If you go to the Pininterest sight, you can download for free many activities including Mad Libs, Word searches, word scramble and even a board game “ Race to the White House”. There are also 2 different election Bingo games available. Hope this helps.
Elaine
9th Oct 2020
Activities Director/ Speech Path
Yes, I have played in large group of ten without a play sheet due to CoVID. I give each resident 5 cards which they display on a chair in front of them as a table surface. I show a large card & also announce it, if they have the card, they raise it or say “ I have it!”. First to get rid of all 5 cards is the winner. I am finding chap stick & small hand cream well received prizes.
For July 4th, I bought battery operated lights that look like capsules and are put into the balloons before blowing them up. ( Party City) Then after dinner and a parade around the facility with patriotic music from my I- pad, we made our own fireworks. We placed the balloons on a large parachute and then turned out the lights in our immediate area. The red balloons with Flying up into the air with the lights looked almost like fireworks. Next time, I would buy the balloons earlier so blue ones would have been included.
Elaine
25th Aug 2020
Activities Director/ Speech Path
We have one resident who only comes out of his room for meals and then requests a table only for himself. Recently, I received in a mail a 2021 calendar from Veterans Affair of various wartime ships. Recalling he was in the navy, next mealtime I asked him if I could join him for a few minutes. Then I brought out the calendar. We had about a 15 minute conversation about his ship and one months picture was similar to the one he served on. He pointed to the areas of the ship where he would do the welding. I have also been using the new year calendars I receive in the mail as prizes for some games. The residents love them for the pictures.
Elaine
24th Aug 2020
Activities Director/ Speech Path
We have one resident who only comes out of his room for meals and then requests a table only for himself. Recently, I received in a mail a 2021 calendar from Veterans Affair of various wartime ships. Recalling he was in the navy, next mealtime I asked him if I could join him for a few minutes. Then I brought out the calendar. We had about a 15 minute conversation about his ship and one months picture was similar to the one he served on. He pointed to the areas of the ship where he would do the welding. I have also been using the new year calendars I receive in the mail as prizes for some games. The residents love them for the pictures.
Elaine
6th Aug 2020
Activities Director/ Speech Path
Just did hangman with the residents this weekend which was a big hit. We played several times on a wipe off poster. Clues were given about category, ( people, place, thing) and sometimes clues about letters ( ex: a letter made with the lips) . Definitely worked well after dinner in the group lounge as people could join anytime after finishing dinner. As the game progressed, residents would whisper new word to me and even a few aides became involved guessing. When one of them won, I had them choose the next word and facilitate the guessing which became an added bonus getting another staff member involved in Rec activity!!
I just love love love this site - each time I'm glued to the many and awesome ideas to engage with our seniors. I recently downloaded some of the crossword puzzles and these seniors are fabulous to work with. That is just the tip of the iceberg. In this new chapter of my life, as semi-retired, I am so enjoying my time with seniors and watching them light up; I feel I've found a new niche. It's extremely gratifying. As to the cost of membership, it came out of my pocket - I rationalised that it was only about $3/month, less than many magazines. So keep up the GREAT work!!! Thanks again Golden Carers!!!!!
Forum
Word searches, word scramble and even a board game “ Race to the White House”. There are also 2 different election Bingo games available. Hope this helps.