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Free Activity Calendar for Seniors

You can now add Daily Schedules, Icons, and Print at a variety of sizes! This easy to edit activity calendar can be pre-filled with upcoming events and celebration ideas for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. A perfect resource for activity coordinators working with the elderly.

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20 Practical Activities for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease

20 activities for the elderly with dementia. The following ideas may be used on a one-to-one basis and others may be suitable for small groups depending on their abilities. These dementia activities are designed to promote and maintain existing skills.

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The Price is Right Game

This is such a fun game! Residents will love reminiscing about the price of groceries in a social setting.

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Words in Words Game

This game is very popular! It provides mental stimulation, social interaction and promotion of self-worth.

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Things that go Together Quiz

There are two ways to play this game. Great for people living with dementia!

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Reminiscing Activities for Seniors

Reminiscing with the elderly is a wonderful way to validate the lives of individuals and provide seniors with a sense of purpose, especially those living with dementia. Reminiscing activities also encourage social interaction and promote interpersonal skills.

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Bucket of Bean Bags Game

This simple and fun game promotes friendships and physical activity!

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Difficult Behaviour Care Plan 1

Anna is a 79 year old lady living with 2nd stage dementia. She seems to understand what staff say but is very slow to respond. She is restless most of the day, sitting for only minutes at time...

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School Days Reminiscing Cards

This is a wonderful game that can be adapted to any occasion. Residents will enjoy reminiscing and sharing stories.

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Games for People Living with Dementia

Adapting and modifying games for seniors is necessary for all sorts of different reasons. As well as for those living with dementia, games need to be modified for those who use wheelchairs and those with impaired vision or sensory loss.

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Balloon Games

Gentle exercise for the arms as well as an opportunity to socialize! Great for game for the elderly. Also suitable for people living with dementia.

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Musical Bingo

Musical Bingo improves recall and provides opportunities to reminisce. It is also an enjoyable and sociable game. This game was created by a Music Therapist I worked with and it was very popular in our Dementia Care Unit. If you don't have time to put the game together, ask a volunteer to help you. All you need is a computer, a printer and a laminator. This activity includes downloadable song cards and calling cards.

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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.

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Recycled Dream Spring Tree

Celebrate spring at your nursing home by making a gorgeous dream tree composed of spring flowers and blossoms!

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How to write a Care Plan

The documentation process varies from facility to facility but there are usually three important steps to follow.

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6 Whiteboard Games for the Elderly

Whiteboards are an indispensable tool for Activity Coordinators and can be used for group activities, communication and learning!

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Free Music Playlists for the Elderly

Music has been proven to be very beneficial for the elderly in long term care, particularly those living with dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. Here are some wonderful free playlists of famous songs from the 40s, 50s & 60s!

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Finish the Sayings and Proverbs Game

This fun and simple game is great for seniors including people living with dementia. Includes well known sayings, idioms and proverbs that they will remember from their past.

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Spot the Differences Contest

Have some fun having a 'Spot the Differences' contest! This is a great group activity for seniors!

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Care Plan Goals & Interventions

Learn how to respond to the assessment of needs with the following 6 case studies extracted from resident care plans.

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The Importance of Laughter in Long Term Care Facilities

Instilling a culture of humor and laughter into long-term care facilities is good for everyone and may even improve the overall functioning and well-being of your clients. It is important to incorporate funny and amusing activities into your regular program that cater to all tastes.

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Songs for Seniors Quiz

Here is an over 80s song list. It includes lyrics to over 80 popular songs from yesteryear to enjoy in a sing-along. Sing the first line, and then ask residents to sing the next line!

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Dementia Program - Weekly

This sample program is for acute Dementia care. Some people like to do it weekly, others monthly. Download the form and adjust it to suit you.

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Sensory Stimulation for Dementia Care

Sensory stimulation is the activation of one or more of the senses such as taste, smell, sight, hearing, and touch. Sensory stimulation is a key component for improving the quality of life of people living with dementia.

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Indigenous Australian Dot Paintings

Indigenous Australians use plant shoots, Echidna quills and small twigs to paint their Dreamtime stories. Here are 12 Dot Painting Templates to enjoy with the elderly.

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15 uplifting activities for people with limited mobility

Elderly people who are confined to bed for long periods of time because of diagnosis or frailty often experience severe mood swings. They get tired of sitting or lying down, become bored with life and miss social contact with others.

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How to motivate residents in long term care

Encouraging the elderly to participate in scheduled activities can be challenging. Lack of engagement is a common problem. It is important that you identify any barriers - whether perceived or real - that might be preventing residents from getting involved.

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How to start a Leisure & Lifestyle Program for Aged Care

Starting a Leisure and Lifestyle Program for residents in nursing homes and long term care requires creative thinking and enthusiasm. Your main point of reference will be the assessment of your clients.

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Armchair Travel: A Sensory Experience for Seniors

Armchair Travel takes people to faraway places without leaving home. It provides a sensory experience and the opportunity to learn about exotic lands and important past events in a meaningful manner. This is a wonderful activity for seniors living in nursing homes and suitable for people with dementia.

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Christmas Quiz

Here's a fun Christmas quiz for seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

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Read Aloud Activities for the Elderly

For the elderly who loved to read all their lives, listening to someone read to them can bring profound comfort and joy. Why not start a Read-Aloud Readers Group activity at your facility; a Book Club with a difference! Read-aloud activities are an intervention well worth pursuing.

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Tips for One-on-One Visits with Seniors

It is not uncommon for seniors living in assisted-living facilities to lack mental stimulation and social contact. Recreation Therapists often use one-on-one visits to respond to the needs of those who avoid social settings. There are many enjoyable games and activities that can keep minds and bodies strong and active.

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How to Plan Music Activities for Dementia Care

Everyone responds instinctively to music. A person’s ability to engage in music often remains intact far into the advanced stages of dementia. Music triggers certain networks of the brain that benefit people suffering from difficulties with language, cognition, or motor control.

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Bow Ties for Father's Day and Special Events

VIDEO Instructions included! Make bow ties in a craft session and give it to your male residents on Father’s Day to help celebrate this festive occasion.

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15 Activities for Loners and Introverted Seniors

Most long term care facilities have some residents who are ‘loners’ or ‘introverts’; they enjoy being in their bedrooms and do not often pursue interaction with others.

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13 Reminiscing Themes for Seniors

Sharing and recollecting memories with seniors in long term care helps them to affirm who they are and maintain self worth.

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Brain Quiz – Guess the Words

Challenge your brain and guess the words that fit these sentences.

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Table soccer

This is an ideal game for men to form/strengthen friendships whilst having fun.

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Name a Word Quiz #1

Here's a fun word game for Seniors - Name a word starting with the same letter across 10 categories. Answers included!

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Heart of Kindness

This is a group activity suitable for other celebrations as well, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day.

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Festive Wall Art Craft

Lovely wall art for all occasions! Video instructions included.

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Royal Quiz

Test your royal knowledge on the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday!

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Movies of Yesteryear Quiz

Here's a fun movie quiz featuring well known movies and movie stars from the past. A wonderful reminiscing quiz for seniors!

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15 Sensory Activities for Late Stage Alzheimer's

Dealing with the effects of Alzheimer's Disease is a long and challenging process for the everyone involved. It is especially difficult when the late stage of the illness is reached.

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Jokes 2

A woman found her husband in the kitchen stalking around with a fly swatter...

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15 Activities for Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease affects people in different ways. Rather than focusing on the disease and impairment, we should aim to identify each person's strengths and remaining abilities and find activities to support these. Here are 15 Activities For Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease.

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Newsletter Template 1

A newsletter is an asset to your facility and an effective way of letting all concerned know what's going on. Remember that you are writing about the residents and for the residents.

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Lovely Hanging Paper Flowers

Easy paper flowers to decorate your facility on all occasions.

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Scent Guessing

Sensory stimulation with familiar scents. A fun activity for seniors and the elderly living with dementia.

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Activities for Men

Men’s activities are challenging! The best way to find meaningful activities for men is to uncover past lifestyle choices and history - you can gather this information from residents and their families. Here are 8 tips for engaging men in meaningful activities.

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How to host your own Mini Olympics

Plan your own Mini Olympics for the Elderly in Nursing Homes and Long Term Care Facilities.
What a spectacular event and what a great opportunity to make your facility buzz with excitement!

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Melbourne Cup Quiz

Some interesting facts, history and trivia about Melbourne Cup!

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Jokes

Here are some funny, light-hearted jokes to share with your residents.

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Sensory Boxes & Other Ideas to Stimulate the Senses

The sensory functions of elders decline as they grow older and this can impact on their feelings of well-being. Multi-sensory stimulation is becoming increasingly popular in nursing homes based on impressive results. Sensory activities contribute to the emotional and physical health of people living with dementia. Sensory activities can be non-verbal; thereby crossing cultural boundaries.

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Melbourne Cup Horse Race Game

The Horse-Race game is a great way to spend the morning on Melbourne Cup Day!
This is a fun activity for the elderly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

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St Patrick's Day Irish Quiz

St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is famous for?

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Ideas for Men's activities on Fathers Day

Here are some suitable indoor and outdoor activities for Fathers Day.

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The Benefits of Coloring-in for the Elderly

Coloring for seniors is a therapeutic and satisfying activity. Research into the effects of coloring activities for people living with dementia show positive outcomes, most notably a decrease in agitation and anxiety.

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Two Minute Activities for Dementia Care

During your working hours, you will see many clients outside of programmed activities; seize the opportunity and engage with them. It will only take a minute or two and can transform someone's state of mind and lift their spirits more than you can imagine.

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Identifying Needs of Clients entering Long Term Care

Learn how to identify the needs of clients entering nursing homes. This article contains detailed instructions on how to conduct a resident assessment which can then be used to create a care plan.

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Cue Cards for Dementia Care

Cue Cards or Communication Cards are visual tools that can be used to overcome communication difficulties with clients living with dementia. They assist and support caregivers, staff and volunteers to engage with the person in their care.

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Professions that are Vanishing

Amuse residents with this list of professions that are vanishing or no longer exist. Start by saying the profession and waiting to see if anyone can guess what this was for. I'm sure they can think of others to add to the list!

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Old Occupations Quiz

Most of the following occupations no longer exist or are now known by different names. Clients may remember some other obscure occupations to add to this list!

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Paper Planes Reminiscing Game

Ideal for men, this activity will foster friendship and bring much laughter. It would be helpful if you could find a male volunteer to sit with participants and remind them of different ways to make paper airplanes.

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Fun Quiz - Answers contain the word OLD

All the answers in this quiz contain the word OLD!

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Beach Reminiscing

The theme for this reminiscing session is: The Beach.
18 sample questions are provided.

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Sweeps for Melbourne Cup Celebration

Get residents involved in Melbourne Cup celebrations!

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Guessing Game - Who Am I?

This is a wonderful reminiscing activity in a group setting. Guess the names of these famous people from the clues provided.

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Words that start with 'Ap'

All answers start with the words: 'Ap'. A fun April themed quiz for the elderly!

10 ways to increase activity participation

There is hardly anything more rewarding for activity coordinators than an increase in resident participation. Weeks of hard work are paid off!

It is even more gratifying to see a resident who repeatedly declines to join activities walk into the recreation area for a concert, game or to participate in a trivia or discussion group. Here are a few tips that may help improve participation rates at your facility. Some you may be using already, others you may not have tried for a while.

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My Story - Short Biography Template

Here is a sample of a Life Story Template for you to use.
These are only ideas, you may have questions of your own relevant to the person you are talking to.

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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.

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Sing-Along with Picture Cards

Singing is a favourite activity for many people and if movements are added with the hands and arms then singing can also become a gentle exercise actitvity.

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Romantic Couples through the Ages

Make copies of this quiz and hand out to participants. Give each a pencil and ask them to join the sweet-hearts with a line. A fun nostalgia and reminiscing quiz for seniors.

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Remembering the clothesline

You have to be a certain age to appreciate this one.
I can hear my mother now...

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Catch Phrases Quiz

Read the first column and let clients finish the catch phrases. Offer clues if needed, revealing the name of the movie, show or cartoon character. A fun quiz for seniors!

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Mother's Day Quiz

Have fun on Mother's Day with this quiz!

Anzac Day Song Quiz

Complete the title or line of the following songs!

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How to Respond to Challenging Behavior

Challenging behavior is common in people living with dementia and is considered one of the most difficult issues facing staff in residential care and caregivers at home. It is important to try and understand why the person is behaving in a particular way and remember that it is the behavior that is challenging and not the person.

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Golden Oldies Movie Quiz

Here's a golden oldies movie quiz! A wonderful opportunity to reminisce with seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

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Old Wives Tales - True or False?

Old wives tales are widely held traditional beliefs that are now thought to be unscientific or incorrect. Nevertheless, many old wives tales have been scientifically proven to be true! Can you guess which ones?

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Brain Teaser

Rearrange the letters in these words to find words that fit the clues.

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How to Conduct an Activities Survey

A Guide for Activity Coordinators working in Senior Care. Ask your clients for feedback regarding your Program and how to improve it. Survey template included.

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One-on-One Visits

One-on-One forms are useful for recording individual visits. Individual visits are interventions used to support residents who are ill, unable to attend programmed recreation or simply refuse to leave their rooms.

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This Day in History for Seniors: January

A reminiscing magazine for every day in January! Enjoy a full page of information about every day of the year, including important historical events, short bios, jokes, quotes, and fun brain teasers.

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Themed Sing-along - Songs starting with: I'm

This activity is suitable for almost anybody and is lots of fun!

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Creative Thinking Exercises

Creativity is a skill to be developed and cherished. There are endless ways to train and exercise the brain. The following exercises are good practice for creative thinking. Gather a group of clients and find some creative techniques to solve the following puzzles.

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ANZAC Day Service

Observe cultural festivities. Promote sense of purpose. Download full program!

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Ideas for Celebrating St Patrick’s Day!

10+ ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

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Beauty Therapy

Provide sensory stimulation and enjoyment, ideal activity for Mother's Day

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How to make horses for the ‘Race Horse’ game:

Make your own game for Melbourne Cup Celebrations!

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This Day in History for Seniors: February

A reminiscing magazine for every day in February! Filled with interesting facts, trivia, hit singles and famous movies from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

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Spring Flowers & Butterflies

To promote friendship. Maintain skills.

Activity Evaluation Form

Here is an activity evaluation form that I used in the past. Each facility will have their own version. It is called a Monthly Program Evaluation and it consists of one sheet for each week of the month;

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Australian Slang Quiz

What do the following expressions or phrases mean to you?

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Sun-catcher Hearts

Hang hearts from ceiling with strings or attach to walls and glass windows with blue tack. If you want to make garlands use the small heart template.

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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!

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This Day In History For Seniors: August

A reminiscing magazine for every day in August! Enjoy the next edition of the popular 'This Day in History' series with historical trivia, jokes, quotes and biographies!

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10 Activities for Halloween

Halloween is a wonderful excuse for a theme day! Decorate your facility inside and out with black cats, carved pumpkins, spiders on walls, ghosts hanging from the ceiling, and other spooky decorations.

10 Spiritual Activities for people with Alzheimer's Disease

Spiritual support for people with dementia in nursing homes and other care facilities is vital to their well-being and a requisite for the holistic care we strive to achieve

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Name the Love Songs Quiz

Reminisce with these 1950s and 1960s popular love songs. If melodies are unknown to the group leader, listen to the songs on the youtube links provided.

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Remembrance Day Celebration

Observe cultural festivities. Promote sense of purpose. Download full program!

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Snoezelen Rooms and Sensory Environments for Dementia Care

People living with dementia can benefit greatly from exposure to soothing and sensory environments.

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Spring Party

Celebrate spring with an annual spring party, filled with fun games and activities.

True or False Word Game

Read the sentences and decide if they are true or false. This activity is suitable for people with aphasia or dementia.

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I Went to Market Game

This is a memory game that requires players to memorise a list of words. It can be played by two people or a group of people.

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Fads of the 1940s and 1950s

The 1940s and 1950s were decades of profound and lasting cultural change. There was plenty of trauma and upheaval but in this this article we concentrate on what was good and fun!

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Sundowning: Symptoms, triggers & strategies

The term ‘sundowning’ or ‘sundown syndrome’ refers to an end-of-day confusion and restlessness that manifests as dusk approaches. This syndrome affects people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.

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Quiz: A Question of Romance

Here's a 20 question quiz about al things romantic! A fun group quiz for seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

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This Day in History for Seniors: April

A reminiscing magazine for every day in April! Enjoy the next edition of the popular 'This Day in History' series with historical trivia, jokes, quotes and biographies!

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Word Games

Word games are lots of fun and can be played at any time without much fuss!
Thanks Heather for this activity!

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Easter Quiz - Religious

Here is a quiz about the origins of Easter celebrations!

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Comfort Activities for Dementia Care

Promote cognitive well being, provide fun and enjoyment, and establish old roles.

Montessori-Based Activities

Finding activities that people living with dementia are able to participate in and enjoy can be challenging. The Montessori for dementia approach seeks to engage the senses and evoke positive emotions. It involves stimulation of the cognitive, social, and functional skills of each individual.

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Ivy Wreaths for Remembrance/Anzac Day

Enhance self esteem. Have fun with arts and crafts!

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Match Songs with Movies

Match these well known songs to the films they were featured in. A fun reminiscing activity for seniors who will remember many of these much loved movies.

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Daily Attendance Forms

Most residential facilities have their own attendance form however for those of you looking for something different, or if you find the template you are currently using is inadequate, here is a sample and template attendance form.

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How to Run Group Exercise Sessions for the Elderly

We all know that exercise is good for us but for some reason, the older we get, the less we do. Contrary to popular belief, poor balance and muscle weakness has a lot more to do with inactivity than age.

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Guess the Profession Quiz

Have fun guessing different professions

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Fun Riddle 1

One by one we fall from heaven,
down into the depths of past
And our world is ever upturned...

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