What's New

13 Ways to Incorporate Math Into Your Activity Calendar

Math might not be everyone's favorite subject, but its foundations are in daily tasks like grocery shopping or in more complex tasks like construction. Using these daily and familiar operations, you can give the seniors you serve the chance to use their brain in a different way.

4 Comments New Member Activity

Fill-in the Blanks - Famous Tennis Players

Fill-in the blanks for these famous former No. 1 tennis players!

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September Birthdays

Every week I put together a Powerpoint of birthdays. These September birthdays are this week (week beg 16 Sept).  I give them clues and the initials and before reveal the famous birthday, let them guess!

1 Comment New Member Activity

Wheel of Fortune or Hangman with Dice

To make word guessing easier for dementia residents, I assign a number to each blank letter in the answer using numbers 1-6. The player rolls a die and I fill in all the blanks with that number.

2 Comments New Member Activity

NRL Teams in Australia

Fill in the blanks for these Australian NRL clubs!

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Loneliness and Isolation in Nursing Homes

If a resident prefers to be alone, are they lonely? It can make us feel nervous when we don’t see residents at group activities. However, not all residents appear to want to create a social connection.

1 Comment New Member Activity

This Day in History for Seniors: October

A reminiscing magazine for every day in October! Enjoy the next edition of the popular 'This Day in History' series with historical trivia, jokes, quotes and biographies!

4 Comments

Kokedamas

This activity is great for people to do a hands-on garden project that does not take a lot of time.

4 Comments Member Activity

Alice in Wonderland Christmas Pantomime

The 2019 Pantomime - number 7 in the series - is now available! We hop you enjoy Alice in Wonderland - a Christmas pantomime written in rhyme!

American Football Word Games

Gather residents to try their hand at a few word games with a football spin, designed to get their brains working. These are great to do all together or to use one or two before other activities begin.

3 Comments

Pumpkin Decorating Without Carving

‘Tis the season for pumpkins and gourds galore. Brighten up your community, and enjoy some creative time with residents, by hosting multiple pumpkin decorating workshops.

1 Comment

Mad Science Activities

Host a Mad Science Laboratory event at your community, inviting residents to take a front-row seat in your science class.

1 Comment

American Football or Soccer?

Did you know most areas across the globe use the word “football” to describe what Americans call “soccer”? Decide if these words and phrases are used in football or in soccer... or both!

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American Football Teams - Fill in the Blanks

Test your team knowledge by filling-in the blanks of popular teams!

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Line Drawing for Seniors

This activity can enhance participants observation skills, and strengthen hand-eye coordination. Pablo Picasso was considered a master at this medium among others.  His animal line drawings are breathtaking in their simplicity.

1 Comment

My Favorite Teacher Reminiscing

Childhood reminiscing provides validation and assurance for people living with dementia. Most people had a favourite teacher growing up and most would not have had the chance to say thank you to them.

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Christopher Columbus Trivia

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator, who completed four voyages across the Atlantic ocean.  He was the first European to discover a viable sailing route to the Americas, a continent that was unknown at that time.

1 Comment

Who's Who in the Photo

I wanted to share an activity that I did this morning with my dementia residents. I developed about 60 pictures that I have taken over the last 2 months. We all sat in a circle and I handed them a photo and they tried to recognize themselves or a person in the group. 

4 Comments Member Activity

Baking Bingo

Baking themed picture bingo game. When a resident calls bingo I ask them what their favorite thing to bake is (or favorite baked treat to eat) before I give them a prize.  Great way to reminisce while playing a game. Enjoy!

4 Comments Member Activity

Bird Bingo

Bird themed picture bingo game.  We have a bird-watching club and I thought this was a good addition to incorporate into our bird-related activities.  When a resident calls "bingo!" I ask them to read the birds that make up their bingo out loud, then ask what bird is their favorite before giving out their prize. Enjoy!

2 Comments Member Activity

Dog Bingo

Dog themed picture bingo game.  Great for the residents that are dog lovers! I like to plan it when I know we have therapy dogs visiting as our next activity.  So when we finish and real dogs show up, they love it! Enjoy!

2 Comments Member Activity

American Candy Word Finder

A candy-themed Word Finder for Halloween!

Marble Sun Catchers

Beautiful sun catchers made with marbles! Mine has been hanging in the Georgia sun for over a year and the glue has not melted.

2 Comments Member Activity

More September Poems

Three September themed poemsm to share!

What Am I Quiz #4

A fun quiz for seniors that leads to discussion and reminiscing! What Am I?
After each riddle ask: What am I?

2 Comments

My Life Timeline

This activity is excellent for reminiscing and it is suitable for residents with Dementia and Alzheimer's where the long term memory is preserved. It is most suitable for one-to-one sessions but it can be done as a group activity as well if the residents can fill the document by themselves or if you have support from volunteers.

2 Comments Member Activity

Solve the Riddles #3

Put your brainpower to work and solve these mind-bending riddles!

1 Comment

Words Starting With OC

All answers start with the letters: 'OC'. A fun October quiz for the elderly!

1 Comment

The Seven Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

Understanding the disease progression helps us recognize changes in behavior and provide the right support. Symptoms will gradually worsen over time, however there are ways we can make life better at every stage.

6 Comments Member Activity

Winter Time Guided Meditation

Allow yourself to feel as comfortable as possible for a really wonderful relaxation is about to begin. Relaxing is our intent today.  Just a small time relaxing can be very beneficial.  This is the time you gift yourself for just caring about your inner wellness which glows from within.

1 Comment Member Activity

3 Minute fudge

Residents love to reminisce about their days baking for their families and I've found a lot used to make fudge and love this simple recipe! They request we make it every couple weeks.

5 Comments Member Activity

Dear Teacher Poem

Two beautiful poems for school days reminiscing. One from the point of view of a parent sending her son off to school for the first time; the other from the point of view of his teacher.

Member Activity

How to Provide Spiritual Care for the Elderly

Very few care homes have chaplains or pastoral carers. This means that Activity Coordinators are often left to handle spiritual issues. With an open and caring heart, you can do it.

5 Comments Member Activity

Bean Auction

Each resident gets a bag of 40 beans to bid on the items they want. The items up for bid can come from the dollar store, or staff can donate items. Our residents love this activity!

7 Comments Member Activity

This Day in History for Seniors: September

A reminiscing magazine for every day in September! Enjoy the next edition of the popular 'This Day in History' series with historical trivia, jokes, quotes and biographies!

10 Comments

How to Get Reluctant Residents to Attend Activities

We work hard at planning activities we know residents will enjoy. There is usually a core group of residents who attend and engage in these activities, but there are some who regularly decline invitations. Once they get to an activity, they enjoy themselves, yet they remain reluctant. Here are some simple techniques to improve reluctant resident engagement over time.

2 Comments Member Activity

Poetry Prompts for Gratitude

World Gratitude Day arrives on September 21, but you never need a specific day to count your blessings. Group and individual poetry prompts are wonderful ways to be creative in a new way, along with giving residents the chance to work a new part of their brain.

2 Comments

Rosh Hashanah Sensory Kits

Honor residents of Jewish background and faith by putting together a sensory kit based on Rosh Hashanah traditions.

2 Comments

An Orchard of Trivia

September is a big month for farmers in America and Canada, as they are harvesting the crops they have worked so hard to grow since the spring season. Here are some fun facts about the harvest season.

7 Comments

Comic Book Characters Word Search

A fun word search with featuring famous comic book characters!

Confucius Motivational Quotes II

Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.

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Confucius Short Biography

Confucius was an influential Chinese philosopher, teacher and political figure. He became widely known for his teachings concerning the principles of good conduct, practical wisdom, and proper social relationships.

Comic Book Reminiscing

Comic Books - what a great subject for reminiscing!  Whether you grew up glued to the pages of your favourite comic book, or you have never experienced them, you are bound to  discover some exciting storytelling!

Superheroes Quiz

How well do you know your superheroes?!

Paper Moon Rockets Game

We have celebrated this wonderful event by making paper darts or planes to represent moon rockets as attached and launching each residents’ dart in turn at a symbol on the floor, a few feet away, to represent the moon.

2 Comments Member Activity

Late Blooming Artists

Life has so many ups and downs that sometimes you think there is no time for the semi-forgotten dreams we have.  Here are some people who made a late start or remained active throughout their later years. Ask residents to add other late starters to this list.

Words ending with ISH Quiz

The answers to this quiz end with the letters: ISH!

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Guess My Career

I've provided a list of (basic) careers. Without saying the career, describe the role to residents and have them guess who you are!

2 Comments Member Activity

The Importance of Political Correctness in Senior Care

Our word choices when providing care is extremely important. Becoming more mindful of how we phrase and even reference caregiving acts is an essential change in the culture of care homes. 

2 Comments Member Activity

American Summer Quiz

All About Summer in America Quiz!

2 Comments Member Activity

5 Things We Can Learn From Dementia Villages

For those caring for seniors with dementia, successful interventions are centered on reminiscence and the person. What happens when we give the person the chance to explore an environment that feels familiar to them? Dementia villages are aiming to do just that.

Member Activity

Minute to Win it

Every year we have members of a local grade 6 class come and participate in activities with our seniors at our day program. We decided to do an interactive minute to win it games with the kids and the clients. This program was a hit!!

Member Activity

Have You Ever Game

A great game to get to know you residents, and see what you have in common! Similar to penny ante... see what other questions you can come up with!

11 Comments Member Activity

Remembering Shirley Temple

The residents loved the remembering Judy Garland powerpoint presentation and asked if there was one on Shirley Temple.  I made one and thought I would submit it as these create great discussion and reminiscing.

5 Comments Member Activity

Attire of the World

In which country would you see people wearing these? Sari, Moccasins, Poncho and more... Full page images provided!

7 Comments

Are You Using Your Local Library Enough?

Your local library is a haven for free activity supplies, easy activity ideas, 1:1 interventions, and endless inspiration for your busy community. Learn how to utilize this community resource even more than you already are.

8 Comments Member Activity

Numbers, Numbers and More Numbers

A fun numbers quiz for seniors! I have always had great success with numbers in my experiences.

3 Comments Member Activity

The Envelope Game

What I personally love about this game, is that everyone knows about money, they love looking at it and counting it!

11 Comments Member Activity

Guessing Game - Who Am I?

This is a wonderful reminiscing activity in a group setting. Guess the names of these famous people from the clues provided.

4 Comments

Reading Books Made from Newspaper Clippings

Choose positive, pleasant, interesting articles. Residents that have dementia or limited reading skills will enjoy reading them.

4 Comments Member Activity

Group Singing with Props

This is a wonderful multi-sensory activity for residents living with dementia.

16 Comments

Words starting with AU Quiz

The answers to this quiz all start with the letters: AU!

1 Comment

Funny Short Stories #4

Some more funny short stories the share: The Envelope, The Doctor and The Restaurant

Baby Boomers Music Quiz 4

The next in the baby boomer's music quiz series!

3 Comments

This Day In History For Seniors: August

A reminiscing magazine for every day in August! Enjoy the next edition of the popular 'This Day in History' series with historical trivia, jokes, quotes and biographies!

11 Comments

Nursery Rhymes - Sing the Next Line

Most residents living with dementia will remember childhood rhymes. Sing these nursery rhymes together!

Famous Cat Lovers

Here is some fun trivia about some very famous cat people!

Pumpking Seed Guessing Game

This is a fun agricultural / harvest themed activity for residents!

Cat Breeds Word Search

A cat themed word search!

Amazing Cat Trivia

They are smart, sassy and snobs! They are often indifferent to what goes on around them so long as food and water are plentiful. But we love them all the same!

Corn Husking Relay

This activity will generate lots of giggles!

9 Principles of the Montessori Approach for Dementia Care

People living with dementia deserve to live to their full potential, with meaningful activities and the right support to achieve maximum engagement in social and leisure pursuits.

Vanishing Culture - The Kingdom of Mustang

Hidden by the Himalayas in one of the most remote corners of the world lies Mustang, an ancient forbidden kingdom. This pure and ancient culture, considered the best preserved medieval city in the world, is facing a cultural overhaul that could see the loss of ancestral skills and crafts as well as their language.

Funny Short Stories #3

Here are three funny short stories to share: The Farmer, Married Four Times, The Frog

7 Comments

Build a Word Tree - Word Association

This is an Activity that has been very popular with all my Clients. It is a simple but very effective Word Association game, I call, Build a Word Tree!

6 Comments Member Activity

Seaside photography

We took a small group of residents living with Dementia to the seaside and gave them disposable cameras and asked them to take pictures of things that make the seaside special. We got them developed and we often look at them and discuss the day out. 

1 Comment Member Activity

Limericks

I have recently joined Golden Carers and wanted to start by giving something back. Here are some limericks that I wrote this morning, I hope that they might be of use to some. Thank you for all your great ideas and inspiration.

1 Comment Member Activity

D Day Invasion Quiz

To commemorate the anniversary of the historic attack on German-occupied Europe.

1 Comment Member Activity

Target Letter Game 1

How many words can you make with the letters in the square?

8 Comments

Funny Short Stories #2

Here are three funny short stories to share: The Policeman, The Poacher and Senior Special!

2 Comments

Word Ladder #12

Number 12 in our word ladder series! A fun and stimulating brain activity for the elderly.

Rhyming Riddles #15

All the answers to this quiz rhyme with the word PHONE

1 Comment

Fun and Lively Math Group Games for the Elderly

Each group of residents is different in their abilities, likes, and dislikes. The trick is to offer math activities that are fun, stimulating, and failure-free. Here are two fabulous group math activities that are easily adapted!

Member Activity

Remembering Judy Garland

I have put together a Powerpoint of slides about Judy Garland which I am going to show my group next week.  It has a bit about her life, some interesting facts and one of her quotes.

3 Comments Member Activity

Tips for Working With a Challenging Supervisor

We have all encountered a challenging supervisor at least once in our careers. Whether you feel your supervisor is mean, unrealistic, or demanding, going into work can start to feel like a major chore. Learn how to work together by following a few of our tips, and make going to work fun (or at least tolerable) again.

1 Comment Member Activity

Mosaic coloring activities-Fox

The next installment in our mosaic coloring activities - a sly fox!

Split Words - Friendship

Train your semantic memory, stay sharp, and stimulate your visual skills!

Client - Eco Map

When we have a new Client attend our Day Respite Centre I use the Eco Map idea as a great way to gather useful information specific to the Client. This activity is very useful for our Clients living with Dementia or have STML.

8 Comments Member Activity

Summer Fun Words Word Search

Here is a word Search using summertime words!

3 Comments Member Activity

This Day in History for Seniors: July

A reminiscing magazine for every day in July! Enjoy the next edition of the popular 'This Day in History' series with historical trivia, jokes, quotes and biographies!

5 Comments

Words starting with Con

The answers to this quiz all start with the letters CON!

2 Comments

D-Day Presentation

It was D-Day on 6 June 1944 - I have put a presentation together and included some 'human' stories - as it happened 75 years ago. I have included some slides that look at how times have changed - shopping, how we communicate etc.

2 Comments Member Activity

Wear The Hat Tell The Story

Collect several types of head-dress: straw boater, police helmet, crown, sailor/pirate etc.

2 Comments Member Activity

Vocabulary Synonyms Quiz #4

How good is your vocabulary? Tick the best synonyms for these words.

Fill-in the Blanks - Little Known Places of the World #2

There are so many places in the world we are not aware of; many of them are cultural and natural wonders! In focus: Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil

Fill-in the Blanks - Little Known Places of the World #1

There are so many places in the world we are not aware of; many of them are cultural and natural wonders! In focus: Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Funny Short Stories #1

Here are two funny short stories to share: The Roommate & The Miser

4 Comments

Chocolate Pudding

An easy chocolate pudding recipe!

Australian Place Names deriving from Aboriginal languages

Here is some trivia to share - translations for Australian suburbs and towns with Aboriginal names. Coolum, Dandenong, Bombala and more!

Bringing Art to Life in Your Community

Contrary to some beliefs, everyone is indeed an artist. Learn how to foster a love of all types of art in your senior care community, and how to create a showcase that will quickly become a favorite annual event.

2 Comments Member Activity