Sandra, you are welcome to email me also and I'll send my calendars. I have independent, assisted and memory care and am in the states... [email protected]
Maybe a single discussion question on a card or a getting to know you question they could ask the others at the table. There are a group of cards called "table talk" that have simple questions but ones that generate more than yes or no answers. Even the today in history papers that you can print from this website.
I don't know where your located but I've never heard of how often you do bingo or if you give prizes as being illegal. I know that in assisted living or skilled nursing it would be frowned upon if that was all you did but with a full calendar and options for others bingo can be done as often as the residents want. We currently play it 7 days a week (Yep that makes me cringe too). We also have alternate activities going on for those that don't want to play. We play for nickels which we end up providing to half the group but they enjoy the competition of the game and winning 'nickels'. Over the years we've played for chocolate or I would just pay out and they wouldn't put anything in. Some places get persnickety about the use of money and say that its gambling. I think people get too worked up over a silly game of bingo.
Thank you so much for such an awesome resource and to everyone for sharing their ideas. It takes the pressure off and allows more time to be spent with the ones we are caring for who after all need our time more than anything else. I am looking forward to reading as much as I can get my hands on and finding ways to improve the lives of our valuable community members and bring some sunshine in. Much appreciated :)
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https://medium.com/@christinaling/how-conversation-dinners-revolutionize-the-ways-we-think-and-communicate-10f15909fa3a