One-on-One

Portable Activity Ideas to Reach Every Resident, Everyday

Not every resident attends group activities, and it can be a serious struggle to find ways to get them engaged with recreation. Intentionally curated carts and baskets can increase your reach and keep your residents happily active.

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16 Ways to Promote Social Inclusion in Senior Care

Seniors who live in assisted living communities can struggle to feel connected and make friends. Activity Professionals play an important role in keeping residents socially connected by encouraging participation in creative ways.

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The Power of Touch in Senior Care

Touch is important for everyone; it is an essential part of our well-being. For the elderly, the healing power of human touch cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately, many seniors do not experience the simple act of touch on a daily basis.

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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 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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Scent Guessing

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

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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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Recycled Magazine Scrapbooks

Beautiful scrapbooks made from recycled magazines. Make them to suit the interests of individuals. A wonderful activity for seniors living with dementia.

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Footbaths

Sensory stimulation. Reduce stiffness. A good alternative if your client cannot use the bath.

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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.

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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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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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Weather Station Activities for Seniors

Maintaining a weather station is an absorbing activity suitable for any time of the year. Men in particular will love this activity!

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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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Moo Mobile

Once a fortnight as a change from icecream trolley, we have a milkshake trolley known as the 'Moo Mobile'

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Treat Trolley

Our rec staff have a lolly/treat trolley (a bit like a pink lady trolley in the hospitals).

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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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Multicultural Radio Guide

For facilities that have people from a cultural and linguistic diverse background (CALD) it is a good idea to make a 'Radio Guide' with musical and talk-shows programs to suit each individual.

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Handbag Clean-Up

Each resident will bring her own handbag to be cleaned-up. The idea is to have them engaging in cleaning up and talking about the contents of their handbags.

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Mobile Activities

We introduced mobile activities for those residents who choose to stay in their rooms or choose to not attend activities.

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Handbag Sorting (Toolbox for men)

Improve dexterity (grasping objects) and practice decision-making.

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Comfort Activities for Dementia Care

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

Beauty Therapy

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

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Hand Massage & Nail Care

Make clients feel special and keep hands and nails clean.

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Vaporisation

Calm the mind and cleanse the spirit with essential oils. A lovely activity for seniors.

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Baths or Spa Baths

Time out to relax and quiet the mind. A simple and effective way to use essential oils.

Storytelling

This is a wonderful one-on-one activity for the elderly, including those living with dementia. It promotes memory recall and reinforces self-worth by validating their past lives.

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Daily Living Activities

Engagement of residents in tasks they used to do in their own home. A very calming activity. Ideal for people living with dementia.

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