Jean

Doing a sing along gives me an opportunity to settle 10 - 15 residents at a time. Not all will sing, some will just settle and stay seated for the hour, others will sit and tap there toes but each and everyone is engaged to some extent. I also ask them to applaud at the end of each song as I think that it help to maintain concentration/focus and some of the residents who are mid to advanced may not sing but join in with the clapping. I do a sing along in the lounge and when the atmosphere is 'unsettled' it is the perfect solution. It is enjoyed by all, the songbook is theirs

I do a food or drink tasting session in the dinning room. Last week I brought in a variety of savoury biscuits and crackers & some pots of cheese spread. They each had a small plate and knife to spread with, selected their own crackers, spread them and tasted them. We closed the session with a hot drink and one of my residents washed the small plates for me. You can make it more sensory by adding and decorating with fresh herbs, tomato or pickles.

Thanks for your support and idea Susan.

We use PPE but don't have social distancing any more so having to interest the residents in looking at a screen is quite frustrating. We have a lot of dementia too, one of the ladies became quite cross when we had an exercise program, where the instructor was using music to work with and complained that the man should stop talking so she could hear the song she liked. It is not easy when you are in your 80's and have dementia to relate to this technology. They just want us to take their hand and walk to the lounge with them.

I work at a care home that is part of a big group. Since COVID our head office has gone 'mad' buying and subscribing to a great deal of technology that offers activities. I am standing my ground and whilst happy to work with technology and, understand that where there is a shortage of staff, technology does play a role. I'm now under pressure to use the new programs that have been brought in on a 6 month trial period, much of which is unsuitable, so I am compiling lots of feedback and evidence. The residents prefer a real live entertainer and a real live excercise instructor rather than looking at a screen. I'm interested to hear any comments that you may have on this subject.

My residents also enjoyed this activity I only bought 4 flavours but it was a good afternoon

I did Italy in my armchair travel and we decorated with Italian flag bunting as well as the pictures provided by the site (laminated). All cheap and reusable. Served non alcholic wine with lunch and the hit of the day was afternoon tea when we served Panatone.

Try tempting them with food and drink.

I bought a bottle of non alcholic gin, various mixers, sliced orange, lemon & lime for garnishes and asked them to choose which way they wanted it mixed. One lady enjoyed a glass of lemonade, another had water on iced garnished with a slice of orange whilst others had a G & T. We had background music playing, I had a few salty biscuits on the table and even those who were not very pleased with the taste of the drink (eg it's too cold) enjoyed a sociable time.
I will do this each month now while they enjoy it.

If the staff don't read the info you put up don't give up or feel disparaged remember that by putting the info up you are proving that you are in a job that is structured and requires special knowledge and skills. Your job has aims and goals and you are not at work to just 'play'