situation Though this article says how to plan an activity program for senior care some of the tips will help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/tips-for-writing-successful-activity-programs-for-senior-care/3844/ I think it’s most important to find out what the residents like to do Then you can try to adapt and modify what they like to do so that they can do it If it is difficult to take the residents out bring the outside in You could get some things to eat from McDonald’s or a similar restaurant Could have the residents contribute to their meal and they can earn money playing games or participating in activities One game which is not childish but easy to play and can be adapted and modified so most anyone can play
https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?search_tag=Activity&search=Bunco I used large dice because they are easier to handle and easier to see I had some residents who could drop the dice on the floor If you need help adapting the game for your crowd let me know Also I like exercise Card games Other dice games Watching sporting events with refreshments Let me know what other ideas you may need
Golden Carers is a wonderful resource. I really like the idea that more of it is going to be in video format as this grabs my participant's attention! Even after 20 years in the activity director role, the ideas in Golden Carers are often refreshingly innovative and really useful, even on the fly. Your help is invaluable! Many thanks!
June Spry Leverton Activity Director United States
Any advise of suggestions is very much appreciated. Thank you!
You have quite a challenging situation
Though this article says how to plan an activity program for senior care some of the tips will help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/tips-for-writing-successful-activity-programs-for-senior-care/3844/
I think it’s most important to find out what the residents like to do
Then you can try to adapt and modify what they like to do so that they can do it
If it is difficult to take the residents out bring the outside in
You could get some things to eat from McDonald’s or a similar restaurant
Could have the residents contribute to their meal and they can earn money playing games or participating in activities
One game which is not childish but easy to play and can be adapted and modified so most anyone can play
https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?search_tag=Activity&search=Bunco
I used large dice because they are easier to handle and easier to see
I had some residents who could drop the dice on the floor
If you need help adapting the game for your crowd let me know
Also I like exercise
Card games
Other dice games
Watching sporting events with refreshments
Let me know what other ideas you may need