I would just like to say how rewarding creating our tree has been, and seeing the finished product has some of the patients here on the STRAS unit very excited. Thankyou so much. I t helps brighten up our space...
The wall large enough for our spring tree was brick/concrete. So our tree kept falling :(. Today the spring tree was transformed into a Spring Wreath. It's right by the elevators where residents and guests can see it frequently. Turned out beautifully!
Thank you, we made this for international flower day. It looks fantastic up on our wall. I wish i could add a photo of it for you. The residents loved making it too.
Once again thank you so much to allowing us to share all the wonderful ideas that are on golden carers, it is so helpful and inspiring and they give our residents so much fun and the feeling of achievement once we have completed them and it is great that we can spread the days out and do a lot over time rather than in one session. THANK YOU ALL
I used this project today with clients who have late stage dementia and it was wonderful. Their response to seeing their work mounted together was heartwarming. This was the catalyst to me subscribing to the Golden Carers site.
Hi Over the past few weeks the dementia clients of our day centre have enjoyed painting flowers, scrunching crepe paper onto the flowers, cutting the flowers and sticking them on the tree trunk. I LOVE the end result. This website is so helpful when doing the 8 weekly planning
Our residents had a wonderful time making the flowers for our spring tree. I used the trunk templates but we made tissue paper flowers and it turned out beautiful. Thanks so much for the idea!
Our residents loved creating this tree and are very proud of it as it has created colour and atmosphere in an otherwise bare area. We have plans to add more to it and incorporate easter into it. A wonderful idea for residents of all capabilities. We had some that could only cut out, others who enjoying colouring using pencils and one lady who has been a beautiful artist created hers in pastel and another who looked for colourful pages in a magazine. Thank you you so much for sharing this lovely idea.
Hi, I have done this tree as an Australian Day project. The clients from all parts of the aged care facility enjoyed doing it. Some of the residents had great fun thinking outside of the box and did different color animals. We had rainbow gecko, blue spiders, these are just a few. The resident had a great time working together with the dementia residents. When the tree was finished i then made an elephant the same color as the tree and asked the residents to find the animal that was not Australian. The residents had great fun looking for the elephant, it did take some time for some residents to find it but when they did they were so happy with themselves. thanks for the idea
Thank you for the wonderful idea for our Spring display! The residents' really enjoyed making the flowers from old magazines for our tree during our weekly Art group. We glued some Kanuka bark (which handily pulls off the tree in strips) onto our Spring Tree. Residents' love the natural look and texture of their tree - it brings a bit of the natural world into our Hospital lounge. Warm Spring wishes, Paula Holden (Recreation Therapist, Green Gables, Nelson, N.Z).
Dear Golden Carers, i have recently joined your webpage just thought i would share a photo of the dream tree that our residents have really enjoyed making. we would like to say thankyou for your lovely idea which will now hang proudly in our facility. we look forward to trying some more of your excellent ideas thanking your Roslyn Trangie MPHS Diversional Therapist
Hi Teresa, regarding the Spring Tree you could try making the trunk longer. or trimming the flowers' templates a little. I hope your clients have fun doing it. Best wishes.
Hi I am new to this site and I am enjoying it. Another idea would be to use buttons as flowers. I put small buttons on top of bigger ones so they look pretty. Just glue anywhere on the branches. It looks wonderful. Trish from Coffs Harbour. I am a Care Worker.
Spring has Sprung at Kolora. Residents and staff were enthusiastic in creating a “Spring Tree†collage, to remind us the warmer weather is on it’s way. The decorative collage also enabled residents to discuss topics such as spring, flowers and swinging from a tree on a home made swing.
We have made a tree with all the residents faces in all the flowers. We made it nice and bright and placed it in the main dining room for everyone to see. The residents love it and their families do too. Staff are very impressed and asked if I could make another one for the staff.
Katie McElroy
13th Feb 2014
I did this tree once in complex care but used an outline of every resident's hand, volunteers helped. We put their name on it. Some would decorate their hand with colored nails for nail polish or rings like they wear....or bracelets. It was Hand Tree using all the Seniors. If you have the time you could even put a small round cut out of their picture in the palm perhaps?
This Spring tree has taken on a life of its own in our facility. Since first doing it last year we now keep the trunk of the tree and change the leaves according to the seasons. Spring is now here so winter leaves (which we collected from around trees outside) are now removed waiting for new growth. Such a lovely idea which our residents really love to look at.
This was a huge success in our facility in Qld. I loved to offer this because everyone could contribute, regardless of their abilities. Everyone is commenting how bright and beautiful it has made their home. Thankyou.
We at Bupa South Hobart have made your Spring Dream Tree. We wrote each residents name on the flowers. We put the tree on display in our lift and invited residents to find their flower and then make a wish. A lovely display for all to admire. Thankyou Jane
What a wonderful time the residents had colouring in the Autumn trees , leaves, flowers, lizards and snakes. The dining room looks bright and fun filled and best of all the residents absolutely love their art work display.
Tracy
31st Oct 2012
We did this project with a group of pre-school children who visit us regularly. It was fantastic, although some of the flowers took on a shape all of their own :) .The end result was great but the interaction during the activity is just wonderful to see.
I made a version of the Recycled Dream Spring Tree, in my dementia unit using all recycled resources. It looks so pretty I placed it in the dining room & everyone comments on how lovely it is. Thank u fpr your fabulous site, full of wonderful ideas!
Melissa
24th Jun 2012
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hello, I have just completed a simular project with my residents but with falling leaves, so pleased with my residents effort and its now hanging proud on the wall. Now seeing this tree cant wait for spring to complete this activity! Thanks for the idea.
Hi We did two spring trees and we cut out butterfly between them it was a great success (Illawong NSW) thank you plan to do another one next spring. Didn't take it down untill end of summer.
Just as expected, this was a huge success when we made our Spring Tree. Our residents (Toowoomba Qld)enjoyed making the flowers using many different mediums and when put together on the wall, the effect was amazing. Thankyou Linda!
Hi I am a activities co ordinator in a home in NZ. The residents and I made a springtime tree. It looks really great up on the wall in our facility. Thanks for the inspiration Linda
My residents have just completed their "Dream Tree" incorporating an Easter theme with the Easter Bunny by a white picket fence with his basket of eggs. It looks great and they are very proud of what they have achieved. Michelle
Hi,I am from Australia, I am an assistant nurse, I have worked in an aged care facility for many years, I work as a diversional therapist one day a week, I think your site is fantastic,Thank you, Juleen
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I cant rate this site high enough. The activities and ideas are fantastic, varied and very relevant to our service. I log on every morning to see what's new and I'm always printing and using your materials. Honestly the best site I know of to provide activities for older people.
The tree looks great
Thanks for sharing it