Activities for the elderly?

Question

I've just applied for a job as an activity co-ordinator for the elderly. I want to go to the interview with good ideas. I can think of a bunch of places in the local area where it would be fun to go, but with winter closing in, I need some inspiration for indoor activities.
My passion is genealogy and local history, so I want to do something with that, but does anyone have any other good ideas?

Wesley - What are you talking about? Looking at history is not reminding someone their time is nearly up! Some people will take an interest in it and I'll be happy to share my interest with them, that's all.

Answer 1

Get a euchre, bridge, etc. club going so they can play once a week. Organize the ladies into a Red Hat Society Club !! After they have attended a weekly meeting for three months or so then have them creat their own Red Hat !!! They can go out to eat once a month or every 2 months even. They can go on outings like to the mall or movies or out to eat. Have some of the staff bring in their best baked goody or their best dessert and have the ladies judge them.(Best tasting, appearance, most original etc. Have Karaoke every Friday or every other friday with all the residents and the staff can sing to get them started !!!! Have a local talent come in on the last Friday of each month to celebrate all the residents birthdays that month. Have some of the residents make the birthday cakes the day before. Have a movie and Popcorn night every Friday night.(In the lounge of course.) Have the old standby Bingo 3 times a week. Do sweating to the oldies 3 times a week. Have the one's who are in chairs do chair exercises. Have the interested ladies make a quilt by hand sewing the pieces. Then auction the finished quilt off to the highest bidder which should include the residents, their families, staff etc. Then use the money for things for the Activities room !!! Make one day a month dress up day. Have a fifies day, roaring twenties day etc. Have the interested residents make Nachos and sell them once a month to staff, etc. Have a carnival !!! Indoors in the winter. Call it something like Fun in the snow. Ohhh and every Friday have a makeover session. Have a couple of volunteers do the ladies hair and nails. Especially the nails. Residents families might not want their hair messed with. And see if you can have a place for the residents to go of an evening to socialize because those nursing homes put the residents to bed right after supper and there are some who need to party hardy instead !!!!! lol ... And have the local church choirs, school choirs, local talent come in and sing whenever they can. On weekends especially. On Saturday nights have a putting on the hits contest, lip singing etc. Have an Ice Cream Social once a month !!! Have residents make posters on Nurse appreciation day etc. Have the residents get rid of some of their unwanted posessions by having a red tag sale in the diningroom once or twice a year. Get their families permission of course. They might even contribute !!!

Answer 2

My friend's wife is an activities director at our local nursing home. She always plans a Sweetheart contest for Valentines day. She places cans in grocery stores all around town so people can vote.Then, she has a King and Queen contest later in the summer.They play bingo one day a week. She has a lady that teaches line dancing to those that are able. The others just like listening to the music. She has a program with the elementary school where the elderly can read to the kindergarten class.She usually does a craft project once a week.And, the elderly people make the decorations to decorate the nursing home for the holidays.She had a couple people volunteer to give everyone a manicure and pedicure. She said that was a big hit. It seems like something is always going on up there.Ask the people what they would like.

Answer 3

Their Are Fun Sports Games On The Wii That Stimulate Brain Functions And Balance And You Dont Need To Leave Your House lol

Answer 4

How about getting in touch with the local animal shelter and see if they would bring in some well behaved dogs/cats for the folks to spent time with. Or maybe some of them would like to spend time with a local elementary school class being a mentor to some of the youngsters. It would be something special to do aside from the arts and crafts thing. Good Luck, hope you get the job.

Answer 5

I used to work for a Long Term Care Facility... now I'm headed for one...lol No, I'm not old enough yet!

I found they loved talking about their ancestors and not just local history as many came from other areas, but they do love to talk about things the way they used to be. One older fellow used to tell me all about the railroad going in..it was really interesting, another about the "great" depression..again very interesting.

Indoor activities, .. challenges, they have many great skills, quilting (mega quilts) music and singing. The elderly in those homes love to show what they can do as it makes them feel really good about themselves.

Answer 6

1, situps to music
2, a inside excerzie bike
3. walking up stairs ( if you have any )
4. Just play cards & not think about it.
5. WALKING, its the best Form.
6, Going to the Malls,
7. Snow Shovelling ( if your in good health )
8. On line games, Then Go Walking with a Walking Partner & maybe out to eat to.
9. Brookfield Zoo,
10. Print out Recipes from the Web & make Folders for them ( i did ) & feed the birds to.

Answer 7

I just quit my job as Activities Director in my town, which I did love for 2 1/2 years. As far as outings, I have no suggestions in that department...as I dont know what your Senior Center's funds are, and whether you can incorporate that into your portion of the job. Generally, you carry on Activities inside your Center, such as Crafts, teach them different crafts, Library Club, convince them to get involved and participate, develop a plan,and schedule it and see it thru. Your Genealogy and history background will be of great help to get them to open up and possibly want to contribute their 2cents. You also, should be involved with the decorations of the Center, table centerpieces, Holiday affairs, special occasions, Birthday Lunches etc....I was able to get started a Red Hat Society in our Center, that is fun, and does have field trips out for lunches and outings. We have a Ramblers club that has trips to the theatre, monthly, and weekend trips for the Seniors. It costs them, and a Bus is rented for the outings. They even go on Cruises to Hawaii/Alaska etc. This is one very busy group of both Male and Female Seniors that really enjoy each others company. Good Luck to you....

Answer 8

Musical entertainment (all varieties), exercise groups and bingo were the popular activities at my mother-in-law's nursing home. Those who could see well enough liked the arts and crafts activities. The ones who were physically able liked the trip to Wal-Mart. Good luck in your job search. The elderly enjoy most any activity if they are with people who are nice to them.

Answer 9

assist your seniors in learning how to track their ancestors on the computer, teach them computer skills, offer arts and crafts, ask them what area they lived in and help them research that area;s history,start a pet visiting program, most like to see animals visit....start a music appreciation group, quiz what favorite music, [you can find some of the music at second hand record stores, movie day [one a week[ show a movie some oldie but goodies, bingo games, card games,book club, arrange to have a church visit for those who wish it.....some seniors like to see children perform a light music or singing, find someone who plays piano and have them plays some good music, even a singalong would be fun.....

Answer 10

Button, Button who's got (remembers) the button?, musical wheelchairs, pin the tail on the co-ordinator, hide and go tosleep, jacks, ring around the rosie, step rope. There's a bunch of fine games that us duffers excel at.