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10 Tips for Improving Interpersonal Communication Skills
Interpersonal Communication is face to face communication; it is the exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages between people. Effective listening and understanding body language are central to effective communication.
1 Comment New
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How to Present an Award to Volunteers
The idea of an award is to make the award recipient feel good; to make it his or her special day.
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Residents’ Rights Bingo
A Residents’ Rights themed Bingo!
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How to Write a Biopoem
A bio poem is a poem that is written to describe a person. Here is a template you could use to write one.
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How to Celebrate Residents' Rights Month
In the US, “Residents’ Rights Month” is observed in October each year. This is an important event that honors residents living in long-term care facilities.
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How to Run Group Exercise Sessions for the Elderly
We all know that exercise is good for us but for some reason, the older we get, the less we do. Contrary to popular belief, poor balance and muscle weakness has a lot more to do with inactivity than age.
8 Comments Member Share
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Double O Word Game
Boo! It's Halloween! A great activity that I've done with my group before is called "The Double O Game". We try to list as many words as we can that have a double O in them.
3 Comments Member Share
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World Animal Day Church Service
We have a regular Anglican service and last year our therapy dog was invited to the church service for world animal day. The Minister spoke about the role of animals and the therapy dogs owner spoke about the role of the dog in her life and in that of the home.
1 Comment Member Share
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Kitten Therapy
Approach a cat rescue centre and ask if they would be willing to bring in some kittens. Residents who often wander will remain seated for extended periods of time watching the kittens.
1 Comment Member Share
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Shortbread Biscuits
This is a really simple baking recipe, which is good for all residents. Your residents can use their hands to mix the ingredients into a bread-crumb consistency, before pulling it all together in a dough.
1 Comment Member Share
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Poems for Grandparents Day
Here are two grandparents themed poems to share.
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Match Songs with Artists Quiz 6
Baby-boomers will love this one! Reminisce about boyfriends or husbands at the time, fashion, hair styles, popular movies and food.
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Animal Idioms Quiz
Idioms are fun to use and every language has them. Challenge your clients to guess this set of idioms!
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Alphabet Profession Names Game
Think of two occupations/professions starting with each letter of the alphabet. This brain game is suitable to both individuals and group settings.
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Famous People Who Were Once Teachers
Here is some interesting trivia about well-known personalities who are also teachers!
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World Animal Trivia #3
Some more animal trivia to enjoy on World Animal Day!
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Monarchs of the World Crossword
Here's a monarchy themed crossword!
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How to Avoid Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue has been described as 'running on empty', it happens when you focus on meeting the physical and emotional needs of your clients at the expense of your own.
19 Comments
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Puppetry for the Elderly
Joyous interaction with self and others is vital to health. I do not believe that puppetry is too childish for the aged.
2 Comments Member Share
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Labor Day Music Program
Host a sing along or music discussion using songs that relate to one's occupation.
3 Comments Member Share
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Creative Pursuits That Improve Quality of Life
As people age, they should continue to express themselves and learn new things.
Creative pursuits are known to enhance communication and concentration, with more opportunities for recreation and socialization.1 Comment Member Share
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Cooking Activities for Puréed and Mechanical Soft Diets
Swallowing disorders can occur at any age but are more common among the elderly, particularly those living with dementia or affected by strokes. Dysphagia is the medical term to describe difficulty swallowing.
2 Comments
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Activity Evaluation Form
Here is an activity evaluation form that I used in the past. Each facility will have their own version. It is called a Monthly Program Evaluation and it consists of one sheet for each week of the month;
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The Role of the Activity Staff in Palliative Care
This article is designed to help make your engagement with people in palliative care easier.
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Games Around The Room
Place several different board games and other table top games around tables in a room. Activities could include Jenga, Snakes and Ladders, Guess Who, Cards, Ludo, Dominoes.
2 Comments Member Share
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Intergeneration Activities
It is important that senior members of the community feel linked with the rest of society.
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Guess the Celebrity Ages
We decided to create a guessing game for our residents and adapted it so that it could be used with a wide range of abilities. It was a really fun and easy to make activity, you can add celebrities that are well known in your area!
6 Comments Member Share
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Sundownder Music
Between 5pm and 6 pm in the Dementia-Specific House, Residents are agitated and restless. To help calm them down, I get out an iPad and get onto Youtube.
7 Comments Member Share
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Blank Word Search Grid for Residents
Here is 10 x 10 grid that I used to help the residents make their own words searches which they can share. It is easy enough to do and makes residents feel good that they created something.
3 Comments Member Share
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Tie One On Party
A "Tie One On Party", is a party where everyone wears a tie.
This is a simple and fun theme for a party that everyone will enjoy!Member Share
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Match the Songs with The Movies
Match these well-known songs to the movies in which they featured!
A wonderful reminiscing quiz for seniors. -
How to Celebrate Chocolate Milkshake Day
A great day to celebrate on September 12 is, "Chocolate Milkshake Day". This is a US holiday, but no matter where you live, your residents will enjoy it.
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Milkshake Trivia
Here is some interesting trivia about the history of milkshakes to enjoy!
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Inventors You've Never Heard Of
Our lives have been made easier by countless brilliant minds bringing forward inventions perceived as 'impossible'. Some were handsomely rewarded and others did not receive the recognition they deserved.
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History of the Tie
Here is some interesting trivia regarding the history of the necktie.
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How to Celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, often called the High Holidays, are the two most holy days of the year for those who are Jewish.
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Tie Trivia
Here is some interesting trivia about ties!
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Chocolate Milkshake Word Search
A milkshake themed word search!
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14 Ways to Be Grateful and Happy
Gratitude, being a powerful emotion, offer countless benefits; positive energy, better sleep, optimism, and alertness to name a few.
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Peace Word Search
A peace themed word search!
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Mexican Word Game
How many words can you make from the word GUACAMOLE?
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Maritime Word Search
A maritime themed word search to enjoy.
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Mexican Word Search 2
Here's another Mexican themed word search!
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Prize Walk
I placed numbers on the floor 1-20 in a circle (just like a cake-walk). I played music as the residents danced and walked the circle.
4 Comments Member Share
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Taste Test Savoury Nibbles
I bought 10 different types of savoury snacks with unusual flavours and residents guessed the flavour. We also had interesting trivia such as which countries eat the most or least crisps and easy true false questions the history of crisps pretzels etc.
3 Comments Member Share
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Guess the Number of Lollies in a Jar
Fill a jar with Jelly Beans or other suitable lollies, (count them as you put them in)
2 Comments Member Share
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Show Day Games - Guess the Weight
Fill a container of any sort that can be filled with rice, sugar, sand or any other suitable product. Ensure it is easy for residents to pick up.
2 Comments Member Share
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The Money or the Bag
We had a board with numbered envelopes stuck on it. (The prizes were written on a piece of paper in each envelope).
2 Comments Member Share
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BIG Memory Cards
I simply print off the pictures I want, together with a "Question Mark" for the reverse side, and slip them into the empty DVD covers.
6 Comments Member Share
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Fun Riddle 36
Number 36 in our fun riddle series for seniors!
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How to Help People Find Their Sense of Purpose
A sense of purpose boosts self-esteem, generates positivity, and makes people feel happier. It gives them a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
3 Comments Member Share
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Matching Activity - Famous Landmarks of the World
This is a Montessori based activity where images are matched with the words that describe them. The theme for this activity is: Famous Landmarks of the World
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5 of Quiz
This is a list of everyday items, people, places etc and you give the title subject out and the residents have to answer.
1 Comment Member Share
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How to Build Positive Relationships with Residents
In long-term care organizations reciprocity in relationships between staff and clients is essential to wellbeing.
3 Comments Member Share
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Famous Horses & Their Owners
Match owner, creator, film, or book with related horses.
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All Things Weddings
Ask staff and families to bring in albums, framed photographs, gowns (bridal or guest) etc. It is amazing how much you will collect!
2 Comments Member Share
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Guess Who?
I get the staff to bring in a young photo of themselves. The photo goes up on the notice-board for a week with entry forms. Some of the guesses are hilarious!
1 Comment Member Share
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Indoor putting weekly league
Golf is recognised as a good activity for promoting mental, physical and social wellbeing. Putting is a relaxing and ideal indoor activity that can be done by people with previous golfing skills and those who have never played before.
6 Comments Member Share
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Quicktionary
This is a game I purchased but I think it can be adapted and created by hand. The object is to be the first to shout out a word that meets all three conditions.
3 Comments Member Share
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Name 3 Word Game
My group loves Brain Games! Name 3 or 5 or 7... :)
Boy names, flowers, cheeses, ways to cook eggs...5 Comments Member Share
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Special Morning Tea - Themed
We invite residents from another area in our complex to come and have a special morning tea with us.
2 Comments Member Share
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Creative Hand Fans
Our creative staff in China came up with this idea due to the hot summer days we get in Beijing. Cheap craft stores and dollar shops sometimes have these in the craft section.
5 Comments Member Share
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How to Celebrate Lighthouse Day
Lighthouses have been used for hundreds of years. They are becoming less and less important these days with the advances in GPS and radar systems although there are some still active. Nevertheless, these beacons should be preserved and cherished. Like castles, they should remain present and fixed in the landscape.
2 Comments
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Forgiveness Activities
Practising forgiveness is a worthy pursuit. It is a wonderful opportunity to let go of hurtful feelings and build stronger relationships.
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Bark Art / Feather Art
Provide templates that enhance the use of the bark material such as the Owl Template attached. Collect paperbark and encourage the Residents to peel the bark into fine, small pieces. The result is organic and realistic. A very beautiful artwork.
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NAIDOC Week Flag Decorating
Come together and decorate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags for NAIDOC week.
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Forgiveness Fill-in-the-blanks Text
Here is a fill in the blanks forgiveness story with the original text provided.
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Short Stories about Forgiveness
Here are two short stories to share about forgiveness.
2 Comments
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Amerindian Word Search
Find the American Indian words!
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Amazing Beer Trivia
Did you know that CENOSILLICAPHOBIA is the fear of an empty beer glass?!
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Old Occupations Quiz
Most of the following occupations no longer exist or are now known by different names. Clients may remember some other obscure occupations to add to this list!
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Feather Headdress
Feathers are used by many native people around the world. They are used to make headdresses, masks and to adorn clothes. This easy headdress pattern is based on one of the many types used by American Indians.
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Forgiveness Quotes
Famous quotes about forgiveness for pondering
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Forgiveness Word Search
A love and forgiveness themed word finder!
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General Knowledge Quiz 3
A multicultural, general knowledge quiz for the elderly!
4 Comments
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Left-Zone Area Activity
Create your own ‘Left Zone’! Declare a corner of your recreation area a designated area where right-handers must be left-handers for the day!
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Optimal Activities - Marketing, Fundraising & Sourcing Free Resources
How do we overcome time, staff and budget constraints to make optimal activities happen for our residents?
3 Comments Member Share
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Optimal Activities - Staff & The Physical Environment
An optimal activity environment greatly influences your ability to provide the best possible activities for your residents.
4 Comments Member Share
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What to Include in a Staff Meeting
It is necessary to communicate regularly with your staff. You should have a formal meeting at least once per quarter.
1 Comment Member Share
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Giant Scrabble
Played like normal scrabble but on a larger scale. We drew a large scrabble board on the whiteboard and stuck magnets to the back of the tiles, this meant clients needed to stand up and move around while playing the game.
3 Comments Member Share
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Famous Faces
Download various faces of famous people, present and past. Show the residents the face and have them guess the famous face. We also have a little discussion on each person.
1 Comment Member Share
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Fun Riddle 35
Number 35 in our fun riddle series!
2 Comments
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Word Ladder #6
Number 6 in our word ladder series!
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How to Organise a Dress-Up Day to Raise Funds
A 'Dress-is Day' is a great opportunity to raise funds to extend your budget or help a charity. A Dress-up day may also serve to boost your organization's morale and provide a day of fun and entertainment.
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Jobs Crossword
A job themed crossword to enjoy!
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Job Quotes
Famous quotes about jobs & working!
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Work Word Search
A work themed word search!
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Work Jokes
Here are some funny work related jokes to share!
1 Comment
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Winter Campfire
Take a journey down memory lane by engaging each resident in sharing their experiences of camping or holidays they remember.
1 Comment Member Share
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Around the World
This is a wonderful interactive armchair travel activity for residents of all capabilities and great for one-on-ones or group sessions. Using a world globe and your ipad you can transport someone to another Country, talk about their culture, food, economy, music, lifestyle, dress, traditions, famous places, famous people, etc. It really is endless what you can discuss in these sessions.
3 Comments Member Share
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Suburb & Neighbourhood Picture Match
Hi all I've made this activity a few times for our residents and they enjoy it greatly. I print pictures that make up a name of a suburb or neighbourhood for example Rose Park, I print a picture of a Rose then another of a Park and place them side by side.
2 Comments Member Share
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Mad Hatters Tea Party
To host a mad hatters tea party is a very easy thing to do. Let your imagination run wild and be inspired by anything whimsical and enchanting and of course Alice in Wonderland. The looks on our Residents faces when they saw how amazing this was, was worth every minute spent.
7 Comments Member Share
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How to Communicate with Body Language
For many people living in care facilities, the means to communicate verbally has become limited or lost due to dementia and this can significantly impact self-esteem. The good news is that over 90% of communication is non-verbal.
4 Comments Member Share
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What is Elder Abuse?
Elders can be abused in their own homes, in the homes of their relatives and even in care facilities. They may be abused by their children/grandchildren, caregivers, spouses, partners, and staff in long-term care settings.
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Elder Abuse Prevention
Elder abuse includes neglect, violence, and exploitation and is a major concern facing the elderly around the world. Current data suggests that 4 to 5 percent of the elderly suffer from some kind of abuse and that a large percentage goes unreported.
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Things you dont see any more!
This discussion came out of someone saying "you don't see jumble sales anymore". This lead me to think of all the things we don't see now.
1 Comment Member Share
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Google Search
I've added "Google Search" to our activities calendar. I ask residents to think of something that they would like to know the answer to.
5 Comments Member Share
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Artist Impression - Ted Harrison - Sunset
Famous Naïve Art Colouring Pages for Seniors: Here is an impression of a work of art by Ted Harrison.
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Artist Impression - Ted Harrison - Church
Famous Naïve Art Colouring Pages for Seniors: Here is an impression of a work of art by Ted Harrison.
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Artist Impression - Sheila Maloney - Ocean
Famous Naïve Art Colouring Pages for Seniors: Here is an impression of a work of art by Sheila Maloney.
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Enjoy meaningful activity ideas that you can use with your clients straight away.
Golden Carers is fantastic and invaluable, our clients love all the activities, quizzes and crosswords. You all make my job as a diversional therapist much easier with all your wonderful quizzes and ideas. A huge thank you to you and your team. 😊
Anna Garrood
Diversional Therapist
