14 replies to this topic

[Jenbean81]

I am the AD in a 112 bed facility. I have 2 sensory activity groups that are ran by an activity aide from 8am-8pm. Most residents in the groups are frequent fallers or are in advanced stages of dementia. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for low level activities. I have thought of all i can think of and I need some help. Thanks

[BartMan]

Music and Music Therapy is always a good one.... ........BartMan in Tally

quote name='Jenbean81' date='Apr 23 2008, 10:41 AM' post='9297']
I am the AD in a 112 bed facility. I have 2 sensory activity groups that are ran by an activity aide from 8am-8pm. Most residents in the groups are frequent fallers or are in advanced stages of dementia. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for low level activities. I have thought of all i can think of and I need some help. Thanks
[/quote]

[January08]

BartMan, on Apr 23 2008, 03:10 PM, said:

Music and Music Therapy is always a good one.... ........BartMan in Tally

quote name='Jenbean81' post='9297' date='Apr 23 2008, 10:41 AM']
I am the AD in a 112 bed facility. I have 2 sensory activity groups that are ran by an activity aide from 8am-8pm. Most residents in the groups are frequent fallers or are in advanced stages of dementia. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for low level activities. I have thought of all i can think of and I need some help. Thanks

I am an AA doing activities with early dementia residents. This is according to actual experience. We conduct activities such as ring toss; horseshoe, basketball, bowling and other things that make them do something. It works. You smile with them when they want to make it perfect. You just need to encourage them just to try doing it. I hope these suggestions would help. Benilda

[catlover30]

hello there

I have the same problem too...

I have tennis rackets and have them sit (or stay in a wheel chair) in a circle and hit a balloon...

I also do the whole music and dance.... I got shower curtain rings and tied ribbon on to them and they hold the ribbon rings and dance with them... since most can't get up they use to ribbons to dance and express themselves...

if you cut out fishes out of construction paper then laminate them using clear packing tape you can then put magnets on them (x) and make fishing poles with sticks and strings putting a magnet (y) on them! and have the fishes float in a kiddie pool or fountain and the residents around the water trying to fish... and if they get a certain color they get a piece of candy or just an "Amazing Job"

Spray Art... get spray bottles and put some water color paint or food coloring in the spray bottles... hang up some butcher paper and let them spray paint... you can even draw a mural before and let them spray color that !

I made sewing cards that worked well but from what you wrote I think it would be a bit challenging!

[catlover30]

hello there

I have the same problem too...

I have tennis rackets and have them sit (or stay in a wheel chair) in a circle and hit a balloon...

I also do the whole music and dance.... I got shower curtain rings and tied ribbon on to them and they hold the ribbon rings and dance with them... since most can't get up they use to ribbons to dance and express themselves...

if you cut out fishes out of construction paper then laminate them using clear packing tape you can then put magnets on them (x) and make fishing poles with sticks and strings putting a magnet (y) on them! and have the fishes float in a kiddie pool or fountain and the residents around the water trying to fish... and if they get a certain color they get a piece of candy or just an "Amazing Job"

Spray Art... get spray bottles and put some water color paint or food coloring in the spray bottles... hang up some butcher paper and let them spray paint... you can even draw a mural before and let them spray color that !

I made sewing cards that worked well but from what you wrote I think it would be a bit challenging!

[loriditucci]

Low level activities: Folding napkins dish towels, or try helping them paint finger paints are great for Alz, residents, music therapy,

[spartans]

Jenbean81, on Apr 23 2008, 01:42 PM, said:

I am the AD in a 112 bed facility. I have 2 sensory activity groups that are ran by an activity aide from 8am-8pm. Most residents in the groups are frequent fallers or are in advanced stages of dementia. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for low level activities. I have thought of all i can think of and I need some help. Thanks

Are your residents able to sort, fold?

In this hot weather, they could make hand held fans using a piece of wall paper. Glue the ends of the fan together. If residents are capapble, they can decorate the fan. If you llive close to a store that carries wall paper, they will have out dated catalogs, giving them to you for free.

[doublehelix]

How low level are we talking? Are the majority no longer able to initiate meaningful movement?
I am the activity director in a ninety bed facility. The majority of my clients are mid to high functioning but the small percent that aren't tend to be difficult to program for.
Balloon ball is the number one success. Punch balls work really good because they don't pop as easy. We get good movement, laughter and increased self esteem from all the cheers and encouragement they get from staff. We do groups with mixed functional levels like balloon volley ball, paddle ball and parachute toss and we play 1:1 around the facility.
Music is another one. 1:1 while holding their hand, sing alongs with lots of the oldies and spiritual songs and mixed functional groups where peers can assist and encourage the others.
The third successful one is person specific. We use pictures of when they were young adults or former tools they once used or crafts they once did, sewing projects etc and visit 1:1. For some we made personal boxes of memorabilia.
We have two activity staff, myself and my assistant. On Monday and Friday around 3:30 in the afternoon when people begin to sundown we each have a 1:1 cart with books, magazines, easy puzzles, newspapers and sensory tools for tactile, olfactory etc., and we go out to visit those people who can't or won't come out into the facility community and our very low functioning residents who can't enjoy larger group activities.
Hope this helps some.

[casinera79]

Jenbean81, on Apr 23 2008, 01:42 PM, said:

I am the AD in a 112 bed facility. I have 2 sensory activity groups that are ran by an activity aide from 8am-8pm. Most residents in the groups are frequent fallers or are in advanced stages of dementia. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for low level activities. I have thought of all i can think of and I need some help. Thanks

The majority of residents in my community have early dementia to advanced stages of alzheimers. We've managed to keep everyone active by adjusting each activity so all levels can participate. Sing alongs are wonderful! we have several CD's and DVD's (from NASCO and ssww.com and eldersong). The DVD's have the words on the screen which helps if the residents don't remember the words, but know the tune. We use our karaoke machine and hook it up to the big tV so everyone can see the words. Dominoes, Old maid and checkers are very popular (simple is sometimes the best!) as is trivia dice, simple word scrambles or pictionary on the dry erase board. There are several indoor/outdoor sports games that can be played by residents who are standing or sitting, ie: Bean Bag Shuffleboard (can be put on the table or floor), bean bag toss, bowling, ring toss, basketball, and my favorite WII!!! The wii was the best investment we ever made. There are cooking games, carnival games, and the best ones are sports. Our residents with dementia or alzheimers play these more than anyone else in the community.
Simple gardening, planting seeds, watering, picking weeds is also a great activity for advanced dementia. the feeling of cool dirt in their fingers and a sense of accomplishment for a completed task is very rewarding and a great sensory stimulator!

Have fun and Good Luck!

[alzheimersidea]

Check out this relatively new activities director blog
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
It has many good ideas for low functioning residents

[Daisygirl1179]

Jenbean81, on Apr 23 2008, 10:42 AM, said:

I am the AD in a 112 bed facility. I have 2 sensory activity groups that are ran by an activity aide from 8am-8pm. Most residents in the groups are frequent fallers or are in advanced stages of dementia. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for low level activities. I have thought of all i can think of and I need some help. Thanks

What kind of activities are involved in you sensory groups?

[katrap]

My low level residents still love bingo, sing-a-longs to music from their era, getting in a circle and throwing a beachball (my men like this), cutting.......I have a woman who speaks polish and 2 slovak, I play polka tapes in their language and the LOVE it. (got them from e-bay) They ALL love to finish phrases that they all remember, "like father like ___ easy come,easy __ the pot calling the kettle ____ a stitch in time saves ____ etc. those phrases are my stand by for when I cant get anyone to do anything else ! Any simple craft that uses glue and glitter they love. I do the glue and they sprinkle the glitter and are amazed at the results. decorating clay pots with tissue paper and glue.

[kgj56]

Jenbean81, on Apr 23 2008, 12:42 PM, said:

I am the AD in a 112 bed facility. I have 2 sensory activity groups that are ran by an activity aide from 8am-8pm. Most residents in the groups are frequent fallers or are in advanced stages of dementia. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for low level activities. I have thought of all i can think of and I need some help. Thanks

There is an activity I used in my home of which any resident who can move their hands and fingers can do. It is called Cool Whip Art. It is very simple. All you need is...
1 container of whip topping ( there is sugar free)
food colorings
plastic spoons
paper cups
construction paper

place 1 teaspoon each of whip topping in 4 paper cups
put, seperate colors, few drops of coloring into each cup and stir briskly
give to residents to finger paint.
If they put their fingers in their mouth it won't hurt them
Some residents have been known to make a wonderful picture.
they're picture will hold it's color, stay soft but yet dry enough to hang in their room.
My residents loved it.

Edited by kgj56, 20 July 2008 - 01:59 PM.

[Mandyatscr]

I too have problems with low level programming. From what I am reading what some AD's are thinking as Low Level are what we consider moderate to high level here. My low level people are the ones who are in Geri- Chairs and are total care residents. The ones who if they make eye contanct when you call their name its a big deal. They are the ones who we have trouble keeping awake even during our most noisy activities such as rhythm band. I am having issues coming up with activity ideas for these types of residnets.

[corelens]

Jenbean81, on Apr 23 2008, 01:42 PM, said:

I am the AD in a 112 bed facility. I have 2 sensory activity groups that are ran by an activity aide from 8am-8pm. Most residents in the groups are frequent fallers or are in advanced stages of dementia. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for low level activities. I have thought of all i can think of and I need some help. Thanks

Just keep it simple. Hand massages, reading, pictures, walks, etc. I'm a memory impairment unit coordinator and the low functioning residents generally respond well to music. Be it a respite video, karaoke or sing-a-long -- it taps into early memories and it's as calming as it is joyful.

The residents also seem to enjoy balloon volleyball and respond well to round circle kicking. I place alarge-sized ball in the center of the circle, then push or gently kick the ball, and the residents kick the ball back to the center. I also play lively music in the background lead a multi-sensory activity.

Edited by corelens, 22 July 2008 - 06:48 PM.