Coronavirus: Covid-19

Soda Shop Cart

Carts are not only a fun way to reach every resident throughout your community, but they have become especially crucial to engagement during pandemic precautions.

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100 Movie Recommendations for Seniors

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.

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Make Your Own Dominoes Game

I made my own dominoes game. I laminated it, bagged it up and sent it out in my activities packs.

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15 Ways To Encourage Residents Who Are Lonely or Sad

Residents can feel lonely and isolated, whether or not they are in the midst of a global pandemic. Here are a few ways you can validate those feelings of loneliness and find new ways to connect with residents who are feeling alone.

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10 Activities to Celebrate VE Day in Lockdown

Due to Covid-19, the usual celebrations have been cancelled for this year. Still, we can adapt activities to celebrate the Allied troops, and remember what this victory cost them.

Bunker Bingo

I copied 90 - 4”x5” bingo cards (we have 90 units here), keep that as a master copy, copy a second batch then tape their paper copy to their door...

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10 Ways to Celebrate International Nurses Day During Covid-19

International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12 each year on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Here are some ways you can celebrate the occasion under Covid-19 restrictions.

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19 Ways for Residents to Socialize in Isolation

Social events don’t exactly meet social distancing guidelines, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still create a feeling of community with your residents. Here are ideas on how to share events without sharing contact.

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Isolation Scavenger Hunt

I've created a brief scavenger hunt for the residents to complete on their own (between being in their rooms and meal times). I've created a brief scavenger hunt for the residents to complete on their own (between being in their rooms and meal times).

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30 Spiritual Activity Ideas

Spiritual pursuit can be especially important for some of your residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a quick roundup of ideas that could benefit your community.

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17 Easy Arts and Craft Kits

Now is the perfect time to encourage creativity among your residents. You don’t need a lot of fancy supplies or even a group setting to make it happen. Create your own arts & craft to-go packs using ziplock bags for residents to enjoy in their rooms!

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In-Room Bird Watching

Bird watching is an easy in-room activity! I created a 2-page Publisher document with names and pictures of birds (and other creatures) to look for outside. You can easily adapt to your community by adding your community's name, and birds that are common around your part of the world.

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Keeping in touch during the shutdown

I work in a Care Home that has been closed to non-essential staff for 3 weeks. One person is now trying to meet the social inclusion needs of 36 residents, and doing a great job.  While we cannot go into the home, each of us is supporting the home in whatever way we can - and there are lots of ways.

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Bed Sheet Rainbow

Following the coronavirus lockdown in the UK, people have been creating rainbows for their windows to cheer up passers by and to convey a message of solidarity.

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26 Ways to Rally Your Greater Community

The global COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our day to day duties with residents. However, there is a bright side to get you through these tough times: people really want to help.

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15 Exercise Program Alternatives for Senior Care

Daily exercise groups are an activity department staple, but with most communities discouraging group activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be wondering how to keep it up. Here are a few ideas to get everyone up and moving together (while separate).

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Using Music With Older Adults During Covid-19

The infographic provides activity suggestions for using music with older adults for the purpose of:  cognitive stimulation, reminiscence, socialization, maintaining / strengthening relationships, exercise, emotional health, and quality of life.

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Coronavirus: 18 Activities for Dementia Care

If you are working as an Activity Professional in a memory care neighborhood right now, you are facing even more unique challenges in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping a calm and peaceful atmosphere, including activities, can feel overwhelming. Here are a few ideas to keep you and your residents engaged.

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Handout: Things To Do in Self-Isolation

As I'm sure many of you are also experiencing, residents are now stuck in their rooms and we also have to maintain a 2mtr distance. This makes providing activities very difficult. I made this hand out and gave it to every resident as all the things listed don't require someone to sit with them.

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DIY Horse Race Game

Due to the current situation the Grand National in UK has been cancelled. We normally have a sweep stake amongst the residents, so have devised a game that I can take around instead.

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15 Virtual Activities for Residents in Isolation

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed your activity calendar, and you might be struggling to find new ways to connect with your residents. If you have technology readily available in your community, you can begin to spice up your programming by using virtual activities.

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COVID-19: Taking Care of Your Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic is downright stressful and overwhelming. Taking care of yourself is probably low on your priority list right now, but you won’t be able to take care of your residents if you are struggling. Here are a few easy ways to be gentle with yourself and focus on self-care during these trying times

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50 Activities for the Elderly in Lockdown and Isolation

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing chaos worldwide and this is a hard time for so many. We need to hang in there - these crazy times will pass. Here are some in-room activitiy ideas for residents to enjoy while in isolation.

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How to Support Residents in Lockdown

COVID-19 has drastically changed life inside of senior living communities throughout the globe. Here is how to maintain a sense of calm as well as how to connect with residents during this time.

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Covid-19 Message for Family

Help resident to write a message to their family then take a picture of them holding said message. Template can then be emailed with picture to family so that they can do the same back.

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10 Easy-to-Grow Indoor Plants for the Elderly

Most people enjoy growing indoor plants. Seniors in long term care facilities should be encouraged to immerse themselves in this wonderful hobby. Dozens of inexpensive plant species can blossom inside small rooms and apartments, so long as they are well cared for.

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'Bored Board' Brain Training for Seniors

I have set this up for the unit that I work in and our CEO loves it so much she wants me to set one up for each of the units over different sites. Customize them to suit you. Look forward to seeing what you all do.

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Portable Activity Ideas to Reach Every Resident, Everyday

Not every resident attends group activities, and it can be a serious struggle to find ways to get them engaged with recreation. Intentionally curated carts and baskets can increase your reach and keep your residents happily active.

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15 Ways to Practise Self Care and Avoid Burnout

You spend your workday caring for others. In between all that, you complete paperwork, make staff schedules and decorate the community room for the next party. Then, you head home to care for your family. One important question - who takes care of you?

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Bird Types Matching Game

A matching game with trivia to stimulate conversation and cognitive functioning!

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6 Whiteboard Games for the Elderly

Whiteboards are an indispensable tool for Activity Coordinators and can be used for group activities, communication and learning!

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How to Run Group Exercise Sessions for the Elderly

We all know that exercise is good for us but for some reason, the older we get, the less we do. Contrary to popular belief, poor balance and muscle weakness has a lot more to do with inactivity than age.

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13 Fun Brain Activities for Seniors

Our brains, just like our bodies need exercise! Neurobics is a type of exercise designed to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive performance. Here are 13 simple and stimulating mind activities for seniors in nursing homes.

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Sunflowers Poster Group Activity

Here is another lovely and engaging creative group activity for seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Create a beautiful sunflowers poster in a group craft session!

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Read Aloud Activities for the Elderly

For the elderly who loved to read all their lives, listening to someone read to them can bring profound comfort and joy. Why not start a Read-Aloud Readers Group activity at your facility; a Book Club with a difference! Read-aloud activities are an intervention well worth pursuing.

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Finish the Sayings and Proverbs Game

This fun and simple game is great for seniors including people living with dementia. Includes well known sayings, idioms and proverbs that they will remember from their past.

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Sensory Pouches for Dementia Care

These touchy-feely sensory pouches (also known as squish bags and sensory pads) are a wonderful way to explore the senses. They are also so easy to make! Making sensory pouches is a quick and inexpensive way to make an engaging and relaxing sensory activity for people living with dementia.

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Sun-catcher Hearts

Hang hearts from ceiling with strings or attach to walls and glass windows with blue tack. If you want to make garlands use the small heart template.

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Songs for Seniors Quiz

Here is an over 80s song list. It includes lyrics to over 80 popular songs from yesteryear to enjoy in a sing-along. Sing the first line, and then ask residents to sing the next line!

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Recycled Magazine Scrapbooks

Beautiful scrapbooks made from recycled magazines. Make them to suit the interests of individuals. A wonderful activity for seniors living with dementia.

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Things that go Together Quiz

There are two ways to play this game. Great for people living with dementia!

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Armchair Travel: A Sensory Experience for Seniors

Armchair Travel takes people to faraway places without leaving home. It provides a sensory experience and the opportunity to learn about exotic lands and important past events in a meaningful manner. This is a wonderful activity for seniors living in nursing homes and suitable for people with dementia.

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