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Hi Wendy

I do not know what kind of facility this is

Is the group completely run by volunteers??

Usually they have individual boxes of Kleenex which most people can use

You can ask family members for small donations which you can use

You could have a bake sale or another fundraise

You could ask businesses in the area for donations

It’s an aged care, fee for service. Management have brought in a new price structure (costing more per resident) and no budget for activities or resources (even after my pleading). I’m trying to remain creative and unique but becoming increasingly hard, so now buying resources out of my own pocket. This isn’t sustainable! Some families have become aware of my difficulties and offering to donate things. Really looking for suggestions and advice of what others would do

Bump! Still needing ideas

Hi Wendy

That’s a tough position to be in and you’re absolutely right, paying out of your own pocket isn’t sustainable.

Some no-budget prize ideas others use:

• Bragging-rights prizes (certificates, winner board, applause)

• Experiential rewards (choosing the next game/song, being the caller)

• Practical items from donations (tissues, wipes, biscuits split into singles)

• A small family-donation prize basket (many want to help)

• Points over time traded for a fun privilege

Also worth remembering: activities are a core part of care - if prizes aren’t funded, it’s okay to simplify or remove them. The responsibility shouldn’t fall on you.

You’re clearly doing an amazing job, families noticing says a lot.

our residents play for a thing we call tezy dollas (fake money), they can accumulate this money by winning bingo, housie, doing good deads or even participating in the exercise classes. every 3 months or so we hold an auction where our residents can use their tezy dollars to bid on items (lots of fun), these items are usually donated and things that they need such as body wash, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant and some fun things like chocolate bars, a new mug for their room, water bottle ect it also offers a chance for our less fortunate residents to be able to obtain these things.