I am starting work as a activities co-ordinator for the elderly any suggestions for activities to do with them

Answer 1

Don't treat them as old, my mum is in sheltered housing and gets fair wild when people treat her as an old foogie. Her mind is as sharp as it always was, the body is just a bit slower. They have Linedancing, Exercise to music, swimming club, Bingo, quiz day. that takes care of Monday to Friday, heaven knows what they get up too over the weekend, they have a great time to themselves.

Answer 2

Different groups of elderly, depending on the personalities in each particular group, have different preferences, likes and dislikes.

I seriously suggest you ask the group you are co-ordinating what they would like to do, and respect those who are in the minority if it comes to a vote.

You would also do well to find out about the capabilities of the people in the group, and any special needs, medical or otherwise eg some activities take place over a period of time.

I think a universal activity would be - let them take turns to talk on whatever subject they want - !

Answer 3

Well a lot depends on the age and the frailty or not of your group.If you are restricted to indoors, you have the old favourite,bingo. Or dancing,modern or old tyme. Whist drives, quizzes . A oldies talent show of singing, miming.reading poetry,telling jokes etc. One at a time to speak to the rest and reminisce about prewar times,the blitz or wartime service memories,the adventures of evacuees and so on. Games like darts or pool if the facilities are there. I am sure the people you work for will have a lot of references you could look up to expand the field of activities. Another thing would be if these people were inmates of a nursing home or similar or people living in their own homes and visiting a club once or twice a week.

Answer 4

Yes I have and they like this one. This is what the co-ordinator was doing, when I went see my Mother-in-Law in a home. She managed to get a hold of old pictures, of film stars and the old folk loved to remember who was who. Strange but old people cant remember what they had for dinner yesterday, but can remember 60 years ago no bother. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

How elderly? It depends upon the age and physical capabilities.

Crayon sun catcher:

you will need:
crayons
handheld pencil sharpener
waxed paper
wood cutting board
oven mit
glue
construction paper
kitchen towel
hot iron

Directions:
Twist crayons into sharpener to make shavings(watch your residents so they dont eat the crayons or shavings).spread shavings onto waxed paper,and place another piece of waxed paper on top of that.place the kitchen towel over the waxed paper and rub the hot iron over the paper to melt the crayons.let picture cool down then cut off excess wax paper and make a frame around your picture out of construction paper.hang in a bright sunny window,the colors are beautiful....
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go to Wal-Mart and eat lunch at McDonalds.We let them shop for their" goodies"and window shop. Its a great way for the community to see how we treat our residents,and to market our facility(we always take buss.cards,brochures)and its wonderful for our residents to get out and mingle with others.
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Med/High Functioning Residents

MARSHMALLOW TOSS
Items needed: med/large mixing bowls, and several bags of marshmallows, dab of flour
arrange residents so they are in a circle. give each resident a bowl with 10-12 marshmallows. lightly dust marshmallows with flour.Explain to residents that the object is to be the first one to get rid of all the marshmallows in their bowl. However, they cannot just throw their marshmallows on the floor, they have to try to make them into someone else's bowl. They can throw one marshmallow at a time. and they cannnot throw to the person to their immediate left or right. The first one to get rid of their marshmallows wins. we even have a marshmallow thrower champ!! The residents really laugh, especially when they can see the flour where the marshmallows hit someone (and their very soft, so it doesn't hurt)

Answer 6

part of any plan must include exercise. Music, cards, trips, etc. And an active search for outsiders to volunteer time to keep company would be an excellent start. Think of the movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes"... you will have many answers there.

Answer 7

I work at an assisted living facility for alzheimer and dementia patients. I started as an Activity Director.. It is always good to keep up their motor skills ... you want to do things with them that makes them feel like they are doing it for a reason. Peanuts..and String beans are good ... Crack them and separate them its good for arthritis and what not . Bingo is always a hit .. arts and crafts... bowling ... you can find the that they sell they as sets in magazines they send to facility's .. We have karaokee all the time and they love it! we get the staff to join in ... get some good frank sinatra hits ...if you have any more questions ... or want more ideas you can email me at [e-mail]

Answer 8

Elderley people love playing card games. A Whist Drive is especially good. I am 62 and used to take my elderley Mum to a Whist Drive every 2 weeks. Now I have moved, I cannot find one but I would love to play. Also beetle drives are another source of entertainment but you don't seem to hear of them now. I suppose I am in the minority but, I live in hope.

Answer 9

I also work in the elderly environment and we have such fun with making and dressing up with clown make-up, hats, expandable collars, hoola-hoops are great fun and don't think they can't do this, they can. Everyone loves to jitter-bug, flat-foot and waltz. It's wonderful to see everyone in the pool. Mostly the folks I work with are like 75 to 90.

Answer 10

Is this to be in a residential facility? It depends on the degree of infirmity and the ages of the residents...My mom lives in assisted living and they have games; dance night; sing-a-longs; crafts and outings.

The senior residences that have more 'independent living' residents enjoy nights out at the theatre; movies; shopping; gambling; museums...