Member Activities
Activities Submitted by Members
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Christmas Bingo
Christmas themed picture bingo! Calling cards start on page 17.
3 Comments New Member Activity
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Dance Hall Days Reminiscing
Dance Hall Days I did a reminisce session about the old dance hall days from the 1940's to 1960's in the UK and put together some questions.
3 Comments New Member Activity
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Halloween Bingo
A Halloween themed bingo to enjoy!
9 Comments Member Activity
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Thanksgiving Bingo
A Thanksgiving themed bingo to enjoy!
4 Comments Member Activity
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Broom and Pumpkin Race
The idea of the game is to be the first to sweep a small pumpkin or paper mache pumpkin over the finish line use small sweeping movements.
6 Comments Member Activity
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Rearrange Letters - Summer Theme
Try and unscramble the following summer themed words First letter provided!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Autumn Alphabet Challenge
Objectives: Recall, decision making. Can be done individually or as a group.
2 Comments Member Activity
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What is a Grandparent?
These quotes were taken from a class of 8-year-olds when they were asked "What is a Grandparent?" The answers are priceless!
1 Comment Member Activity
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Color Go Fish
Get hold of some individual card size paint swatches from a paint store. Play as you would go fish.
6 Comments Member Activity
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School Day Poems
I am putting together a session to share memories about School Days and found a couple of poems I will ask some of my members to read out. Hope it is of help to others!
1 Comment Member Activity
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Halloween Songs to Other Songs
As promised here is a book I did many years ago from sourcing songs for Halloween Carols
2 Comments Member Activity
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Red Hat ladies
I have found a booklet I put together of Red Hat songs and Christmas Carols...feel free to use, I gleaned these from the internet many years ago.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Coffee & Conversation
Many residents have told me they like talking about the past, but also like to keep up with whats happening now.'
1 Comment Member Activity
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Poems for September
I am always looking for poems every week/month and thought I would share the ones I have coming up for September!
6 Comments Member Activity
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Egg Bingo
Egg Bingo is made with egg cartons and table tennis balls. I borrowed the idea from a kids website and modified it. It worked so well that our clients commented how clever the idea was!
13 Comments Member Activity
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Give Back Bingo
At least twice a month we play bingo for prizes that will give back to the community. I provide a list of items needed and instead of the elders getting a prize for playing/winning we give it away to a community group.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Risk Assessment Form for Activities
Risk Assessment form for There seem to be plenty of risk assessments for external activities and bus outings but I couldn't source one for internally run activities so have formulated a Base template for internal activities risk assessments.activities
2 Comments Member Activity
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Noodle Ball
Noodle Ball Residents sit in a large circle and try to keep the ball in the air with the help of staff. Great for a range of motion: arms, legs, ankles, wrists and stretches back.
9 Comments Member Activity
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Arm Chair Travel with YouTube
Something that has worked really well in my home is a program I refer to as arm chair travel. So many of the residents here have traveled around in younger years, and are now not able to do so.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Pop Goes The Balloon
This is great for a large group and works well for individuals in chairs. Write simple tasks on small pieces of paper and insert them into balloons.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Sip and Paint
I provided clip art on canvas. We had sparkling juice. If your facility allows you can use wine.
9 Comments Member Activity
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Nearly New Boutique
We set up a lounge with rails and displayed items as a shop would. We had a dressmaking form with full outfit outside to attract attention and some nice mirrors. We invited residents to come and help themselves - no charge for anything.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Around the World Cruise
One day each week we choose a country and we talk about the chosen country and if anyone has visited there. We also have arts and crafts and make something related to the country.
1 Comment Member Activity
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The Magic Table: An Interactive Game
The magic table , an interactive game called Tovertafel
10 Comments Member Activity
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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.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Sort the Colours
I saved various coloured milk bottle tops until I had enough to use for this activity. Its great for visually impaired and dementia clients. The clients gain a sense of self esteem and satisfaction plus it helps with fine motor skills.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Whiteboard Word Quiz
We choose a letter of the alphabet and use that letter to try and get as many words as we can. We use different amounts of numbers each time eg 4 letter words starting B another time it might be 5 letter words starting with C.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Whiteboard Word Game
I do a word game on the whiteboard that the residents find challenging but fun.
9 Comments Member Activity
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Dancing Styles Quiz
A quiz about dances from around the world!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Modified Beer Pong
This activity is a party game I have tried and my residents have asked for it frequently on the programs calendar. It promotes hand-eye coordination, physical movement, cognitive functioning through concentration, and social inclusion through residents.
7 Comments Member Activity
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Sweetheart Tree
This is an activity which involves first crafting a tree. I brought in the tree and had my residents sit around the table, while I read out a question at the front of each card to the group. When a resident answered, I would write the answers on the backs of the cards.
3 Comments Member Activity
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True or False Lollipops
Each participant has two "lollipops", one with the word TRUE and the other with the word FALSE. Ask True or False questions and ask them to hold the lollipop with their chosen answer.
4 Comments Member Activity
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How Many Jelly Beans
Provide a jar of jelly beans and for a dollar a guess, participants are to guess how many jelly beans within the jar.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Market Day
Provide a store once a month selling various items such as chocolate, potato chips, soft drinks etc.
1 Comment Member Activity
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I Spy
We play this game as we travel on outings. Our clients enjoy this activity. Have fun and be as silly as you like!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Comedy Night
I decided that since Laughter is the best medicine, I would hold a comedy night. The residents laughed so hard. They can't wait until we do it again.
1 Comment Member Activity
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World Chocolate Day Menu
We are going to indulge in a chocolate-themed meal for residents and families.Starter is salmon in white chocolate sauce, main is cocoa rubbed baby rack of ribs and for dessert Chocolate fudge cake.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Which Transport is Faster
We had 4 tables named Trains, Boats, Planes and Cars.
I made 4 banners on sticks with the same names and gave these to 4 volunteers.1 Comment Member Activity
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Dollar Tree Auction
We go to dollar tree or find things around our facility we don't use and auction the items off!
2 Comments Member Activity
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Elderflower Cordial
I love to prepare seasonal recipes with our residents, and to prepare a cordial using fragrant elderflowers enables residents with varying skills to assist in this relatively easy task; it also provides a sense of the time of year, a reminiscence opportunity, and a social occasion - the big taste test!
1 Comment Member Activity
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Intergenerational Activities: Making the most of our local community
A year ago we had a visit from a childcare provider who was looking to do some intergenerational activities.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Air Drying Clay: Flower Pot Project
Our residents enjoyed this activity and were pleased with their project.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Phrases in other Languages
Try downloading or printing a list of the most basic phrases in other languages, such as French, Italian, Spanish, or a language in some of your resident's first language. You will find that some of the residents are conversant in more languages than English!
1 Comment Member Activity
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The amazing human body true or false
Wow your residents with these fun facts about the amazing human body they, and we live in.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Karaoke Happy Hour
I put a karaoke video on a big tv screen and gave some of the residents microphones. They sang songs that they knew. Some just watched and enjoy the activity.
1 Comment Member Activity
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National Reconciliation Week (Australia)
I have made a timeline of some of the events that have happened, which we can reflect with on the reconciliation journey
1 Comment Member Activity
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Springtime and History Quiz
This is a Quiz with the Questions on a piece of paper with images to illustrate each question.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Royal wedding theme morning
To celebrate the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle I have made a quick "Right Royal" quiz to have at our morning tea.
1 Comment Member Activity
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USA State Flag Quiz
Print and Enjoy!
1 Comment Member Activity
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Trivia and Games for International Nurses Day
To celebrate International Nurses day we had a morning tea and invited staff to tell their own stories. I also made a jigsaw puzzle from the attached skeleton. The other activity I did with them was to give each group the skeleton image with the names of the bones and had them draw a line to what bone they thought was correct.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Royal Quiz
Our members love picture quizzes so there's plenty of images in here!
5 Comments Member Activity
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Groups Quiz - People, Animals, Things
The following activity is a flow on from the quizzes that regularly appear in Golden Carers. I used this recently at a monthly residents' birthday party which encompasses many stages of dementia.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Cress Heads
Get some cups and stretch clean end of tights over them. Sprinkle with cress seeds and fill up with earth.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Bird Types Matching Game
A matching game with trivia to stimulate conversation and cognitive functioning!
7 Comments Member Activity
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Rhythm Activity with Percussion Instruments
To work fine psychomotricity (hands and fingers) and strengthen memory, rhythms are learned. With the help of wooden percussion instruments, from different countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, Spain - accompany popular Latin music.
6 Comments Member Activity
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ANZAC Day - Two Up Dice Game
I made this game for the residents that could not play the traditional Two Up game. It is played with Dice rather than coins.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Documentaries
My residents love documentaries. All kinds of them, on almost any subject. You can find many on youtube for free.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Jingle Jangle
Using the powerpoint, scroll through and get the residents to guess which product the jingle or slogan relates to. You can always adapt this to include the youtube advertisement or tune.
8 Comments Member Activity
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Teddy Bears Visual Quiz - Guess the famous bear
We had a teddy bears picnic and held a guess the famous bear quiz!
2 Comments Member Activity
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Spring has Sprung
This is an art and craft activity I have been doing with residents. They really enjoyed playing with colours and listening to some relaxing music from 50s.
6 Comments Member Activity
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Closed Terrarium
Here is a fun closed terrarium experiment to enjoy with your residents!
1 Comment Member Activity
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Resident Facilitated Historical Sessioin
Recently we gathered together residents who had attended the same school in our local community.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Pudding Football
An easy and fun way to have an activity that incorporates movement, hand-eye coordination and makes a snack all at the same time!
2 Comments Member Activity
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Passover: The 4 Questions
We have residents who are Jewish and those who are not who enjoy learning about this cultural and important holiday.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Rebus Puzzles - PowerPoint Presentation
Collection of almost 300 Rebus puzzles gathered over the last few months.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Hands on Tote Art Project
A great intergenerational activity with older children, using skills to trace, color and cut under the supervision of senior residents or staff. This activity promotes teamwork and creates a special bond between seniors and children.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Easter Egg Treasure Hunt
Get the residents to hide Easter Eggs in their community. Then invite staff or children brought in from a local pre-school to hunt for them while residents watch or assist them to collect them in baskets to be shared later.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Miniature Flower Pot
Why not create your own miniature garden with the Residents in your care? They can make a community garden in their common area or have individual gardens in their own room for their visitors to admire
1 Comment Member Activity
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Miniature Ornament
Animals are often a source of love, comfort and joy for many in our community. I discovered some packs of small animals in the toy section of my local supermarket. With a little imagination a mini ornament was created.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Miniature Cactus
This is a wonderful creative outlet for the individual in a group setting. There are many items you can create with salt dough and the challenge in this activity is to achieve the correct portions for the pot in use.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Postcard Crossing Postcard Exchange
Instead of the traditional Pen pals why not join the Postcard initiative and send and receive some postcards from around the world.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Alphabet Game
Our Alzheimer's residents really love being able to remember words. It makes them feel proud that they have not forgotten everything yet!
4 Comments Member Activity
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Competitive Tabletop Badminton Balloon Bowling (it makes sense, I promise)
The object of the game is for each team to try and knock the opposite team's pins down by hitting the balloon at them with their rackets.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Cut & Paste Poems (World Poetry Day)
A fun and interesting activity you can do for World Poetry Day.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Race Around Australian Trivia game
The object of the game is for each team to roll one dice and starting in Tasmania, work their way around Australia answering the quiz cards as they go.
9 Comments Member Activity
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Waitangi Day Craft Activity
Make a Korowai (feather cloak) with paper feathers! Korowai are taonga (treasures) that are often worn on special occasions.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Chinese Fortune Sticks - Craft
People of the Chinese culture have been consulting fortune tellers, alchemists and soothsayers, since time immemorial. This is one of the Craft Activities I am doing with my residents to celebrate Chinese new year.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Chinese Zodiac Napkin Holders
Napkin holders with the animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Coffee Club
We do a coffee club in the morning with brewed coffee and often home-baked biscuits. We have a look through the papers and discuss the headlines and do the crossword.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Cover the Number - Dice Game
Here is an easy, fun dice game to play with residents - template provided.
9 Comments Member Activity
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Personalized Flowers
Everyday residents are welcomed with their personalized flower and name.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Aussie Bingo
This Bingo game I made for the Australia day celebrations. It is a picture Bingo of Aussie landmarks and icons.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Surburban Names and Aboriginal meanings
This is an activity that I play on Australia Day or for NAIDOC week.
4 Comments Member Activity
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What State is That Town From?
As part of Australia Day celebrations I made up this game. On a whiteboard I wrote up all of Australia's States and Territories (or you could draw a map).
3 Comments Member Activity
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Birthday / Family Discs
I saw this idea in a magazine, so I can't take the credit, and I thought this would be lovely for the residents.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Choose Your Own Adventure Books
One of my colleagues had the great idea to try "Choose Your Own Adventure Books" with the residents. I tried it one afternoon and they loved it!
6 Comments Member Activity
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Catchphrase
This has gone down really well with our patients and it encourages them to communicate, think and reminisce.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Cooling Down
Cut seedless watermelon into bite-size pieces during the hot days and give out to residents.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Death By Chocolate a Murder Mystery
I would highly recommend holding a Murder Mystery! It's scripted, so make sure to buddy-up people with poor vision/hearing with someone able to see/hear.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Volunteer Appreciation Night
I hold this in December every year. We give our volunteers a mulled wine reception and a free raffle where everyone gets something nice.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Snowball Garland
Make a snowball garland with embroidery thread and cotton balls.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Golcce - Low-impact Golf and Bocce Hybrid
My guys in my Men's Group LOVE Golcce! Especially those who have always loved to play golf but can no longer do so because of physical limitations.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Adapted Dreidel Game
Hanukkah is a fun, exciting, family-oriented, Jewish holiday celebrated in December. There are many traditions associated with this holiday. One of them is playing dreidel which is a special top spinning game.
2 Comments Member Activity
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The Story of Hanukkah
Hanukkah holiday honors the struggle of the Jewish people to restore the Temple of Jerusalem.
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Two More Thanksgiving Songs
Here are two more songs for a Sound of Music themed Thanksgiving celebration!
1 Comment Member Activity
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Penny Toss
Draw circles all over a bulletin board paper. Put 1 prize in the center of each circle.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Balloons and Bubbles
This suits all levels of dementia and ability. One lady can only smile. And she grinned from ear to ear when a balloon came her way.
6 Comments Member Activity
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All Occasions Bag
This idea was given as a valentines bag, could be used for any occasion.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Christmas Bulb Dice Game
A simple, Christmas Game for small groups.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Makin' Turkey (Thanksgiving song)
Makin' Turkey (Thanksgiving song)- Final edit
2 Comments Member Activity
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Active Monopoly
Active Monopoly is almost the same as normal Monopoly (the same rules apply), except that instead of a board and counters/pieces you use the floor and the players walk around the 'board'.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged
Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and shaking hand...3 Comments Member Activity
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Weddings Word Search
A Word Search with a Wedding Theme - Created using the Golden Carers DIY Word Search Program :)
1 Comment Member Activity
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Find Your Family Crest / Tartan
Help your clients use technology to find out the meaning of their surname by using the internet.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Sports Afternoon
We decided to try a very gentle afternoon of sports. We had 10 playing, it took an hour and we had great fun. Will definitely repeat.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Thanksgiving Song
Here is another fun songwriting activity you can do with your groups for Thanksgiving. My Thanksgiving Foods (to tune of "My Favorite Things")
7 Comments Member Activity
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Remembrance Day Poem
I would like to share a poem I wrote for Remembrance Day.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Halloween Carols
My groups love to do songwriting activities. A favorite thing to do is rewrite lyrics to a familiar song. Here are some examples. O Pumpkin Pie (to the tune of O Christmas Tree)...
6 Comments Member Activity
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Deal or No Deal
I have found this to be one of our favorite things to do! The fun of it is, that the prizes are not expensive and some of the prizes are "booby prizes" and they really get a kick out of that.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Chair Soccer
Sit residents in a chair in a circle and ask the residents to kick the ball to each other without going out of the circle. 20 residents can play this game!
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Rhythm game - Name That Tune
Pass out rhythm instruments. Leader has a drum and leads group with game. The game is a variation of "Name that Tune" using rhythms only.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Teaching Songwriting Ingredients
Hi! I thought I’d share a fun musical activity to use with songwriting.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Halloween Ten Pin Bowling
This is both an art activity and a games activity. For an afternoon of fun, turn the game into a team tournament - winners get a treat losers get a trick.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Diversional Therapy Information Sheet
When a Resident transfers to another facility for any such reason, it is, I'm sure, very helpful to the next DT/Activities person, to know a little about the 'new' Resident immediately on transfer/arrival.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Residents’ Rights Bingo
A Residents’ Rights themed Bingo!
2 Comments Member Activity
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How to Write a Biopoem
A bio poem is a poem that is written to describe a person. Here is a template you could use to write one.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Double O Word Game
Boo! It's Halloween! A great activity that I've done with my group before is called "The Double O Game". We try to list as many words as we can that have a double O in them.
3 Comments Member Activity
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World Animal Day Church Service
We have a regular Anglican service and last year our therapy dog was invited to the church service for world animal day. The Minister spoke about the role of animals and the therapy dogs owner spoke about the role of the dog in her life and in that of the home.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Kitten Therapy
Approach a cat rescue centre and ask if they would be willing to bring in some kittens. Residents who often wander will remain seated for extended periods of time watching the kittens.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Shortbread Biscuits
This is a really simple baking recipe, which is good for all residents. Your residents can use their hands to mix the ingredients into a bread-crumb consistency, before pulling it all together in a dough.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Puppetry for the Elderly
Joyous interaction with self and others is vital to health. I do not believe that puppetry is too childish for the aged.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Labor Day Music Program
Host a sing along or music discussion using songs that relate to one's occupation.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Games Around The Room
Place several different board games and other table top games around tables in a room. Activities could include Jenga, Snakes and Ladders, Guess Who, Cards, Ludo, Dominoes.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Intergeneration Activities
It is important that senior members of the community feel linked with the rest of society.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Guess the Celebrity Ages
We decided to create a guessing game for our residents and adapted it so that it could be used with a wide range of abilities. It was a really fun and easy to make activity, you can add celebrities that are well known in your area!
10 Comments Member Activity
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Sundownder Music
Between 5pm and 6 pm in the Dementia-Specific House, Residents are agitated and restless. To help calm them down, I get out an iPad and get onto Youtube.
15 Comments Member Activity
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Blank Word Search Grid for Residents
Here is 10 x 10 grid that I used to help the residents make their own words searches which they can share. It is easy enough to do and makes residents feel good that they created something.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Milkshake Trivia
Here is some interesting trivia about the history of milkshakes to enjoy!
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Chocolate Milkshake Word Search
A milkshake themed word search!
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Prize Walk
I placed numbers on the floor 1-20 in a circle (just like a cake-walk). I played music as the residents danced and walked the circle.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Taste Test Savoury Nibbles
I bought 10 different types of savoury snacks with unusual flavours and residents guessed the flavour. We also had interesting trivia such as which countries eat the most or least crisps and easy true false questions the history of crisps pretzels etc.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Guess the Number of Lollies in a Jar
Fill a jar with Jelly Beans or other suitable lollies, (count them as you put them in)
2 Comments Member Activity
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Show Day Games - Guess the Weight
Fill a container of any sort that can be filled with rice, sugar, sand or any other suitable product. Ensure it is easy for residents to pick up.
2 Comments Member Activity
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The Money or the Bag
We had a board with numbered envelopes stuck on it. (The prizes were written on a piece of paper in each envelope).
3 Comments Member Activity
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BIG Memory Cards
I simply print off the pictures I want, together with a "Question Mark" for the reverse side, and slip them into the empty DVD covers.
7 Comments Member Activity
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5 of Quiz
This is a list of everyday items, people, places etc and you give the title subject out and the residents have to answer.
1 Comment Member Activity
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All Things Weddings
Ask staff and families to bring in albums, framed photographs, gowns (bridal or guest) etc. It is amazing how much you will collect!
2 Comments Member Activity
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Guess Who?
I get the staff to bring in a young photo of themselves. The photo goes up on the notice-board for a week with entry forms. Some of the guesses are hilarious!
2 Comments Member Activity
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Indoor putting weekly league
Golf is recognised as a good activity for promoting mental, physical and social wellbeing. Putting is a relaxing and ideal indoor activity that can be done by people with previous golfing skills and those who have never played before.
6 Comments Member Activity
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Quicktionary
This is a game I purchased but I think it can be adapted and created by hand. The object is to be the first to shout out a word that meets all three conditions.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Name 3 Word Game
My group loves Brain Games! Name 3 or 5 or 7... :)
Boy names, flowers, cheeses, ways to cook eggs...5 Comments Member Activity
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Special Morning Tea - Themed
We invite residents from another area in our complex to come and have a special morning tea with us.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Creative Hand Fans
Our creative staff in China came up with this idea due to the hot summer days we get in Beijing. Cheap craft stores and dollar shops sometimes have these in the craft section.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Bark Art / Feather Art
Provide templates that enhance the use of the bark material such as the Owl Template attached. Collect paperbark and encourage the Residents to peel the bark into fine, small pieces. The result is organic and realistic. A very beautiful artwork.
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NAIDOC Week Flag Decorating
Come together and decorate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags for NAIDOC week.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Giant Scrabble
Played like normal scrabble but on a larger scale. We drew a large scrabble board on the whiteboard and stuck magnets to the back of the tiles, this meant clients needed to stand up and move around while playing the game.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Famous Faces
Download various faces of famous people, present and past. Show the residents the face and have them guess the famous face. We also have a little discussion on each person.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Winter Campfire
Take a journey down memory lane by engaging each resident in sharing their experiences of camping or holidays they remember.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Around the World
This is a wonderful interactive armchair travel activity for residents of all capabilities and great for one-on-ones or group sessions. Using a world globe and your ipad you can transport someone to another Country, talk about their culture, food, economy, music, lifestyle, dress, traditions, famous places, famous people, etc. It really is endless what you can discuss in these sessions.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Suburb & Neighbourhood Picture Match
Hi all I've made this activity a few times for our residents and they enjoy it greatly. I print pictures that make up a name of a suburb or neighbourhood for example Rose Park, I print a picture of a Rose then another of a Park and place them side by side.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Mad Hatters Tea Party
To host a mad hatters tea party is a very easy thing to do. Let your imagination run wild and be inspired by anything whimsical and enchanting and of course Alice in Wonderland. The looks on our Residents faces when they saw how amazing this was, was worth every minute spent.
7 Comments Member Activity
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Things you dont see any more!
This discussion came out of someone saying "you don't see jumble sales anymore". This lead me to think of all the things we don't see now.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Google Search
I've added "Google Search" to our activities calendar. I ask residents to think of something that they would like to know the answer to.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Story time
I go around the room write down the residents first name, then ask each resident for a word. I put that word under their name then we make up a short story using their names and their words. Lots of fun and laughter!
7 Comments Member Activity
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Restless Residents in the Night
I suggest that each staff menber has a dressing gown or pyjamas they can pop on when answering a call bell or redirecting a resident back to bed. It's a visual prompt for residents that cannot differentiate between night and day
3 Comments Member Activity
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Favourite TV Ads
I have put together a list of TV Ads old and new using their catch phrase. I have laminated the phrase and the answer into strips and put a magnet on the back. It brought back lots of memories.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Balloon tennis
This activity is an easy, social, gross motor game, suitable for differing levels of cognitive and physical disability. Lots of fun and laughs too. Definitely a staple gross motor favourite.
13 Comments Member Activity
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'A' My Name Is...
The object of this game is by using the alphabet, each participant tries to think of a corresponding name (male and female), place, and thing. This game always provides everyone with a lot of laughter and the staff really gets into too!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Look & Listen
I invited & encouraged my Residents to bring along something precious to them, to our Activity Group.
8 Comments Member Activity
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Cooking for Italian Day - Cannoli Dip
Easy-peasy cannoli dip recipe that is absolutely delicious!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Pin the Band-Aid on the Injury
Great alternative to Pin the Tail on the Donkey and as an activity for world nurses day. Adapt the game for those that may lose their balance easily by having them sit in front of the board before closing their eyes to place their band-aid.
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Horticulture
Since we live in a rural area, many of our residents have grown up farming and gardening. While they are with us either long term or short term, they are encouraged to continue this hobby.
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Fortune Fun
Have the residents write their own fortunes/lucky numbers on small pieces of paper. Then get them to help create the dough for the fortune cookies! These cookies can be used for dessert at dinner or as a snack. Either way, the residents will enjoy creating the cookies and sharing their words of wisdom with the rest of the community.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Peanut Auction
This is the most popular activity that we do and our Residents absolutely love it. It's a lot of fun with lots of laughs for not much money! The residents go crazy! Oh my....they are so competitive.
8 Comments Member Activity
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Name the Body Parts
How quickly can you name ten body parts that have 3 letters? No abbreviations or slang words!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Would you, Could you, Have you?
Each resident picks a slip from an envelop or basket and answers the questions: would you, could you, have you? Then open the question to the room. Often this provides real insight into each residents character.
1 Comment Member Activity
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A Poem for Nurses
I would to share a poem I wrote for International Nurses Day.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Fishing Outing
We take our residents down to the local fishing club, they really enjoy this outing. The men get wheeled or walk down to the jetty and have a fish.
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Springtime Engagement
What makes spring unique for you? Do you like to be outside and feel the sun on your face? ffer opportunities for walking, and take time to enjoy the flowers and signs of spring.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Mystery Brisbane Cryptic Quiz
A fun quiz for people who know the suburbs of Brisbane.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Tea Pot planters
Inexpensive and fun craft! We will be filling them with soil and herb seeds. We love Decoupage!
4 Comments Member Activity
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Art-Based Cognitive Therapy: Palm Sketch
Art-based Cognitive Therapy is of great benefit and may be included in a well-being program. Residents can be introduced to watercolour and acrylic painting. In this activity, residents first create a beautiful and colorful backdrop with paint and then sketch their palms after learning about the 4 major lines of the palm.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Teddy Bears Picnic Party/Get together
A few years ago I did a teddy bears picnic. Living in England I knew it would have to be an indoor picnic! It was one of the best 'things' I have done.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Rhyming Ball
This game is very simple. The game starts when the starting player throws the ball to another player and says a word (for example: dog)
4 Comments Member Activity
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Poetry Mad Libs
The game Mad Libs AKA Word Blanks, is a fun game for all ages where you blank out key words in a sentence and then add in new random words without knowing the context.
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Decoupage Wooden Hangers
I purchased 24 wooden hangers and some beautiful and inexpensive paper napkins. Sanded down the hangers and decoupaged using Modge Podge. Voila!
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Items We All Lose
We had so much fun & great communication between residents as they thought they were the only one that had misplacing items. Every time a resident placed an item on the "list" others would comment that they have done the same.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Brain Training
We often make mind maps during our brain training sessions. Anyway, we thought we would see how many daft/silly/funny/ songs we could come up with.
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Book Fruit Salad
A fun group activity for seniors! Write down famous lines from well-known books and then hand out to residents and get them to read their line. Wait for the laughs!
2 Comments Member Activity
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Cars Quiz, Trivia and Word Search
This is for the men and ladies who like cars. Good for reminiscing! Includes a quiz, word search and interesting trivia.
7 Comments Member Activity
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Numbers, Numbers and More Numbers
A fun numbers quiz for seniors!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Little Leprechaun Hats
These little Leprechaun hats look great as a mass display or as table centrepieces for any Irish celebration including St Patrick’s Day on 17th March.
7 Comments Member Activity
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Match Ups
After watching a Montessori video I decided to make my own resources. As dementia clients retain the ability to read for a long time I use words to match with pictures.
19 Comments Member Activity
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IRELAND Cryptic Quiz
All the following answers have the letters IRE somewhere in the word. A fun quiz for the elderly!
4 Comments Member Activity
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The Life and Tunes of X
We gather information about a famous singer that guests will know with some interesting facts.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Jailhouse Trivia
Nominate three residents to go to jail (make up a silly story: You are hereby arrested for the crime of talking during an activity and are being sent to jail.)
2 Comments Member Activity
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Irish Carpet Bowls
We play bowls using a turnip for a Jack and potatoes as bowls.
9 Comments Member Activity
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Motown Jeopardy
Utilize the supplied template for Motown artists and songs.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Drawing from Numbers
There are many easy learn-to-draw techniques out there, however none are quite as easy as Drawing from Numbers!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Try a New Brew
I have bought a wide variety of teas from around the world. Each resident will have a china cup, we will have a bucket for any slops and some fresh water to rinse the cups.
7 Comments Member Activity
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Mozart's Birthday Creative Art Project
Pencil in some music script lines, a treble clef and a base clef on A3 poster paper....
4 Comments Member Activity
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Cookie Pops
Buy Pillsbury cookie dough. Put a popsicle stick in each ball and bake. They are fun to make and fun to eat.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Eyeglass Lens Brooch
Take old eyeglasses and remove the lenses (you can also buy them at the dollar store). Cut out a favorite picture using the lenses as templates for sizing...
9 Comments Member Activity
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Sample Activities Calendars
Sample monthly and weekly activity calendars for activity coordinators working in nursing homes. I know from experience that when i first started at a rest home I was thrown in the deep end, and I just thought by sharing this it may help out a newbie to develop their activities program. This is a wonderful resource to help you plan ahead. Thanks to everyone who has shared their calendar.
42 Comments Member Activity
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Mobile Pancake Parlour
Visit each resident with your trolley delivering pancakes with their favourite topping. We find everyone loves the 1:1 interaction. Assistance may be needed for some to eat the pancakes but this is easily overcome by visiting those residents last or visiting at mealtime.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Find the link words
This is an a activity I found to be stimulating and challenging. Just find the middle word that connects the two words either side.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Kindness Advent Calendar
Kindness Advent Calendar
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Dice Game
Here's a fun and simple dice game to try. Thanks Gaylene!
2 Comments Member Activity
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Campfire Theme Social
Let's bring the outside inside. The responses that I have gotten from the residents have all been positive. The campfire brings back some good memories of family times, cottage life and being on a farm.
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Charades #2
I have a growing list of words & phrases that i print in large font, then laminate.I also put the 'category' on the card, to make it easier if they choose to reveal, such as 'Elvis Presley' (famous person), 'cat got your tongue' (saying), 'opening an umbrella' (action), 'hula hoop' (object).
2 Comments Member Activity
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I appreciate the time and effort you put into finding and creating activities for seniors. I especially appreciate the freebies as I am a volunteer which implies I do not receive a paycheck so I really count on the free items your site offers and put them to good use at the PC and Dementia facility I volunteer at.
Merrilynn Wheeler
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