Solange

Hi Brandel, the idea has a lot of potential. You could try putting an advertisement in your local paper offering your services or placing a note on the bulletin boards (community board) of Churches. The first job may not be easy to find but once you get it the ‘word-of-mouth’ will do the rest. All the best of luck!

Hi, Jodi, you will find a happy medium, sure. It happens to all of us at the start of our careers.
Soon you will know the popular activities and get to know the clients better and everything falls into place. Good luck and thanks.

Hi Karen, great idea, really funny. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Shirley, what an engaging activity; so simply giving everyone the opportunity to participate. Thank you very much for sharing.

Hi, Maggie. Since Christmas is coming soon you could try decorating/icing Christmas cookies, and cork craft; making small trees in the shape of Christmas trees. Do not cut the corks for safety reasons. Let them glue the corks together and decorate them as they like it. Also, they may enjoy sorting games like a deck of card to separate into suits or numbers, and colour sorting, https://www.goldencarers.com/colour-sorting/3274/ , balloons’ games, untying wool sweaters, Beach Ball game (a large beach ball tossed gently by feet to clients sitting in a circle.

Hi Martha, you could try indoor activities like Carpet Bowls or Bowling ’Tournaments’ or a picnic in a local park; all very social and entertaining activities.

Hi Roslyn, thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated. Here are other words that have possibly 100 plus words: Unbelievable - Entertainment - Promotion – Distraction - Amusement.
All the best!

Hi, Amanda, it depends on what subject you choose for reminiscing. For instance, if you choose 'Weddings', prior to the session you could borrow items related to weddings: dresses, costs, veils, bridesmaids, flowers, photo albums, etc. You may also introduce participants to the wedding traditions of other cultures such as Indian and Greek weddings. You will find other themes for reminiscing sessions in this link:
https://www.goldencarers.com/reminiscing-activities-for-seniors/3184/

You are quite right George. Activity & Lifestyle workers don’t enter the industry for the paycheck. However very few leave because they are passionate about their chosen profession. I can’t speak for Ireland but in most countries, Activity Professionals have a monthly budget; they certainly are not expected to pay for materials. I am afraid you are feeling down because you are overworked. Consider requesting Management for a monthly budget and place an add in your church or supermarket community board for some volunteers to help you out with the workload. We are all in the same boat, it is not a ‘rosy’ job, but oh! so worthy and fulfilling; it is a privilege to engage with our elders.
All the best.

Hi, Hannah, with high functioning clients there is quite a number of possibilities. Here are a few ideas for activities:
Gardening - give clients some rubber gloves, potting mixture, and terracotta/plastic containers to plant flowers or vegetable seedlings.
‘Finish the story’ – Read them a short story but refrain from reading the ending. Ask a client or two to make up the ending. Then read the short story ending. Sometimes clients’ endings are better than the story's ending.
Sculpting – Creating with air dry clay is a delightful way to socialise and promote self-expression; a simple small pot for jewellery or vase for flowers.
Radio/Audio activities – Many visually impaired clients will enjoy the fabulous podcasts available these days; plays, comedy, short stories, documentaries. Find out what is available in your area.
Potpourri – Making potpourri sachets of dried herbs or flowers; lavender, rose, rosemary. They can be given away as gifts (Christmas is closing in!) or cherished.