LoveToKnow Seniors:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Seniors

Comments

Hi Dereck. It's hard to say if many nursing home communities would allow nude dancing. There may be some regulations regarding codes of conduct among residents that may also apply to guests and entertainment.

Perhaps you can make discreet inquiries with activity directors as to whether an outing may be more appropriate.

-- Contributed by: TK2

I have been thinking of volunteering at a local nursing home. I`m not sure if it would be ok or not, you see I`m a nude male dancer. Women have told me I should, because it would be stimulating and help them with depression. Would like some feedback or thoughts on this, thank you

-- Contributed by: Dereck

Thanks for letting us know about those, Paul!

-- Contributed by: TK2

A great activity to try is a product from Heads Up Puzzles. These are magnetic jigsaw puzzles that can be done at a table or in bed, especially great for those having trouble bending over. I know they also provide custom photo puzzles of grand kids or grand kids artwork that can be enjoyed in a magnetic puzzle.

-- Contributed by: Paul

Oh Luke, what a wonderful idea! Thanks so much for sharing.

Has anyone else done something like this?

-- Contributed by: TK2

I volunteer at a local nursing home and have made a weekly visit bringing in old time radio shows (from the 1940's) and playing them for the residents. Its amazing to see their eyes light up and the classic radio shows bring back some fond memories for many. I've found OTRCAT.com (Old Time Radio Catalog) is an excellent source for locating many of these shows.

-- Contributed by: Luke

Hoy is a great game to play, its a bingo like game played with playing cards and best of all you can download Hoy Game Sheets for free. Have a look at hoythegame.com

-- Contributed by: Stuart Taylor

Jessica, please click on the blue link "See All Comments" at the bottom of this page - there are a number of ideas, including a form of Twister that another activity aide uses for people who are in wheelchairs.

-- Contributed by: TK2

i work at a nursing home as an activity aid and i have 52 residents on my unit. most of themare in wheel chairs and i wanted to now if you can give me more ideas on a phisical activity that isn't tha physical> lol.?

-- Contributed by: jessica

Hi Tiffany - scroll down to the blue link "See All Comments" at the bottom of this page - there are many wonderful ideas listed that I'm sure your ladies would enjoy. Give us an update!

-- Contributed by: TK2

HELLO I AM TIFFANY AND IM HELPING ON ACTIVITIES WITH OUR ELDERLY WOMEN IN OUR HOME WE DONT HAVE A BIG FACILITY ITS A 6 BED HOME AND I WANTED SOME IDEAS ON WHAT I COULD DO FOR OUR LADIES MANY ARE IN WHEEL CHAIRS AS WELL...THANK YOU

-- Contributed by: TIFFANY

Thanks for stopping by, Chris. Here are a couple of easy ideas that shouldn't require too many props. Also make sure to click on the "see all comments" below for other ideas.

-Set up about 5-8 baskets on a long table, have a person line up (or roll up if they use a wheelchair) on either side and give each person 5-8 foam balls. Start the music, and see who can get all their balls into the baskets before the music ends.

-Blow up a few balloons and pull everyone together in a circle. Start the music, and have everyone pass the balloon around in different ways (and whatever is comfortable) - over their heads, behind their backs, maybe with their feet, depending on flexibility. When the music stops, the person holding the balloon sits out, but starts the next game by handing out the balloons.

-Ask the residents to think of some favorite songs. Then, when you play one, stop it midway through a verse. First person who can sing the rest of the verse wins a small prize.

-If the residents like to dance, have them dance until the music stops and you call out a number. They must assemble in groups of that number, and the one who doesn't make it into a group dances solo to another song (like YMCA or something).

Please check in again in a few weeks and let us know what else you come up with and how it's going!

-- Contributed by: TK2

Hello... I am a DJ and have recently been asked to entertain at an assisted living community. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on interactive games I could play with the residents. I love that twister velcro game~! Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Thank you in advance for your help.

-- Contributed by: Chris

Debbie, what a fun idea! Thanks so much for sharing.

And for anyone catching the top of this comments section, please make sure to click below on the link "See All Comments" for more terrific activity ideas.

-- Contributed by: TK2

Hi everyone--I have taken a twister game and put velcro in the center of each circle and taken small soft balls and put velcro on them. You spin the spinner and whatever color it lands on the residents try to get their balls to stick on that color. You can lay the mat on the floor or hang it on the wall. Its fun and exercises them at the same time. Debbie

-- Contributed by: Debbie

Hi Dolly, I am a Activity Director at a 55 bed facility. I know exactly what you are saying with the men and needing ideas for activities. Let me share some things that have been shared with me. How about a men's breakfast club. This is where the men (and yourself as supervisor)meet once a week, 2 times a month, 1 time a month; (whatever you choose), and they eat separately from the rest that day, mine in my activity room, and I serve donuts, juice and coffee. I also purchase a couple of different newspapers early that morning, then I let the guys kinda do there own thing. Talk and visit, on there own, and just for them. I am very fortunate to have a great little park in our town and we try to play a fishing trip a couple of times over the summer when the weather permits. I ask staff to volunteer their own fishing gear, the facility supplies the bait, etc and we also eat lunch at the park. Sometimes the facility will buy chicken with all the fixings, and sometimes I will help the kitchen staff and we will pack a picnic lunch. We are also planning a trip to a minor league baseball game coming up. I have even taken them to our hometown football, and basketball games. As far as more things to do in the facility; could anyone be assigned a volunteer job such as watering and caring for outside flowers? Also our local walmart sells little wooden cars, trains, boats ect, they are easily painted. Or also I have bought some model cars and let them work on them maybe two together. I hope this helps! Please feel free to share any ideas for men or women that you find popular.

-- Contributed by: Mendy

Hi Lynne--I found this on the web--the comments section has some interesting ideas. I'l keep looking...

Deanne

-- Contributed by: lynne

Hey Dolly! Thanks for adding your ideas to the list we compiled for Jermaine below. Carpet bowling sounds like great fun! If you use some of the ideas below, let us know how they work out!

-- Contributed by: TK2

I sit here looking at activities and also work in a nursing home with 51 residents..men do not get involved much and yes would like some ideas also if you could share..we do a horse race game ..done with large dice..need more advice..also carpet bowling..also found out sketching with charcoals was great and making ice cream in a can and they kicked it back and forth and tasted so good..if you could pass on some ideas I would appreciate it or if need further info on ideas that I covered ..could also give more info. Thanks will be waiting for reply..Thanks for your help..Dolly

-- Contributed by: Dolly

Hey Jermaine! Thanks for stopping by. What a great job you have! We'll start a brainstorming session and hopefully you'll find some ideas.

-Try a board game like Tabletalk - http://www.eldersong.com/-strse-179/TABLETALK/Detail.bok - which encourages lively discussion.

-Bring in a guest lecturer from a local college or university or, if mobility permits, take the group to the school. Many higher institutions have adult learning programs that don't offer credit, but have lectures, discussions, and educational angles on various topics. These are sometimes free or available for a small fee.

-Ask a local Boy Scout troup to come in to share photos and stories from a recent campout.

-See if anyone has an musical ability or try a barbershop quartet. The fun will definitely be in the trying.

-Speaking of music, call local music stores/instructors to see if any of their young students would be willing to come by and play old favorites.

-Ask a representative from each branch of the Armed Services to come for a discussion/recollection. Obviously, some men may not have served or won't want to talk about their service, but they may enjoy listening to tales from someone else.

-Go to the dollar store and pick up items for a "Hawaii night" - cheap leis, for example. Fix pineapple drinks, play some ukelele music, followed by a Don Ho or Elvis in Hawaii concert/movie. Repeat with Mexican night, Carribean night, German night and so on. 'Course, the movies might get a little strange. :D

-Ask the local ASPCA or shelter to bring by some dogs, if your facility allows it, on a regular basis. Pet therapy is wonderful for the humans, and the dogs love the companionship.

-Pick a topic for the evening, start a tape recorder, and ask everyone to share a story. For example, "what was your first job?" or "Tell us about your first love." I think you'll be surprised at how many will open up. Then, if the gentlemen are willing, play the stories back during dinner or some other social time.

-Host a trivia game with particular topics from certain decades. Do the research online, and pass out small awards from the dollar store (like mints, nuts, or whatever else is appropriate) to the winner of each round.

-If most men have the dexterity, find a simple toy to put together as a craft project - like rubber-band propeller balsawood planes, for example -that they can make for children at a local domestic shelter. This will encourage a feeling of usefulness.

-Research different types of exercise that the men using chairs can do, and ask the more mobile men to help lead the exercise session. Even if it's only for a half-hour twice a week, it could be really helpful.

-Ask the local college/university or high school theatre department if they have any students willing to put on a classic comedy skit, such as Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?"

-Also ask the theatre group to perform readings of funny plays or books.

-There's a game called Musical Bingo that's apparently very popular.

-Find some old radio shows on CD or cassette, such as "The Shadow Knows" or George Burns and Gracie Allen, and play those for a change of pace.

-If they're a humorous bunch, start a kazoo band.

-Finally, ask them what is of interest to them. They might have some suggestions that you or I would never think of.

Please check back in and let us know what you come up with and how things are going!

-- Contributed by: TK2

Hi, my name is Jemaine. I work in a facility where there are maybe 7 men, and my acitivities director want me to come up with things to do, with them. A mens group,(i.e. poker night fake cigars, cards, and something close to alcohol without alcohol)5 of the 7 are in wheelchairs and their age and abilites varies. I'm new to activities, and our facility isn't as luxuious, so some of the ideas i've been seeing online won't work for us. I just need something besides movie night, where i put in a guys movie, and serve snacks. If you could give me some ideas that i can work off of, i'd greatly appreciate it. I just need to get the ball rolling, and i can pretty much take it from there. Thank You

-- Contributed by: Jermaine Hayes
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