Darla

Good Idea Kim,

We have laptop and ipad, and a projector with attachment for both.

I also have access to a globe, and hadn't thought to use this way.

Thank you for the amazing idea,

Thank you for this article. It came at the right time.

Hello Kiaharnie,
In a high care area, I provide the following therapies:

Pet therapy visits (one to one)

Breadmaker Baking - where the smells can be comforting, safer to leave unattended.

Aromatherapy with old scents, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, black licorice, essential
oils (peppermint, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, citrus), Irish spring men's soap, old spice men's soap, rose water women's scent.

Quiet music, dim lights, and warm hand lotion (hospital supply).

Shaped wooden objects unfinished. birds, trees, deer, ect. We sand them to smooth, then varnish with olive oil and black tea(stain) and apply with cheesecloth. All safe and non toxic. One of our male volunteers has a supply of pine and he shapes them at home on his band saw and router tools.

Sing A-Capella with a small group. Just pick up some tunes and start to sing. Older songs that all know well. ( I use song book to remember some of the older tunes). This idea even works in the middle of a reading program, stop or break for a song or two.

And bocce ball ( lightweight) works with a small group, or even large foam dice with pips (#) marked on each side. From Flaghouse PE & Rec Supply Catalogue. In a small group, we throw them to the floor in center and shout out the count together. Releases tension, the group can count (no pressure to answer if forgotten how) , and it gives you, as a therapist, an indication of the domains your residents' are meeting. Do they need cueing? Can they follow independently? who does the counting - and accurately? How long are they able to play?

Another game with the large throwing dice is adapted Yahtzee, We have a scoreboard to mark the score. Each player gets 3 throws (as in Yahtzee) and the best choice is scored, ie full house, three of a kind + count, Yahtzee, small straight, and chance, ect.

For most game winnings, I do not offer prizes, but a head pamper massage for the winner. This provides human touch, and expertise is not required. I wash my hands after each head pamper. The residents seem to like this winning reward.

A small men's group blackjack game with coffee and specialty creamer (ie Bailey's Irish Cream). This works well for men's group. I bring quarters from home. This is an adapted blackjack game, and we generally throw the quarters back in the pot for the next Saturday morning. It's different than Bingo and builds a bond.

I am finding simpler is better for high care unit (mostly ambulatory men). And I gear the activities towards men's former careers or occupations. Amazon. CA or .COM has great adult coloring books for pictures and storytelling. We do color or watercolor paint, while looking at the pics and reminiscing. Fishing, Exploring the country, old farming life, ect.

Hope some of them are helpful.

Darla

If I may comment and adjust your , "Who Am I" Game; I have one made up in a 3 ringed binder book called" Famous Faces Biography".
On the front side of a page in sheet protector, I place a large color print portrait of a person for all residents/clients to view, and on the back side of this photo portrait I write the phrases as you have. I start with, "my claim to fame is .... a sportsman i.e. Wayne Gretsky; or a politician i.e. Chamberlin, or a musician of country music i.e. Johnny Cash, ect.

This way, depending on the audience, they have a chance to view the person. For crowds with higher cognitive function, I ask the more difficult biography phrases first to give them more of a challenge.

Respectfully,
Darla Spiry
Activity Coordinator in Canada

The Recreation Therapy program (Gerontology) is recently introduced in our facility. Your suggestion of survey and evaluation of programs is on track with offering the best choices in leisure. Our residents and clients deserve the very best activity and recreation choices that we can offer, and the information you have provided today is very useful and helpful.

What a wonderful idea for the summer! When our stampede week takes place in July (Calgary Stampede); our residential facility holds a Cowboy Day event. Your ideas are fantastic and I will share with our recreation team, and our other support services to get these ideas rolling.

Golden Carers is our most useful resource, thank you for all the wonderful ideas over the years.

Darla

Thank you Albert for the callofroad.com site. This one will be used in our facility.

Nice work on the English history from you tube and ideas of sandwiches and Royal Trivia for Queen Victoria Birthday at the end of May.

Great ideas! Love this Activity site.

Darla

Hello,
I use balloons; Mylar balloons, as we are unable to use latex. Could someone tell me where I could locate 90 cm balloons, which are larger ones? We have a great time with giant beach ball in circle, and I am interested in the giant balloon.

Darla
in Canada

Fantastic Idea. Able to decorate the tree with paper, and with festive designs. Thank you!

Cathy,
A very good resource. Thank you for sharing.
Darla