Colleen

Hi, if travelling to the ocean is not an option for you.....why not bring the ocean to him! Go to the beach - collect some sea water in a container, collect up some sand, collect up some shells,stones, small pieces of driftwood off the beach. These are all sensory for him. At the time of bringing these to him, have some 'ocean' waves sounds playing-either on ipod or cd player as a background theme prop. Pin up 'tropical' beach pictures (from the internet). If you have enough sand - place into a wide flat dish & 'draw pictures or his name..in the sand with small piece of driftwood stick-or even his finger. What about making up a collage picture of a 'life saver-life buoy ring' for his wall..with his name in the centre 'Life Saver Hero.....' Or even his own goldfish in a big plastic bowl for his own room-there is always something so restful and relaxing about watching fish swim. All of the above fill all the sensory requirements.

Hi, I introduced 'DOLLY'S TROLLEY TUESDAYS' in my previous worklplace resthome. Every week i would wheel my loaded trolley to each room/each wing. Residents began to really look forward to this social 1-1 visit....and to see what exciting items i had to offer on the day! I always made sure i was well stocked with reasonably priced under $5 items such as : biscuits, sweet packets, soap bars/flo soap, shampoos& conditioners, hearing aid batteries, combs, custard and fruit pots, toothpaste, tissues, jelly pots, sometimes fruit in season, small diet lemonade bottles etc etc. I did, of course discuss this idea with my Clinical Manager first, and always re=reminded Residents & staff of this opportunity to purchase, at Resident & Staff meetings. Staff were wonderful @ reminding residents when they were getting down on things they knew were required - or just enjoyed as a treat!. Best service ever one resident stated! Well worth trying, and in keeping prices low, these were still affordable purchases for my Residents. I used to just add on a 50c surcharge on each item, so that this xtra money could slowly build up the 'kitty'. Go on - give it a go!

I call my sessions 'Chair Dancing Fun'.....I use a fun zappy short song, and make up a movement routine using either: organza scarves/fans/rolled up/cellotaped womans weeklys/long pieces of thick ribbon. Residents seem to enjoy the chance to use 'props' - it makes it so much more fun and can be quite entertaining once you invite some Staff to come on in & join in to learn the movements!!! You'll all have a ball - believe me!! The idea is to have fun, be silly,...and laugh!!

Housie is one of our Facilities most popular sessions, Residents just love this social get-together time. I try to make prizes interesting for them, we have chocolate bars/fruit & custard pots/singular wrapped cookies/small packaged drinks, & even a 'Lucky Dipper' basket-who knows what might be in that????? We all have such fun together, so why not make the prizes fun too! (All bought inexpensively @ supermarket)

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: 'Diversional Therapy Information Sheet'

I called ours the 'Chip n Dip Club' this year!

Hi, I am looking for Male & Female Residents whom wish to write only. We are a Level 2 care fascility in New Zealand. I still have Residents able to write, & of course, this is a great 1-1 activity for those whom cannot write as well - as I am able to do this for them. I do have interest from both men & women, whom would be very keen to correspond with someone out there in the wide world! How exciting! My email is: [email protected] So luv to hear from you please!! Thanks

I invited my Resident for a short walk outside & around the facility. We would stop & sit for 5 minutes on a lovely sunny day,.I would say to her "My eyes are shut......lets tell each other what we can hear? You will be amazed at what is said! We would then begin to stroll again, I would pick a rose...& ask her."What does this smell like to you? What flower do you think it might be?"'What other smells can you smell" We would pick some flowers...remniise about what she used to grow in her garden-& her vege garden, & upon returning to the fascility, we would arrange our flowers in a vase for her room. Each week, I leave a single flower on her pillow on my last day....she looks forward to it,& can often tell me what flower it was that i left!

Thankyou Talita, will certainly try the facebook group! Cheers

I am a regstd DT, & believe in trying to make my monthly plan as varied as is possible, I take a 'Chair Dancing' session once per month, whereupon I choose a short old-time song (such as 'Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me') & make up a simple hand & leg exercise routine.......using pretty floaty scarves.........or brightly coloured plastic plates. You can 'bang' the plates together - you can 'throw' the scarves up & catch them again..................plus.......everyone can sing along! Can even use 1 plate - & 1 scarf. Be inventive & make it happy & fun!! Getsome Staff to come in also, & teach them your routine.....to perform it along with your Residents & you, as a little mini show. Guarantee your Residents will just Love It!!!