Member Activities
Activities Submitted by Members
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Creative Pursuits That Improve Quality of Life
As people age, they should continue to express themselves and learn new things.
Creative pursuits are known to enhance communication and concentration, with more opportunities for recreation and socialization.New Member Share
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The Role of the Activity Staff in Palliative Care
This article is designed to help make your engagement with people in palliative care easier.
1 Comment Member Share
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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.
2 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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!
5 Comments Member Share
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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.
6 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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Tie One On Party
A "Tie One On Party", is a party where everyone wears a tie.
This is a simple and fun theme for a party that everyone will enjoy!Member Share
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How to Celebrate Chocolate Milkshake Day
A great day to celebrate on September 12 is, "Chocolate Milkshake Day". This is a US holiday, but no matter where you live, your residents will enjoy it.
Member Share
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Milkshake Trivia
Here is some interesting trivia about the history of milkshakes to enjoy!
Member Share
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How to Celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, often called the High Holidays, are the two most holy days of the year for those who are Jewish.
Member Share
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Chocolate Milkshake Word Search
A milkshake themed word search!
Member Share
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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.
2 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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).
2 Comments Member Share
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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.
4 Comments Member Share
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How to Help People Find Their Sense of Purpose
A sense of purpose boosts self-esteem, generates positivity, and makes people feel happier. It gives them a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
3 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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How to Build Positive Relationships with Residents
In long-term care organizations reciprocity in relationships between staff and clients is essential to wellbeing.
3 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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!
1 Comment Member Share
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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.
5 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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Forgiveness Activities
Practising forgiveness is a worthy pursuit. It is a wonderful opportunity to let go of hurtful feelings and build stronger relationships.
1 Comment Member Share
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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.
1 Comment Member Share
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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 Share
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Optimal Activities - Marketing, Fundraising & Sourcing Free Resources
How do we overcome time, staff and budget constraints to make optimal activities happen for our residents?
3 Comments Member Share
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Optimal Activities - Staff & The Physical Environment
An optimal activity environment greatly influences your ability to provide the best possible activities for your residents.
4 Comments Member Share
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What to Include in a Staff Meeting
It is necessary to communicate regularly with your staff. You should have a formal meeting at least once per quarter.
1 Comment Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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How to Communicate with Body Language
For many people living in care facilities, the means to communicate verbally has become limited or lost due to dementia and this can significantly impact self-esteem. The good news is that over 90% of communication is non-verbal.
4 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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!
6 Comments Member Share
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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
2 Comments Member Share
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How to Create a Culture of Happiness
Laughter improves well-being, social engagement, and quality of life. Often it’s the small simple things that will bring smiles and ignite giggles.
4 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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Look & Listen
I invited & encouraged my Residents to bring along something precious to them, to our Activity Group.
7 Comments Member Share
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Cooking for Italian Day - Cannoli Dip
Easy-peasy cannoli dip recipe that is absolutely delicious!
3 Comments Member Share
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How to Decrease Problem Behaviors
For any staff member, dealing with a person who has dementia, especially those with problem behaviors, can be challenging at times. How can you make the best of any situation?
4 Comments Member Share
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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.
2 Comments Member Share
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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.
2 Comments Member Share
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5 Mother's Day Activities for Dementia Care
Mother’s Day is about honouring the women who helped shape our lives. While this day holds significance for many, it can also be an excellent opportunity for residents with dementia to engage in sensory and cognitive stimulation.
3 Comments Member Share
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The Importance of Daily Living Activities for the Elderly
Many elders leave behind a lifestyle they dearly wish to maintain when they enter a care environment. Tapping into someone's muscle memory with daily living tasks will assist in meeting their need to feel valued and purposeful.
3 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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.
6 Comments Member Share
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12 Activity Recycling Ideas
I love scouring local op shops and garage sales for items that may be of use in my role as a recreational activities officer. Recycling is not only good for the environment, but provides the materials for interesting and enjoyable activities for our residents.
6 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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A Poem for Nurses
I would to share a poem I wrote for International Nurses Day.
1 Comment Member Share
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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.
1 Comment Member Share
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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 Share
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Mystery Brisbane Cryptic Quiz
A fun quiz for people who know the suburbs of Brisbane.
1 Comment Member Share
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Tea Pot planters
Inexpensive and fun craft! We will be filling them with soil and herb seeds. We love Decoupage!
3 Comments Member Share
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Dealing with Grief: How to Cope when clients pass away
Working in aged care is extremely interesting and rewarding, but it’s also heartbreaking as most of our clients end up dying. We are in a constant state of grief yet most of us push the sadness aside and muster up the strength to carry on for the sake of the others.
12 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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Be The Change You Want To See
When I started as an aged care worker 30 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. Showering, dressing, toileting and feeding were all part of a task orientated day for the people I cared for in an aged care facility.
10 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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.
1 Comment Member Share
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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!
1 Comment Member Share
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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 Share
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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.
Member Share
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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!
1 Comment Member Share
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5 Fun Technology Activities for Residents
With existing hardware your facility already has (like laptops, projectors, tablets), activity coordinators can access a multitude of free online resources and tools that will usher in a wave of new, fun and unique experiences for residents.
2 Comments Member Share
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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.
6 Comments Member Share
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Numbers, Numbers and More Numbers
A fun numbers quiz for seniors!
2 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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.
18 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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Irish Carpet Bowls
We play bowls using a turnip for a Jack and potatoes as bowls.
8 Comments Member Share
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Motown Jeopardy
Utilize the supplied template for Motown artists and songs.
5 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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.
5 Comments Member Share
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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....
2 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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...
8 Comments Member Share
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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.
40 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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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 Share
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Kindness Advent Calendar
Kindness Advent Calendar
4 Comments Member Share
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Dice Game
Here's a fun and simple dice game to try. Thanks Gaylene!
2 Comments Member Share
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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.
2 Comments Member Share
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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 Share
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Giant Snakes and Ladders for any size group
Giant Snakes and Ladders for any size group. A fun activity for seniors.
7 Comments Member Share
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Round Robin Stories
First pick a topic, for instance, a wedding. Write down the story as you go along and lightly edit it connecting the characters so that it all comes together in the end. Print and distribute to residents who are very proud. This is a lovely activity for seniors!
6 Comments Member Share
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The 1940s Project
A project spread over two weeks. Start with a brainstorming session about the 1940s. Use visual stimuli, pictures and photographs.
2 Comments Member Share
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Read Along Books for Dementia Residents
Read Along books for dementia residents
5 Comments Member Share
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Getting Schools Involved
We had a group of art students paint murals for our fence in our Secure unit. This was so beautiful and a great way to get connect within the community.
5 Comments Member Share
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AFL Grand Final Game
We have a hand balling activity. This is a painted A frame board with a bulls-eye cut out in the middle big enough for a football to go through.
5 Comments Member Share
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Baby Word Search
Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 50 letters spell a secret message.
2 Comments Member Share
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Tuesday Juice Day
Make freshly squeezed juices for residents to enjoy.
2 Comments Member Share
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Fill out the form please
Most people have experience filling out forms and this activity is a great reminder of how to do a simple life skill. I've found this activity great for distracting those who 'want to go home', ask them to if they would mind filling out the paperwork first, sit them down, present them with a form, give them a pen, have a quick look in their care plan so you can help them with some of the info they may struggle with.
7 Comments Member Share
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Sporting Terms Quiz
Here is a Sporting Terms Quiz representing 25 of the sporting events at the Olympic Games. This quiz can be used as a competition and given out to individuals, or, as a group game by writing up the sporting terms column on a white board and having the residents call out the related sports.
2 Comments Member Share
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Magazine Collage
Great activity, calming and encouraging discussion and creativity. It really has been very therapeutic for the residents to create.
3 Comments Member Share
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Zumba
To coincide with the Rio Olympic theme we are following for August we got off to a blazing start with a session of 50+ Zumba.
7 Comments Member Share
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Concert - The Owl and the Pussycat
I thought you may be interested in an activity that we are doing at the moment. We are going to give a 4 act concert.
2 Comments Member Share
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Musical Masterpieces
This game is like musical chairs, but creative. It can be adapted for all fitness levels. Tell each participant to start drawing and when the music stops they give the picture to the person next to them. Continue to play music, change and draw until everyone has their original drawing back. Admire the strange masterpieces you have all created together. It makes for a lot of laughter.
4 Comments Member Share
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Friendship Day
I asked the residents to bring along anything they had which reminded them of a friend. It was quite amazing the effect the activity had on the residents.
2 Comments Member Share
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Colour Trivia
Aim: To stimulate cognitive function and refresh memory through a friendly trivia game suitable for all levels.
3 Comments Member Share
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First Aid Fun
We had a lot of fun with this. I printed off some simple first aid techniques & some old fashioned remedies.
3 Comments Member Share
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Chair Yoga
Through doing a social history with one of our residents I found out her daughter was a yoga instructor and asked if she would be interested in volunteering half an hour for a yoga session with our residents.
7 Comments Member Share
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Cocktail Making
Depending on your group's abilities they can cut and poor the ingredients, otherwise you can have them pre-made or do as a group which I have found works very well.
3 Comments Member Share
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Iconic Aussie Ads
Iconic Aussie Ads
1 Comment Member Share
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Zeroes In Quiz
Read group of words and figure out the item described. This is a fun group game to play with seniors in nursing homes. A great trigger for reminiscing.
3 Comments Member Share
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Name that Category
Rapid Fire .... Read clues...The responder can answer as quickly as possible giving the answer without needing all of the clues.
2 Comments Member Share
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Nursery Rhyme Quiz III
Depending on the age group, and of course personality traits, few have said they find them quite juvenile, and others love it and try to complete them... and are pleasantly surprised at , after all these years, how much they have retained!
3 Comments Member Share
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Reminiscence - Childhood Nursery Rhymes
Nursery Rhymes from the 1930s to Sing, Discuss & Reminisce about.
4 Comments Member Share
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Riddling Riddles
Some fun riddles to share to ponder over...
1 Comment Member Share
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Brand Names and Slogans Quiz 2
Match the Slogans of Yesteryear on the left with the Brands on the right. Suitable for people who grew up in North America. Quiz 2!
3 Comments Member Share
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Brand Names and Slogans Quiz 1
Match the Slogans of Yesteryear on the left with the Brands on the right. Suitable for people who grew up in North America. Quiz 1!
1 Comment Member Share
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Queens Birthday
We celebrated the Queens 90th Birthday by playing party games that we thought she might have played as a child.
1 Comment Member Share
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Memory Tray
A simple idea where a group of random objects are displayed on a tray for a limited period of time and then the clients try and recall what the items were.
5 Comments Member Share
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Open Sesame
Game for seniors..They need to match the key with the lock...You can provide all keys or padlocks on a tray at one time, and they each get an allotted time to try to unlock the padlocks in a designated amount of time.
2 Comments Member Share
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Show me the money
Although individuals living with dementia may not be able to calculate using money, it is recognizable to most. Coins can be stacked by size. They can be counted, and wrapped in coin wrappers.
2 Comments Member Share
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Paint Stick Matching Game
I am posting this because we have tried it and we had a great response. This is a fun craft activity and bingo style game for seniors.
5 Comments Member Share
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Money Counting
This is something that we began doing in our Sundowning evening program for some of the male residents. The possibilities are endless and they really seem to enjoy it.
8 Comments Member Share
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What's In the Bag
Chose a colorful bag, something that catches the eye, silk, or any other fabric that feels good to the touch. You don't want to be able to see through the bag. Find random objects, such as kitchen utensils, keys, padlock. Ideal reminiscing game for seniors.
6 Comments Member Share
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Mulitcultural Songs
Here is a list of songs I have started to compile for the Olympics....feel free to add more for me.
6 Comments Member Share
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Hangman - a whiteboard challenge
Choose a word, phrase, movie title, book title, proverb etc & draw the dashes on the whiteboard that represent each letter of the word/phrase.
7 Comments Member Share
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The Envelope Game
What I personally love about this game, is that everyone knows about money, they love looking at it and counting it.
8 Comments Member Share
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Recycled Paint Swatches Game
Our experience with this is is it is a no fail filler, and they love the colors and their funky names. This is a great game for the elderly in nursing homes.
7 Comments Member Share
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St Patrick's Day Quiz
I printed off green shamrocks from clip art, cut them out doubled, wrote an easy question re Ireland on the inside.
4 Comments Member Share
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St Patrick's Day Jokes & Celebrations
More ideas for celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
1 Comment Member Share
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Autumn fun
Go out in the garden. Talk to the residents about what they can see and hear. Talk about the different colours, sounds and objects in the garden. ..
1 Comment Member Share
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Balloon Tennis
Hi all, after reading your article about noodle soccer I went to the local cheap store and had to improvise as there was no noodles.
5 Comments Member Share
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Noodle Soccer
Indoor soccer with a beach ball and pool noodles!
12 Comments Member Share
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Name Bingo
We played Name Bingo last week & it was very popular.
6 Comments Member Share
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Horse Racing
Horse Racing is a fun activity which touches upon many of the holistic elements of health that we are trying to reach as recreational therapists.
2 Comments Member Share
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Activity Goals Presentation
Power point presentation on activity goals.
1 Comment Member Share
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Ring in the new year
Using a mix of bottles of sparkling grape juice, sparking water or champagne if allowed, set up a game of ring toss and have the residents ring the bottles. Ring it to win it.
1 Comment Member Share
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Coffee Break
I set up our usual venue to look like a cafe or coffee shop with separate tables.
3 Comments Member Share
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Christmas card hangers
Wire coat hanger covered with tinsel, attach pegs with ribbon.
An idea for those residents to hang their cards on.4 Comments Member Share
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Chopsticks
You can buy some chop sticks in a cheap shop and let your residents try to use them to pick up different things.
2 Comments Member Share
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Photo Booth Funnies
We used existing photographs of residents, copying to all the same size.
1 Comment Member Share
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Songs for Seniors Quiz
Here is the over 80s song quiz that was requested.
38 Comments Member Share
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Name a song with a girls name in the lyrics
Name a song with a girls name in the lyrics
1 Comment Member Share
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Mindfulness
I have also introduced an activity called "Mindfulness". It is a tool used by psychologist to help people with anxiety, depression, stress and other such ailments.
5 Comments Member Share
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Mannequin for different occasions
We will put different costumes on each week for fun and different themes.
3 Comments Member Share
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Make, cook and eat
Bomb Alaska. I have made this often, It is easy, quick and so yummy.
4 Comments Member Share
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15 Minutes to Share...
Need a quick fill-in activity? Something for 15 minutes before a meal?
2 Comments Member Share
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Senior School Performance
Invite Senior High School students to practice their musical / theatrical performances for their upcoming final exams in front of your clients.
2 Comments Member Share
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Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Here are two different versions of a similar quiz. ayings that use the words rock and stone are explored. It is to accompany a discussion about the difference about rocks and stones.
3 Comments Member Share
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Orange Sensory Experience
Provide residents with a sensory experience of warm scented washers using essential oil sweet orange.
2 Comments Member Share
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Footy Tipping
Each year I introduce the AFL footy tipping for our seniors and residents in care.
13 Comments Member Share
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Engaging through discussion and music
In the United States, there have been some events and happenings that are etched in people's long term memory.
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Dining Room Cafe
Every two months I transform the dining room into a café with a theme.
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Trivia with Exercise
I explained to the residents that exercise is fun and good for the body and to keep your mind active too.
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Make Your Own Easy Croissants
4 ingredient chocolate croissants: Eggs, Water, Puff Pastry & Chocolate Chips!
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IBingo Free
I thought i would share with you a tool which i have been using for bingo: "IBingo Free". IBingo free is a mobile phone app. that calls bingo.
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Mealtime Placemats
We have created mealtime placemats to assist with mealtimes, highlighting individual client needs.
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Soap Making Recipe
This is a great activity for sitting folks around a table reminiscing, uses all the senses!
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Friendship Wheel
Residents reminisce, enjoy the tactile and sensory colours and friendships promoted while they let their creative side get arty, have fun, and use many skills which they didn't know they had.
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Words starting with Hand
All answers start with the word 'hand'
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Words that start with Pen
Word game fun. "Find the Pen".
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Phrase Finder
Residents are always saying old phrases, so i use a few useful websites for research.
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Scategories
I use this as a large group activity but you can adapt it to small groups.
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Book Trolley
Assist the elderly to maintain their interest in reading. A good opportunity for one-on-one time as you make your way around to all bedrooms. Discuss the book they have or the book they are about to read.
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Who sung this song? Songs from the 1930s
It helps to either know the opening lines of the song, or the tune.
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Scrabble Twist
Our Residents love this game and it can be visually seen by all.
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Wedding Photo Guessing Game
Wedding photo guessing game
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Melbourne Cup Horse
I printed out this picture of a horse and trimmings for colouring in and cutting out, and gave him 2 wooden pegs for legs.
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Australia Day Indoor Beach Volleyball
hose who do not wish to be involved will still have fun watching, hearing and experiencing the teams do their thing!
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First Things First Quiz
First Things First Quiz
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Sunshine and Song
Bring residents in fall-out chairs and wheelchairs out into the garden or courtyard area. Being in the sunshine, with plants to smell and birds to listen to is very beneficial to the senses.
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Jigsaws
Make use of old calenders, pick nice clear pictures, photo copy them first and then laminate.
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Donating for World Kindness Day
As we all know are cupboards are full of unwanted items, clothing, house hold goods, toys, tinned food etc.
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Colours on the field
Instead of fashions on the field for Melb Cup we are having colours on the field.
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Words ending with ship
A friendship spiritual program in the morning and a program on famous ships in the afternoon resulted in this word brainstorming game.
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Talk like a pirate day!
A day filled with laughter and fun! (as well as activities providing mental stimulation, gentle exercise, team work and friendly competition)
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Respect for the Aged Day - Japan
The 3rd Monday in September in Japan is a national holiday for "Respect for the Aged Day".
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Ping Pong Eggs
Lots of fun, good for hand eye co ordination and competition. Residents love this game and they get a nice prize at the end.
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Tin ball
3 large fruit tins screwed onto a piece of wood.
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Toys for Boys
Meccano, model sets, train set, cars, box brownie cameras and photos, cigarette cards/football cards, marbles and stamps. Lots of stories were told about their childhood.
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Ladies afternoon
On Sunday we held a little fashion show using the residents as models.
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Fathers Day Fishing
This activity is based on the old game of fishing using magnets and paper clips.
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Salt Dough Beads
When l did this activity the residents wanted to make beads that would match the clothes they wore.
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Salt Dough Teddy Bear
This activity uses a basic salt dough recipe but you could use modelling clay.
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Basic Salt Dough
This is a simple recipe to make a soft dough for craft uses.
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Tongue Twisters
A friend suggested to me that an old-fashioned pastime called "Tongue Twisters" might be of interest to carers who are looking for a short time activity which would be suited to people of all ages and interests.
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Flower Smelling
I filled a vase with peonies and lavender and took it to as many residents as possible.
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Australian Prime Ministers Quiz
Australian Prime Ministers quiz - great to reminisce & test your knowledge.
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Wish catcher art and craft
This activity stimulated conversation about their hopes and wishes but was also simple enough for other residents to join in by choosing and tying materials to the the ring.
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Film and Song Quiz about the Weather
When will we meet again, though we don’t know where or when?
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Balloons
I created a game where around 8 residents sit in a circle. I throw a balloon in the middle and then we all count how many times we can hit it in the air before it touches the ground.
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Mobile library Trolley
As a way to reach those residents who do not enjoy group activities we have created a mobile library.
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Enjoy meaningful activity ideas that you can use with your clients straight away.
I love Golden Carers it is a fabulous resource. It has made my life so much easier, so that in turn does wonders for my clients. The work that you put in to helping us all is wonderful please don’t give up.
Is it worth the money? You betcha it is. My clients love the quizzes and we have many laughs and it opens up many a thoughtful discussion on life as an older person. I thank you so much when l am stuck for ideas l just jump onto GOLDEN CARERS. Have a great day and keep up the great work.
Lesley Dalitz
Recreation Therapist
