kelly

We will again be planting a vegetable garden this spring. This will be our second year. Last year I contacted a community group that helps with community gardens. I was able to get mulch, seeds and plants free! The requirement was that we had to have at least 8 gardeners. That part was easy because all residents can be included in minumum requirements. My son is involved in the Boy Scouts and his eagle scout project was to build raised beds for the garden (we have 3). The community garden program donated all the lumber and the scout troop built the beds and helped the residents plant. Each day the residents had the opportunity to water the plants and check on the gardens progress. We used the vegetables in our cooking group and gave some away. I don't know whether a similar type of program is available in all areas but if anyone is interested it would be worth checking it out. I live in the Cleveland, Ohio area if anyone in the area is interested please let me know and I will share the contact.

thanks for the ideas Gina. I work in a small facility 50 beds and unfortunately help from family members has been extremely limited. Many of the residents family members are elderly themselves making it difficult for much physical activity. Those residents who have younger fammily members are working during the day.and of course some residents have no family or no contact with them. Volunteers from schools in the area is difficult because of limited funding for the transportation. So far none of the local high schools have been willing to use public transportation. Has anyone else encountered these problems?

We will be having our first art show at our facility. We began the month by visiting the art museum and looking at different types of art. All month we have been working on varoius types of painting and will continue until the show. We have painted with string, mirror image painting, marble painting and had a drawing class. The most difficult part has been getting through to the residents the concept of abstract art. We looked at many abstract painting while at the art museum and that did help. In my experience it is always difficult for the residents to consider something art that does not resemble anything concrete. We will have staff judge the art and award ribbons. We are planning on serving a fizzy beverage in plastic wine glasses and serving cheese and crackers to give the feeling of an art gallery opening. I was lucky and found some nice mats for the artwork so it should have a more professional look when displayed. Many of the residents have warmed up to this idea and are excited about displaying their work! If anyone has any other ideas I would be glad to hear them.

Hello Eveyone! I am planning a senior olypics during Natl Nursing Home Week. I am looking for different ideas. We will have wheelchair racing, discus toss (frisbee) and other similar games. I am looking for ideas that residents can do in teams. Many of the residents are at different functioning levels and unfortunately I have no volunteers to ask to help. It is difficult to get volunteers during the day on weekedays and I am not able to schedule special activities on weekends as I have limited staff to help. Any ideas would be apprecited. Thanks