‹ Forum Search

In the Dementia care facility where I work, we have the Dog squad coming to visit monthly. We also have volunteers and family members coming in with their dogs. Our residents adore visits from the dogs. They will gather around like members of a fan club. We currently have a family member of a resident who is blind. When she visits her family member with her guide dog in toe the residents get so excited. She is very accommodating in allowing time for her dog to have pats, while he is working. This delights our residents and her dog loves the attention he gets. Bringing pets into the facility is so important. It promotes conversation and also gives tactile stimulation through patting /stroking.

Golden Carers is absolutely fantastic - thank you so much - we work with Blind and visually impaired groups in the UK and many of your activities can be adapted for this client group.
Have a great Christmas!

hi i am a life enrichment caregiver and its been 4months im on the memory side I need something to do with these clients i have 12 and one is new he is blind
these resident has hard time understanding what things to do,,, i am a care giver to so i understand i have patirnts yes, but ned idea to things easy fun crafts cant use sissors
they cand play little bingo and color some paint some
need new ideas please...

Hi there,

I have a client who comes in for Day Program, she's legally blind, hard of hearing and her mobility isn't the greatest. Activity planning has been difficult as I have other clients with her on that day.
Does anyone have any suggestions on activities that I can do with her? I'm at a loss.

Hi!
Does anyone have activity suggestions for an older adults that are Deaf-Blind and has dementia? The activities will be one-on-one in the home.

Thank you!

Terrific article! I'm not in a professional setting. I am a full time caregiver for a family member who is blind. I am however, a professional massage therapist. I found this site looking for engaging activities, both mental and physical. Touch applies to both AND perhaps most important -the ❤️.
I've worked with elderly and clients with terminal diagnoses, who are also often missing "touch. Families sometimes withdraw as if protecting themselves. I had a cancer patient explain that her adult child must think she was contagious.
Hint: Do consider of skin movement and possible bruising, moreso when on blood thinners. This is when touch or j'ust light enough to apply lotion' is great. Another hint is the speed of massage. Slow and long strokes are more calming.
Thanks to GC I get to share games etc with several homebound seniors
I am blessed both by this site and those sharing your hearts!

Hi like the idea of a weekly program.I run the activities in a residential home..most of my seniors are at the end stage dementia...I try and do the group ideas..but mostly it's 1 on 1. Can you give me ideas that worked for your residents who are not mobile.That is they stay in the same chair or are in a wheelchair. I think I will change my routine from a week theme to a day theme. Also it's really hard..some days go like clock work and the next looks and feels like you have achieved nothing...all ideas are welcome,specially for the almost blind clients
and after 2pm is difficult to do activities. thanks

Hi Lina
I am not from Australia I’m not sure what certificate IV means
Are you supposed to refer somebody if you think they have a need??
For example if you think they need a hearing aid or a hearing evaluation would this be something??
A vision problem may be an issue also
would you refer them to get their vision checked?
Would you suggest that they get reading glasses or a magnifying glass that they could use at activities ??
Is there a commission for the blind or something like that that you could refer them to??
Would You suggest they go on hospice??
Is this what you had in mind??
And for not being more specific in your question

Hi Sarah
I think these articles and comments will help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/12-ways-to-support-visually-impaired-seniors/6211/
https://www.goldencarers.com/20-activities-for-the-visually-impaired/4205/

Also I think items need to be labeled in large dark print
Try to use the other senses

It also depends on what is there now
Have You contacted the commission for the blind because they have some great ideas
I suspect most of the people who come qualify to get services from them
Also there is probably a library that is for the visually impaired and also has braille items

Good afternoon everyone!

I am a new Executive Director of an association that has a day programming for blind and visually impaired men and women ages 51 - 96.

I have been hired to redesign this amazing agency that has been providing free services to the blind and visually impaired for the past 112 years. As I am new to working with the blind and visually impaired so I was wondering if anyone had any activities that we could use for the time they are here. They are a wonderful group of interesting, independent and fun loving people who live on their own.

Thank you! I really appreciate your support.

Best,
Sarah

I have shown movies monthly since starting here (Virginia), and I'm actually a Service Coordinator (versus Activity Coordinator). Discussions before and after relate to topics brought up by the movies, and the movies themselves even help with cognitive issues, memory recall, mental health/emotional health, etc.

Some of the ones that I've shown that the residents have LOVED are:
Selma (shown today)
Simon Birch (Dear Lord, they hollered laughing at this movie!)
Pay it Forward
The Blindside
Hidden Figures
The Bucket List
Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood (They LOVED this movie!)
Dad
7 Pounds
I Can Only Imagine

I have been showing movies that many may not have seen. I actually had one resident say (when I first started in 2020) "Why does everybody always try to show us movies with old people in them?" Some of her friends in the room agreed. I laughed with them and have kept that in mind every time I'm choosing movies for the month :).
Note: I work in Independent Living

Just wanted to throw a few more ideas out that have been well received here!

I AM 73 and I am lucky to be involved in blind and visually impaired golf. It is played in 16 countries and there are national Opens as well as a World Championship. Our totally blind players are awesome and we all play to the same rules as sighted players. Each golfer has a guide to indicate aiming direction, find the ball and share in the trophy (it's basically a 2-man sport).
I am always surprised that so few people know blind golf exists. Pros and better golfers are the people less likely to believe you if you know about blind golf. It's because they can't imagine how such a difficult sport could be conquered by a blind or visually impaired person.
Well guess what - it can be!!

Hi Margaret
There are some places you can buy Braille bingo cards such as Amazon or Walmart
There is also a Braille store that you might want to try
http://www.braillebookstore.com/Bingo-Playing-Board.1
And you can write a letter to any of these places they may want to donate some to you especially if there’s more things you want to buy
I do not know where you are from but the commission for the blind in the US does have some good materials for the blind
You may want to check this out

Hi l am the activities coordinator at Madison court a home for people living with dementia. We have a couple of blind residents and some partially sighted residents. All our residents enjoy bingo. Our careers help these residents so that they can join in. We tell them when we mark a number off for them also what colour ticket and pen is being used. They are kept upto date with whatt numbers they need and they shout for their winnings. I was wondering if there are any bingo tickets in braille as this would get them more involved. Thank you for reading xmarg

Hi - I stumbled on this site while searching for activities for my 22 year old special needs son with multiple disabilities. He is a cerebral palsy person (diagnosed at 1 year old), had stroke at 7 years old due to hemorrhage, became blind after the operation then wheelchair bound after his scoliosis operation. He is now staying home and I'm at a loss as to the type of meaningful activities I could get him involved. I am now looking at making play dough with him. He generally listen to music for most part of the day.

Appreciate any ideas, please. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Michael I am the new Activities Director at Symphony Circle Active Living. It's an independent living facility for the elderly. The previous Activity Director took part in the residents during Armchair Travels the last Friday of the Month from 2:30-4 during our happy hour time. I am trying to fit all of the information in that time slot, while also trying to create my own PowerPoint Presentation. Any suggestion on short videos that could be recommended. This upcoming Friday we are going to France.
Also, any ideas on craft ideas or any suggestions of what I can do for my residents.
I'm new at this position and going in blind with coming up with my own ideas of what we could do.
Thank you :)

Hi Rebecca
Do you have something like a commission for the blind
We have that in the US and they provide different devices for blind residents
If not do you have a therapy department because occupational therapy should be able to evaluate and give or make suggestions as to a device you might use
Do you have a special library for the blind residents
We had that also
They sent a blind person to show residents devices they had
They had books on tape and a simple to use device to play the tape
If no one is willing to help you you will have to do some research online to find an appropriate device for the resident to use
This article may help you as well
https://www.goldencarers.com/20-activities-for-the-visually-impaired/4205/

I have a resident who is blind and I'd like some sort of device that he can control easily himself to listen to stories or music on. Any advice?x

My mother is 95 and is legally blind. One activity I have found that she loves and keeps her occupied is making a fleece blanket with tied knots. I prepare the fabric by cutting the strips around two pieces of fleece and she ties the knots around the outside edges. She makes them for her Great Grandchildren.

We're doing activities such as "what's in the box" which is a good sensory activity (albiet a bit messy)!

Adding things like peeled grapes, cold porridge, wire wool and fun things to touch and then adding a Halloween theme is good fun. Peeled grapes can be "eyeballs", wire wool can be "witches hair", strawberry laces can be "worms" and so on. You can blindfold residents or simply craft a box for them to put their hands in and guess what they're touching. :)

Social distance digging for candies. put loose chocolates ,candies in a bowl.
Blind fold residents and have them scoop up candies with a wooden spoon. make sure to give a time to stop scooping .Place scoop up candies aside with residents name . The person who get the most candies from the bucket while being blind folded win the candies. The rest of the candies will be shared among the resident. Make it fun by cheering on the residents .

What needed:
Candies
Bucket and wooden spoon
Timer/ stop watch
Blindfold and residents to participate

Hello Dawn, I am a volunteer at a Vision Impaired Centre, and we have 5 totally blind members, and they like playing dominoes, they are a standard set of tactile dominoes with raised black dots on white tiles and they manage these very well. I am not sure where you could get yours from, it is such a long time ago since I bought ours, but you could look on google. All the best Gwyneth


LOOKING FOR GAMES FOR THE BLIND 9th September 2020

I have one blind resident who once could see and he really enjoys a game I play called What's in the Bag? You put common everyday items into a cloth bag one at a time and have them guess what the items are by feeling them. Some things I've used are kitchen gadgets, office supplies like roll of tape, hole punch, pen, pencil, stapler etc. Another thing he enjoys is trivia.
Good luck!

Hi All, I am new to being an activities coordinator, only been doing it for a month, I work 40 hours and between 2 floors, Nursing downstairs, and residential upstairs with over 40 residents. Majority of the time no one wants to do anything, so I do one to ones or room visits.
They love balloon volleyball, and gaint snakes and ladders, skittles and quoits, now and again I will get the to do some easy arts and crafts.
My problem is a lot are dementia patients, so some days they just want to sleep, but I have 3 blind ladies who I struggle to do things with, apart from them enjoying a good sing a long and playing instruments.
I see people mention sensory things, but we don't have anything really, and I've been warned what I give them as they put things in their mouth.
Can anyone advise me of anything I can do with the blind ladies, or anything else really as a newbee.
Much appreciated
Dawn

Hi Dawn
How nice of you to think of this client
Does this client live alone
Does this client live alone??
Even if he does live alone I am sure there are people who come in to check on him periodically
So you could send things that they could do together such as trivia??
Does this person like to sing because you could send a song book that he and his caregiver could share??
Hopefully this person was seen by someone from the commission for the blind because they provide items that blind people can use such as a tape player or a talking clock??
If this person has a tape player maybe you can send a message on tape
You could send some sensory items that could be shared with the caregiver such as meditation instruction
https://www.goldencarers.com/rainbow-guided-meditation/6054/
Do you know what this person does to occupy his time??
You may be able to adapt and modify some things

One of our participants is blind and is in a wheelchair bound. I am sending activities to some of our families to do due to us being closed since March from COVID. But I am looking for some activities that I can send home to him. Any ideas?

Hi Pearl
Try some of these suggestions
https://www.goldencarers.com/forum-search/?searchterm=Blind
It is best to adapt and modify some thing she used to like to do
Let us know what ideas you come up with
Thanks

Hello, my grandmother is legally blind but can still see a little bit (for example if the text is really big). It’s hard to understand what she’s going through but I want to be there for her and make her experience better. I was wondering what activities, tricks, ways around this, independent tasks etc that anyone recommends that could make things more enjoyable/easier for her?

we found fishing game good without the blindfold. the blind fold feaked my husband

Hi Donna
Have you read all the comments here because there are some really good ideas
Is there some thing your mother-in-law liked to do in the past that could be adapted and modified so she could do it now
For example I had a resident who was blind but still could crochet because she had done it all her life she did it but I feel
Obviously this would not work if she never crocheted but maybe there is something else she could do by feel
Someone had suggested clay that she could mold into anything really
If you could help her do handover hand exercises
Start with easier ones just three or four to begin with
There are some really good ideas from Gwyneth

https://www.goldencarers.com/exercise/
If you need help adapting an activity your mother-in-law liked to do in the past let me know and I will help you with it
Good luck to you and let us know what ideas worked

i look after my 95 year old mother in-law who is virtually blind due to cataracts she is also almost deaf with hearing aids, mobility poor, becoming institutionalized is there anything i can do to stimulate her?

Hello Christopher, l on l activity 12th June 2020

Hello, my name is Gwyneth, and I am Welsh, living NSW and I joined Golden Carers beginning of the year, it is a really good helpful website. I am a volunteer, have been for over 30 years, 30 wonderful years. Your letter brought many memories back to me of when I started volunteering at a Vision Impaired Centre, over 23 years now, and still doing it in my late 80's. I am a hands on Volunteer Social Co-ordinator who works out the programme of activities for the whole year. We are a group of 35 vision impaired clients, 3 of them totally blind, one has a guide dog, two of them uses canes, others very low vision, they will try anything, they are out to enjoy themselves , and we try out best to do just that. By volunteering your services you are halfway there, because you want to do it, and that's a must. Just be yourself and be relaxed with him. Through being with him and chatting to him you will ind out his likes and dislikes (on anything) We have a 1 on 1 at times with some of our clients, especially when they are new arrivals. We try to find out do they like listening to the radio, especially the news, some of ours like to keep up to date with what is going on in the world. What music they like classic, jazz, or old time, did they play an instrument, do they like singing, etc. There are talking books you can get from the Library. Ours love to play dominoes, suitable for the blind you can buy in shops. Some play cards, large print. Assistance is given when needed. Taking him out to the coffee shop would be nice, over a cup of coffee it's surprising how relaxed they are and give quite a lot away of themselves. There are lots more you will find out, and I know you will, you have a friendly face. When we take them out, we are careful of how they like to be held, with ours the one with the dog is independent, but will ask for help if he needs it, the other one likes you putting your right arm under his left arm and walking like that, and the other one likes walking with your left arm under his right arm, a simple thing to find out but it is for the best no one gets upset. When you find out all about him, you will be good friends, someone he will feel comfortable with, it is wonderful what you are doing. All the best Gwyneth

Hi everyone. I want to do some 1:1 activity with a blind resident. They are very intelligent and not affected with dementia. The person has had a number of strokes, however, so there is some memory impairment. I'd like to do something a little different fruit tasting etc so any udeas would be well received!

Thanks Talita, I love looking at everything on your web site, and i love sending my activities in, my trouble is I have been a hands on volunteer, standing in front of our clients, telling them and showing them what to do, it is quite difficult describing how to do it, it is a lot nicer with an audience. Whether we will be able to start back is in the lap of the Gods, it is a Vision Impaired Centre, sounds funny when I say I stand in front of them, we have two blind with their dogs, the rest are vision impaired, but do have enough sight to see what is going on, although when we play bingo, their noses are touching their cards, but they manage, they are so appreciative of what you do for them, they laugh a lot, sing a lot, join in nearly everything, they will have a go. It is a happy place run by volunteers, all nationalities, like a little family, I do hope we can start back. With this distancing, it is difficult we use 2 buses to pick them up and take them home, we give them morning tea then entertainment and games, a cooked lunch, then take them home, it is a wonderful place. Because of this lock down so many of our clients are left alone in their homes, we have quite a few who have lost their partners, we worry over them, but the sad part is we all come from different places, not living near each other, it is very sad. Most of us have to get there by car, train or bus, but it is worth it. I spend hours , being in lockdown myself, not liking it, after 30 years of volunteering, it is hard to settle down, but your web site has so much to read through, it helps, thank you.

I work in a group home, one of our client is blind and has autism. Iam not a manager. I am just one of the wotker just for the record. Every time I go to work. I come up with i deas to keep her active and smiling assuming that will help her day go fast and fun. This week, I feel like i am running of ideas to keep her active. any idea? but one thing I noticed which I am planning to keep on reapeating is that since she practice a christian religion, she laughs with the Jockes I find on you yube from Joel Osten and making shapes from a play-doh. please email me any new ideas? Thank you so much!!!

Calendar Girl is one of the musical songs they love at our Vision Impaired Centre, some are blind, others are vision impaired, ages range from 70 to 100 plus, they just come alive, and they just do what their bodies want to do, and the smiles on their faces is very rewarding. We are in lock down at the moment like everyone else, hope things will soon allow us to start back, one of our bus carers rung me the other day to say he was missing the family, by that he mean't our Day Care Centre, is'nt that a lovely way of looking at it , we are all volunteers and all nationalities - we've been together so long that's how we all feel. Have to say this Web site is great, glad I heard about it -

Hey Ronda
Kids are adaptable
I do not know where you are from but in the US there is the commission for the blind that is very helpful but it may take a while for them to get to you
If your grandson likes to read there are books on tape and also there are many programs on the Internet for reading books
In fact there are computers and other devices for the blind that use the Internet
Good luck to you
It sounds like your grandson is a real fighter

Hi Jason
Is the client in a group setting or are you working with him individually
Has he had an evaluation by an occupational therapist to see what his strengths and weaknesses are and his likes and dislikes
Have you contacted the commission for the blind they have some good tools you can use
Do you have any budget to buy things for him or does everything have to be donated
I would suggest some headphones maybe you can get some donated and have his favorite songs on the headphones
You could try this sensory activity and see if he likes it
https://www.goldencarers.com/treasure-hunt-/3291/
Also think about getting a keyboard or some other type of object where he can press the large buttons
Also maybe some kind of paper folding activity
Also some physical activity is very important
He may be able to run or jump or skip
He could use a large ball
If you need more suggestions let me know

My client is blind and has autism and Asperger’s. he is 27 years old and very limited to do anything. Doesn’t speak many words and likes to lash out every now and then. Need help on this matter.just some fun things to do

Hi we have a blind resident who thoroughly enjoys painting with sponges and also her fingers. She will literally just run her fingers through it. If they are not keen on the paint on their hands you could put a pair of surgical gloves on them. You could also use pasta and paint and glue on a piece of card then they will experience the sensory side of it also.

Any Ideas for the Blind? other then music, stories and positive thinking …

Hi, I wanted to let you know that I’m not in the care-giving profession, but I am a daughter, looking after my 93 year old mom, who is blind... and I get a lot out of this community. The quizzes and games in particular are great interactions for us, and are just the right level to make her think, but not ever make her feel defeated. It has been a worthwhile investment. Thanks!

I am totally blind, and there are things to help someone be as independent as they want to be. "maxie Aids for the Blind" is a web site which sells everything from computers to games, and is also for other disabled persons. There are computers with screen-readers and one can go on the net, play games, download books, listen to music, and do everything except look at pictures.

There are smart phones which can be set up at an Apple store, and these have SERI and voice over. As the article said, there are talking books, and of course audio books and other books from Liverbox, a place on the web.

There are chat rooms for the blind such as: "cafe for the blind." You can listen to movies with video description on that site, or you can go to "movies for the blind." or comcast has the box which also has a screen-reader and you can listen or watch Tv by using it.

or if you have a computer, you can download games which have sappy voices. This site has card games, word games, and even psudokoand the site is called "spoonbill games for the blind" and they are for free. Just some ideas.

I cannot find anything about activities for stroke patient. First stroke affected her vision, blind in one eye and very low vision in the other. The second stroke affected her speech, she cannot find the correct words to communicate. It’s all gibberish.
I’d like to find something she would enjoy doing.
All the activities assume you can see what your doing
Do you have anything like that?

I am going blind. I am already considered legally blind. Being bored is a problem as i can not leave my house much unless someone is with me. I would suggest getting your loved ones out to walk. Take them places to buy things they need. Take them out to eat. Losing my independence has been the toughest part. I have to rely on everyone around me and often feel like a burden. I also struggle with the fact that i am no longer contributing to society. And my home has began to feel like a prison. My advice to you is to get them out make them feel useful and reasure them you enjoy their wisdom and company. Because i know my wisdom is about all i have left.

Music is almost always a good activity
Here are some ideas on Golden Carers
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/
Here are some more ideas for those who are visually impaired or blind
https://www.goldencarers.com/20-activities-for-the-visually-impaired/4205/

Are there any activities that you recommend blind people to participate in because I am one of those people that is blind

Hi everyone

I'm after help! I start as an activities coordinator on Tuesday, I have never worked in care or had a job like this before, there is only 12 residents, some with dementia, there doesn't appear to be any training so to speak and no one who does the role at the minute, can people give me a breakdown of your usual routines for the day so I don't go in blind?

Does she know Braille. Hadley Institute for the Blind offers free books on tape and the teaching instructions to teach Braille. You don't have to know Braille to teach it, and they are very supportive. You can look them up online. They are in IL.

Hello, we have a new gentleman who is blind and likes to sing loud, a lot. It is very charming but he is driving many of our other residents a bit mad.
Does anyone have any suggestions to keep him occupied and happy please.

Hi, Skye, your client could benefit from a daily one-to-one visit from you or a volunteer (20 minutes to half an hour). Gently and slowly the visitor will get to know her better and have more scope to think on how to offer her meaningful activities. If you have the means find her a Companion to take her out for ice cream or coffee 2 or 3 times a week. Also, the Royal Blind Society in your country could also be helpful. They have the means to provide your client with powerful hearing aids and also reading matter in Braille (it is usually free of charge). Further, depending on your client’s background (how long she’s been blind) and education she might enjoy simple activities like unraveling wool pullovers, peeling vegetables, folding dish towels, threading plastic beads with a plastic needle to make necklaces and many other activities of daily living. These activities will give her a sense of being useful and helpful. Finally, establish that she is not depressed by her condition by asking clinical staff for help. Good luck!

Hi,

We have a new resident who is blind and also very very hard oh hearing .. She does not wish to join in activities due to the fact she cant see or hear. Does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks

By looking into their background with family members or even previous Lifestyle Evaluations, it’s amazing the ideas you can put together. I recently have 1:1 engagement ( ongoing) with a lady who is non verbal and blind, also no mobility , however when I read the previous care plan it mentioned she and her husband used to be in a jazz band. I’ve put together a playlist with the iPad and 2-3 times a week I’ll give her a hand massage while she has the headphones on low of jazz music. It really seems to calm her. An awesome step forward.

Today we had a game of musical bingo. I have 1 resident who is nearly blind and heard her comment that she wished she could see to play. I often hear her singing along with CD's and know that she knows a lot of music so I involved her in the game by telling her to sing along with the tune in order to give the other residents a 'clue' to the title. She enjoyed her role and so did the other residents.

I have just found a group called Cycling Without Age. It has been very good for blind residents in the homes I understand. It is good for everyone! Google it and see what you think. You would have to purchase the "trike" with fund raising or corporate donations, but they are a great addition to any home.

I have always tried to find puzzles, games etc that are tactile and challenging for my husband as he is totally blind and has been most of his life. He has Alzheimers and Vascular dementia and having a very high functioning brain it has never been an easy task finding games that would stimulate him but over the years I did manage to find some really great ones but it is a real challenge now. Games such as Monopoly etc do come in Braille but he needed much more challenging games. He loves words and I spend lots of time with him doing word puzzles of various sorts. He loves his Braille books and reads a lot but does not play his piano or any of his musical instruments or use his computer any longer things that were very important to him for many years before dementia set in.. He loved Math and science but unfortunately it seems that these have been the first things to go, he still listens to them via talking books etc but he is now finding that difficult. I am wondering if anyone can tell me where I might find mainly tactile items, things that might be of interest to him . I looked at a lot of word games here and we did a few of them today but I would love to find some tactile games for him. I came across a couple last week at a games and toy store but unfortunately they were not quite what I had hoped for once they were opened. It makes me realise just how much he has lost, a year ago he would have had no trouble at all with them. Thank you for this wonderful site I appreciate all the hard work that has gone into it. I was reading here about those tactile mats / plastic bags filled with different items and as he loved making furniture I think I will fill them with small items such as nails, screws, nuts and bolts etc and all different things that he loved to use with his hobbies the main one building N Gauge rail so thank you to whoever thought of those as it has given me lots of ideas. Isabel

Does anyone have ideas of group activities that would include residents that are blind. I find myself struggling in this area, please help!.

My mom is 86, nearly blind and has early stages of dementia. Do you have resources for low vison and blind elders? Thanks

My heart is broken. My mom, is now 100% blind. B4 she had some sight and we purchased her a special computer for impaired sight. It was wonderful and she got a lot of use out of it. But, now, she is can't see anything on it. Playing her games, listening to TV is her pass time.
She has never been a reader, so that's out. Does anyone know of any tactile activities besides clay that she can do while sitting in her chair.
The blind just don't shirvel up an nonexist, they live on like sighted people! There has to be home activities she can do! Help please!!!!

Hi Hannah,
Jackie had a similar question
This is what I said to her
What comes to mind right off the bat is this on golden carers
https://www.goldencarers.com/20-activities-for-the-visually-impaired/4205/

Are you interested in a support group for them??

Any activity that does not use vision as a key element is good like a sing along or reminiscing

Is there a commission for the blind in your area?? If their doctor fill out some paper work stating that they are legally blind, then they may be able to get some low vision aids for free
There are plenty of places you can buy items for people with low vision should they want to do that

1.Idd, keep it light. But if he is better on a cognitive level. Their is a game called pim pam pet. Don t know if they have it in english. It s a wheel with all the letter of the alfabet. Then you pick a card like tools, object in the kitchen, boysname etc.. then you spin the wheel and get a letter and you need to search for an answer with the given letter. It s a lot of variation and fun for you too.

3.play a Boardgame with simple cognitive and do tasks. You pick a boardgame from the internet and put some questionmarks (?) On it everytime you roll the dice and come on a question mark you.need to pick a card. If you do or answer it right you can have another turn if you answer it wrong. It s the other one s turn.

Do questions: wink with one eye, give your biggest smile, which gesture means everything alright (thumbs up) , which sound makes a dog ,cow ,donky
Cognitive:which colour has a kiwi, who is the president, how many hours are there in one day, ...

4.Or you can use the board for other games. We have a game in belgium called :zeg eens euh. It s a game where you need to talk 1minute about a certain subject and you can t say uhhhh or say the forbidden word. The other one needs to pay attention that you don t say the forbidden word or uhh. If you do it right you can roll the dice again otherwise it s the other ones turn. It s fun to play with others too.
Example Subject: library» can”t say: books
If you want to.make it easier, leave the forbidden.word out.

5:sensory game where you can stimulate his senses.

You can.make it a feeling ,hearing or taste game.
Taste: blind fold and let him taste different kind off stuff and let him guess what it is and. Vice versa.

Feeling: put objects in a bag. Let him feel and guess what he has in it s hand.

Hearing: guess the song that plays on the radio or television

Option 2 play a classic music piece like ode an die freund. And guess which music instrument are in this piece.

6:relaxing: use smells like lavendel to give a calm feeling. Also a hand massage can be very relaxing

Hi Karen, one activity I have experienced with blind people was clay moulding. We used to buy air drying clay and other moulding material and encouraged a group of six vision deficient clients to make it into whatever they wanted. You would be surprised with the things they come up with. When I left one of the group made me a jewellery container (without lid) which is one of my prized possessions. Cheers.

I am looking for any art or craft suggestions for a client of mine that is almost totally blind.
He is 65 years old. Any suggestions would be great. Thank You

Keren Rice

We had a client who was blind (with macular). She was great at threading crafts eg. coloured beads on pipe cleaners. We'd separate the shapes / colours in piles and she would do a better job than the sighted clients. We use bright led lights or a bell to indicate where target points are for games. Visually impaired clients often do better at games because they have no expectation they will win - no pressure. Just let them have a go :)

Hi Jackie,
What comes to mind right off the bat is this on golden carers
https://www.goldencarers.com/20-activities-for-the-visually-impaired/4205/

Are you interested in a support group for them??

Any activity that does not use vision as a key element is good like a sing along or reminiscing

Is there a commission for the blind in your area?? If their doctor fill out some paper work stating that they are legally blind, then they may be able to get some vision aids for free
There are plenty of places you can buy items for people with low vision should they want to do that

Hello Fellow Members,

I have a "LEGALLY BLIND" lady in a small group of elderly people I do activities with.

Can someone PLEASE recommend activities for her while I'm doing activities with those who can see. I don't want her to be left out. Her mind is clear.

Thank you!

Average age in the room well over 90, 2 virtually blind residents and half had dementia and we all had a ball! we had a great time with our fly swats and balloons such a cheap easy activity. I was very sceptical that all would be able to participate but every one thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great ideas folks. At Hortic therapy, we deliver gardening sessions to senior citizens and people living with Dementia. We do a similar session called Guess the scent. The residents are blind folded and they then get to feel and smell the real product or plant. They have 3 guesses, if after the third one it is not correct, they are given clues then the answer is revealed. Good fun and great reminiscent stories are relived.

I need some help. I have a resident who is legally blind in one eye and can't see very well in the other. This resident has Alzheimer's; however is very high functioning. I need activities that I can do that can also work for my other residents. Remember I have a mixed population as it relates to their functioning levels. Anyone out there have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Hi. Could you suggest activities for a 82 years old lady totally blind for 10 years.
Thanks

Thank you so so much!!! I have tried them and they are absolutely BRILLIANT! I have used hand gel, pebbles, buttons, bobbins, sand and glitter stars ..... not altogether..... ha ha.....but so good for our blind residents, carers and Manager too! Just make sure properly sealed.

Hi my name is Kelly
Do you have some suggestions for sensory activities for a blind client with good cognitive skills

Hi Kelly, with good cognitive competence your blind client might enjoy Talking Books and Plays which you may get from your local library. They may also enjoy a hand or shoulder massage, hearing a nice poem, tasting different food, and if within a group: Therapy balls (good for arthritic fingers), trying and guessing scents, making potpourris, and others. Here are a few links that may help you.

https://www.goldencarers.com/scent-guessing/3268/
https://www.goldencarers.com/beauty-therapy/3225/
https://www.goldencarers.com/hand-massage-nail-care/3222/

Lost dog with 3 legs, blind in left eye, missing right ear, tail broken and recently castrated.
Answers to the name of "Lucky"

Our residents played Ginger Beer Pong. We used Cascade Ginger Beer mini cans in a green can which looked like the real deal.
Our residents have intellectual disabilities so we gave them 3 rows of paper cups to aim for. Everyone manage to get one in even the blind resident. Prizes were given for successful Pongs. Residents appeared to enjoy Beer Pong allowing staff to have a go as well (some staff were not as accurate )

definitely giving this a go for our blind resident with dementia.

My mother is 89, almost blind due to macular degeneration. She isn't very mobile. Has copd and tires very easily. She watches tv alot. What can I do to help her feel better about her days.

Bingo suitable for Alzheimers
I made up a bingo that goes up to the number 40. I printed A5 size bingo cards and laminated them so clients can mark them with markers and they are easily wiped clean. the bingo balls are from a children's plastic ball pool large and colourful. I wrote the number on each ball with permanent marker. some times each client picks out a ball and sometimes if we have a client who can't play the bingo they will pick out the balls. we say rhymes/ songs associated with each number, ie 3 three blind mice....., 16 one client sings "sweet sixteen and never been kissed" and so on. everyone helps wipe the cards afterwards. The game is short and the clients don't lose interest so we often play two or three games.

Hi Matylda, I have found a list, some I have never heard before but a lot that I have used back in my days of calling Bingo! Cheer, Peter

1 Kelly's eye / At the beginning / Nelson's column
2 One little duck / Me and you
3 You and me / Cup of tea / One Little Flea
4 Knock at the door / B4 (and after)
5 Man alive
6 Tom's tricks / Tom Nix / Chopsticks
7 Lucky seven / God's in heaven
8 One Fat Lady / Golden gate
9 Doctor's orders
10 David's Den (Refers to 10 Downing St.)
11 Legs eleven
12 One dozen, One and two - a dozen, Monkey's cousin (rhymes with "a dozen")
13 Unlucky for some, Devil's number, Bakers dozen
14 Valentines day
15 Rugby team, Young and keen
16 Sweet sixteen / She's lovely / Never been kissed
17 Often been kissed / The age to catch 'em / Dancing Queen
18 Able to vote
19 Goodbye teens
20 Getting plenty / Blind 20
21 Key to the door
22 Two little ducks / All the twos
23 Thee and me / The Lord is my Shepherd (23rd Psalm)
24 Two dozen
25 Duck and dive
26 Bed and breakfast / Half a crown / Pick and mix
27 Little duck with a crutch / Gateway to heaven
28 In a state / Over weight
29 You're doing fine
30 Burlington Bertie / Dirty Gertie / Speed limit / Flirty thirty / Blind 30
31 Get up and run
32 Buckle my Shoe
33 Dirty knees / All the threes / All the feathers / Two little fleas / Sherwood Forest
34 Ask for more
35 Jump and jive
36 Three dozen
37 A flea in heaven
38 Christmas cake
39 Those famous steps
40 Naughty Forty
41 Time for fun
42 That famous street in Manhattan / Whinny the Pooh
43 Down on your knees
44 Droopy drawers / All the fours
45 Halfway house / Halfway there
46 Up to tricks
47 Four and seven
48 Four dozen
49 PC (Police Constable) / Copper / Nick nick
50 Bulls eye / Blind 50 / Half a century
51 Tweak of the thumb
52 Weeks in a year / Danny La Rue
53 Stuck in the tree
54 Clean the floor
55 Snakes alive / All the fives
56 Was she worth it?
57 Heinz varieties
58 Make them wait / Choo choo Thomas
59 Brighton line
60 Three score / Blind 60 / Five dozen
61 Bakers bun
62 Tickety boo / Turn on the screw
63 Tickle me
64 Red raw / The Beatles number
65 Old age pension
66 Clickety click / All the sixes
67 Made in heaven / Argumentative number
68 Saving grace
69 The same both ways / Any which way
70 Three score and ten / Blind 70
71 Bang on the drum
72 A crutch and a duck / Six dozen / Par for the course
73 Crutch and a flea / Queen B
74 Candy store
75 Strive and strive
76 Trombones
77 Sunset strip / All the sevens / Two little crutches
78 Heavens gate
79 One more time
80 Gandhi's breakfast / Blind 80 / Eight and blank
81 Fat lady and a little wee / Stop and run
82 Fat lady with a duck / Straight on through
83 Fat lady with a flea / Time for tea / Ethel's Ear
84 Seven dozen
85 Staying alive
86 Between the sticks
87 Fat lady with a crutch / Torquay in Devon
88 Two fat ladies / All the eights / Wobbly wobbly
89 Nearly there / All but one
90 Top of the shop / Top of the house / Blind 90 / End of the line

One could be eyesight when activitiy is housie,to assist Resident to participate fully place chair with window behind not looking into sun,make up special card, black paper,white writing is easier to see,or contact blind assosiation for that,also larger dibs.We use upended small clear plastic medicine cups,and lastley have Resident close to you or a volunteer.Ensure they get same card each time and they may become familiar with the numbers. Judy NZ

We have a number of residents that love to play BINGO that are vision impaired or blind, what we do we have two containers each person with twenty buttons, each person has a selected numbers ie 1-20, another person 25-45 etc. Each time their number is called they place a button in the empty container. we have two chances each game to win prizes, ie if playing for four corners, we allow then to get the first 5 ie (person doing 1-20) 1-5 can call out BINGO.or full house 1-20 BINGO. But i unually take note on my calling board of how they are going.

Hi Solange,

Thank you for this great idea, I have a couple of blind residents and always looking at ways to stimulate the mind with them and other residents. I do like the idea of eating ice cream to it too !!! Thanks Tangi.

Im just wanting some help with some activities for the blind...this client has no dementia and a real love for life. Recently lost her eye sight only 5 months ago. She loves to knit,but I would like to offer her more....

We have the thats not my job mentality at our facility. It occurs between different sections within High care, (it's not my resident), this is from the nursing staff. I find this attitude very sad - how would they feel if it was their mother or grandmother who required help.
Unfortunately I think sometimes the attitude comes from management trying to take short cuts (to save money), or choosing to be blind to what is actually going on.
It's great when staff are able to work together to compliment each other and residents benefit. Unfortunately some AINs see it beneath them to assist RAOs but expect us to pick up the slack.

Mothers Day celebration High Care Unit.

Not only did our residents have a great time so did our families and staff.

We started with a high tea for morning tea with minature cup cakes, then had games to involve the men, their job was to put nappies on the doll. We used cloth nappies then introduced them to the disposal nappy.

One of our ladies judged the best one. Laughter all round, even our CEO got involved.

Our room was decorated very family orientated with ironing board and washing on the line, I had dolls on the floor as though the children were playing games, and even one sleeping in the bassinet.

The ladies played put the dummy in the babies mouth.

It's amazing how many mums could do this blind folded. One lady told me, this is easy as mums have eyes at the back of their heads. lol

This was a day full of fun, smiles and lots of laughter.

Our men enjoyed it so much they are talking about what we can do for fathers day.

I hope you enjoy our pictures as much as we enjoyed our day. regards Heather

Hi Everyone,
I have found this website a great resource in planning activities esp for special days.
I have been looking for activities for blind people as its hard for them to participate in all other activities. Any suggestions other than talking books and music would be geatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Jasmeet

Hi Lesley, what a great idea with the blind fold and spices identification. Thanks for your feedback.

Have played this many times plus with smell articles such as spices for cooking,and blind fold.Sight treats on a tray such as ginger biscuits, chocolate, vegies that were chopped and kept in vegie storage bag. had treat with morning coffee. It is a group surprise game as well with a reward. they love it.