Coronavirus: Covid-19

25 Ways to Show Gratitude To Volunteers

It takes a lot of dedicated help to serve your Activities department, and your residents, well. Here are a few ideas for expressing your appreciation for their efforts

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8 Ways to to Encourage Friendships Among Residents

Socialization with peers is imperative for healthy aging. In this article we provide some tips for article provides some ideas for helping residents connect and form friendships with one another.

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6 Funny Places to Visit on the Internet

The internet is a weird place and while it can feel like the wild, wild, west, sometimes the internet is downright hilarious. Here are some funny comments and photos from the internet that could be a good addition to your next humor club.

6 Single Player Card Games

I got this idea from my 2nd grader's after school program. I created a sheet to go along with the cards with instructions on how to play some single player games. Enjoy

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Gratitude Jar

Add a positive word to the Gradtitde Jar that starts with first letter of your name

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How to Plan a Christmas Pantomime for Senior Care

A Pantomime (or 'Panto' for short) is a traditional British Christmas play. Christmas Pantomimes are immensely popular in the U.K. and deeply rooted into British culture. They are so joyful and entertaining! This is a wonderful tradition that is well worth embracing in senior care homes.

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6 Fun & Easy Dice Games for the Elderly

Here are 6 of our favourite dice games to enjoy that have been shared by members. Thank you to all who share! Some are modified versions of existing games and some you may not have tried before. These games are so easy to play and so much fun! Simply print & play!

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Emoji Bingo

Hi all - I'd just like to share this activity. An adaption of the ever popular game of Bingo. I find it a great intergenerational game, also very popular with Dementia and complex Clients due to the simple visual nature of the game.

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This Land is Our Land Display Board

Create a board that shows the location of your care home and where residents and staff come from. On individual arrows put the country of origin and how many kilometres they are from their birth place to where they now live.

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25 Comedy, Skits, and other Funny Ideas for Entertaining

Add some levity and laughter into your community’s day by planning some comedy events.

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11 Assisted Living Week Activities

The 2020 theme for Assisted Living Week, which runs September 13-19 in America, is “Caring Is EssentiAL”. We love this theme as it reminds all of us that our roles in senior care are essential and crucial everyday, but especially during the days of COVID-19.

This Day in History for Seniors: November

A reminiscing magazine for every day in November! Enjoy a full page of information about every day of the year, including important historical events, short biographies, jokes, quotes, and fun brain teasers.

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The New Seniors ABC

A is for Apple, and B is for Boat, that used to be right, but now it won' float.
Age before Beauty is what we once said. But let's be a bit more realistic instead.

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16 Ways to Encourage Negative or Pessimistic Residents to Attend Activities

Have you ever worked with a resident who was irritable or pessimistic? It’s common to have a few residents who may think that all of your activities are silly or not worth their time. Here’s how to make your interactions more productive and pleasant.

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In-House Ice Cream Truck

I ordered he truck from Amazon and I worked with Our Plant Operations Director to put it on a electric scooter.

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What Sort of Cake Quiz

Use the clues provided to guess the type of cake alluded to!

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14 Ways to Improve Family Communication During the Pandemic

Families and other visitors are more 'out of the loop' with their loved one's care now that coronavirus visitation restrictions are commonplace across the globe. Learn how to keep them feeling connected with their loved ones and with your team.

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Paper Quilling

I recently tried paper quilling with my residents and they really enjoyed it!

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Silhouette Pictures

This was a very sucessful activity! So much fun and great for residents that don't want to join in with group activities and also ones that are in bed, just attach the picture to a clip board and help/guide them with placing the stickers.

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Make Your Own Bookmarks

Here is an easy peasy activity that everyone can participate in -- hand colored bookmarks!

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We are connected Project

We are currently working on a We Are Connected project. Each client fills in a puzzle piece and then we piece together our puzzle.

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How to Create a Calm Environment for Memory Care

Your memory care unit is a busy place, bustling with resident, staff, and visitor activity. Unfortunately, too much stimulation can create an emotionally unhealthy environment for residents. Here’s how to keep things calm.

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10 More Activities for Residents in Isolation in August

Facilitate these activities to support residents in isolation in August

3 Benefits of Video Games for Seniors

You can install games on all platforms these days, from your phone, computer, laptop, tablet, you can buy dedicated consoles like an xBox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch. Some TVs even come with games. Here are 3 positive aspects of gaming for seniors!

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Community Scrapbook Quilt

As a 1:1 activity, I visit each resident and we make a paper quilt square. We attach them all together and eventually when we have restrictions lifted, we can all enjoy the "quilt" we made together. I call it the "We are in this Together Quilt".

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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.

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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21 Neurobic Exercises

Give your clients a boost with some simple neurobics brain exercises! These mini-mentals are equivalent to cross-training your brain!

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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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10 Ways to Embrace Cultural Diversity in Your Workplace

In today's world, with an ever-expanding demographic of residents entering long term care homes, it is critical to develop strategies that promote diversity and inclusion.

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Brain Games for Senior Care: What is Neurobics?

Your morning exercise program helps residents gain strength and weekly yoga classes help them increase their range of motion. But do you have a brain exercise program in place? Brain exercises are just as important as physical exercise for our residents. Learn a bit more about neurobics and why these interventions are key to keeping brains fit!

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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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5 Ways to Spice Up Your Activity Calendar

I've worked in activities for over ten years, and I have found that there are some activities that you just have to have on the activities calendar! While these activities may be staples, they can easily lose their charm for both you and the residents when done over a long period of time.

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Nine Letter Word Puzzles

I'm about to start a new job as an activity coordinator and one of my ladies loves the nine letter word puzzles in the newspaper so I thought I'd make her some.

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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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5 Fun Technology Activities for Residents

With existing hardware your facility already has (like laptops, projectors, tablets), activity coordinators can access a multitude of free online resources and tools that will usher in a wave of new, fun and unique experiences for residents.

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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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Creative Thinking Exercises

Creativity is a skill to be developed and cherished. There are endless ways to train and exercise the brain! The following exercises are good practice for creative thinking.

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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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7 Ways To Celebrate International Day of Friendship

Friendship Day should be promoted and commemorated.
Here are some ideas for you to use and make this day special!

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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Armchair travel with Google Maps

Use Google Maps and the Street View option to take your resident's back to their original homes or on tours of famous World landmarks! It's almost standing room only as residents are now bringing in their children's addresses along, staff are also showing us their abodes.

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