I work at a nursing home..and was wondering if anyone had any ideas for activitys for the residents.?

Question

Some are in assited living and some are up and able to get around on their own....and creative...somewhat easy ideas would be appreciated...thanks

Answer 1

Hey Tiffany, I worked as an Activities Director for 12 years at one of our local nursing homes. It was THE most wonderful job in the world. Just remember, that every day you walk into that place, you are walking into a living, breathing history book. I vote for most of the ideas that have already been given to you. Just remember that activities should be geared to each individual resident's interests and background, as well as their current capabilities. A "tasting" party was a great activity for our folks; with residents choosing each month strange, or odd, foods they wanted to try. Diets are soooo restrictive, but our admin. let us do this....we had things like smoked salmon, caviar, you name it.....in very small portions....residents loved it. We also had a hot air balloon ride....tethered ride that went up 250 feet. We even were able to get a lady with a cast on her leg into the basket....what an awesome evening....and it was free...donated to us....lots of town folks came to watch and help man the lines, like the mayor, etc.....good p. r. for you, too......bowling is great, also, with the hollow, regulation size ball and pins.....have a great time.....

Answer 2

Every person who lives in a 'nursing home' or 'assisted living facility' is STILL a 'whole and complete person' who has his/her own likes and dislikes, own 'favored activities' ... so I think that the first 'activity' you should do is to hold a meeting and have 'ballots' (and people to help fill them out, if some people have trouble with the language and writing) and simply ASK THE RESIDENTS what activities they would like to do. You certainly won't be able to do every activity for ever patient's pleasure, but you will get a very 'good idea' on things you CAN DO ... simply 'count the ballots' and do the activity with the 'most votes' first, and move on 'down the line.' You'll be surprised, probably, but this actually 'works.' Try taking this 'vote' once every 3-6 months and you'll see that those 'poor old people' have a lot more going for them than 'meets the eye.'

Answer 3

I used to be a professional musician, and one of my giveaways was to play old songs at nursing homes. If you can find musicians, that's a good one. Knitting and crochet are easy and relatively inexpensive crafts, and don't require high-order eye-hand coordination. If you can get someone who can teach graphic art, that often gets people going. Check with schools, they frequently like having someone produce little reward paper dolls, or cut out shapes to award students with. There are a great many relatively easy craft kind of things that can be done for schoolteachers, especially for elementary teachers. If you can have dogs or cats in, many relatively immobile people can enjoy a friendly dog or cat to pet. Visits from children can be a good thing, check with kindergartens and day care facilities. And if they can walk, they can probably dance a bit.

Answer 4

Singing songs that they are familar with, always puts a smile on their faces. Let the residents dance if they are able to do so. That's always a lot of fun. Bingo is a game most everyone likes, as well. Better yet, poll the residents & see what they'd like

Answer 5

Salad Tossing!!!! It is like an egg toss, but eggs are too heavy for the elderly. You make baggies and fill them with salad, don't forget to dress them. Use small sandwich bags that do not seal. You have them line up, good game for people in wheel chairs. You use a set number of tosses, then use a scale or eyeball the remaining letuce left in the bags. they team with the most salad left wins. Then those two usually have to do something to determine the winner between the two of them. I suggest a dance off. The elderly are normally from an era that loves dancing, but they are just not real good at it anymore. It is good cardio, just make sure they do not over exert themselves.

Answer 6

You might find some ideas and crafts at this page of my website:
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/disabilities.htm
...especially the sub-categories called *Seniors & Assisted Living & Stroke,etc* under the "Special Groups" category
... and maybe also the category called *Tools, & Work Areas, & (heavily) Assistive Devices*)


(my whole site is primarily about polymer clay, but this page deals with more than that, and also has more general links)


Good luck!

Diane B.

Answer 7

Have a special dinner for them and follow it with a movie night. Gardening would be a nice idea too even if it was just a in little pot. It would let them take care of something, feel more independent and feel needed. You could do poinsettias i the winter, geraniums, anything really.

Answer 8

How a pair of small tape recorder, some tapes, and postage paid addressed envelopes to you? she will "record" letters, mail them touyou, and you will re-record them and deliver back to her. Or a pre-paid telephone card, so she will call you a week. What a pair of subscription to month-to-month audio books? you may desire to pre-pay a beautician for some visits. Or organize for sparkling fruit or flower deliveries. Be imaginative- a majority of those unfavorable persons decide for is a few interest and to experience enjoyed.

Answer 9

They can paint popsicle sticks (bought at WalMart). If they can't hold them, devise a small board with clothespin glued on that can hold it for them. Arrange them into picture frames. Take pictures of them to put in the frame. Glue on a magnet.

Answer 10

Let them play a board game with other people there or let them see who can get to a certain point.(like a racing game)