LINDA

When my residents are painting, I use a sturdy pizza box that when opened, allows the canvas to prop against it becoming a table-top easel. When they are finished (or not quite finished) but finished for the day, all of their painting supplies and the canvas go back into the pizza box for storage to be pulled out for later use.

I actually organize a bocce ball game outside every Friday from June - September for my residents. They are able to play even in wheelchairs and walkers and love the idea of being older "athletes." I score the first and second place winners as well as who "kissed" the jack (white ball) and have an awards banquet at the end of the season. It gets them outside in fresh air, and even brings people out to just "watch." Everyone receives an award--like: The ball thrown the furthest out of bounds, most courageous athlete (regularly attends in spite of pains), most colorful, best friend award (the person who seems to always knock someone else into first place instead of themselves.) etc. It takes a clipboard and special attention to details as they play, but is great fun!

I just bought old fashioned carbon paper and traced the outline lightly onto the canvas for each resident before they arrived. I used 10" thin
canvas boards and used a new 10x10 pizza box as their easel and storage of their supplies. It also allowed the painting to dry inside for pick up a few days later.

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: Optical Illusion Fun

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: Logo Trivia

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: Fast Food Trivia Quiz (take 2)

Oh dear, I uploaded the draft file instead of the final.

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: Fast Food Trivia Quiz

There is nothing more meaningful to seniors who once were powerful and important than to get that feeling back by offering their help to others. We reached out to a local thrift shop/disaster relief center. They bring us all of the dolls that are donated and we wash them (in the washing machine with softener -- a must) and then spend time combing their hair and beautifying them, dressing them and bagging them for resale or for giving to little ones experiencing crisis. We do this once a month. I also have an "educational" seminar once a month where I've found documentaries (IMAX is good) or brought in hobbiests who talk about their passion. Car enthusiasts are fun because we can walk outside for show and tell later. Doll club members (UFDC) belong to this club because it is a research/education club--they are great to have visit because they also bring objects to show. We also took a walk around our property with a volunteer gardener from a local nursery, he identified the trees, we took pictures and then looked on line to find out more about the trees (together with computer hooked up to tv) and learned quite a bit. Did you know the ornamental pear wood is used to make clarinets?