Men Activities

[Guest Tinki]

I think those are great ideas!

 

Karen

[Guest JodyB]

I do too, copied them off for my staff. :hammer:

[Guest Sue]

I agree all of the activities sound great.

Let me add a few not on the list so far; our men's group enjoy a Friday night movie with all the popcorn/soda and a treat they vote on, this past week it was chicken wings and non-alcohol beer.

They also went on outing to Hooters for lunch and had a great time. We had no problem finding volunteers to go with them either.

We have had a youth group come in to do activities with the men's group. That too included the birdfeeders and houses that they painted and hung on the many trees at the facility.

Woodcrafting is big with some of our group and then the items are sold to purchase more materials.

Hope this helps....

[fayegirl48 0]

I am an A.D in a new assisted living,i need ideas for mens programming can anybody help?

YOU CAN SIT UP A HAPPY HOUR. YOU GET PRETZELS AND FIX A DRINK FOR THEM IN BEER MUGS OR CHAMPAYNE GLASSES WITH WHIP CREAM AND A CHERRY ON TOP. THEN PUT A FANCY PAPER UMBRELLA IN IT. MY MEN LOVE THIS.

[Guest Guest_Kate]

Every Sunday we watch sports....football, baseball, NASCAR and serve beer and hot dogs.....the men watch the game and the ladies do crafts....just like being at home!

[ForrestGump 0]

Just a quick insert here. I suggest also trying to take them on outings that men love. I just took one of my residents fishing this week, and he caught a few catfish. The fellas also enjoy pitching washers(and Quarters)!! We use the washers in place of pitching quarters, and they have a ball. Lastly, I have noticed that the men also enjoy watching the old sitcoms such as Bonanza, Andy Griffith Show, and the latest addition to ur library that has become evryone's favorite, "The Hee Haw Show". Good Luck with your plans to make those fellers happy.

[partygirl 0]

I agree that men are the most difficult to create programs for-

couple of ideas

fishing was a big seller

mens breakfast(we invited men from another facility to join in as we are adjacent to them)

woodworking and depending on their abilities we had the snap together bird houses, airplanes and cars which they were able to paint later

bocce especially if the men challenge the women

luncheon outings

craps- rolling dice and using play money for betting

horse races-used a roll of paper and drew 4 lanes(depends on width of paper),numbered the paper to 20, cut out horses and named them(used cardboard to reinforce them attached to a wooden block, picked up two soft dice from dollar store, residents roll dice and move their horses in the spaces, first person to reach the end wins

hope some of these ideas help

[Guest Guest]

I am taking a Activity Director's class, we are suppose to do an activity for a grade. I do not work in a facility as a Director or even with one. What I need is a simple activity that will involve some of the other students. This acitivity needs to last about 10 to 15 minute's. I need something out of this world. If any one has any great ideas please feel free to email me at, Spage70236@aol.com Thanks to any one that can help. SPage.

[klyn5 0]

I work as the Site Mgr. in a social model adult day care. I did the activity planning for a number of years before managing the facility, but we're going to be closing out the AD position and I will plan the activities in addition to managing. I've done quite a bit of on-line research for men's activities since I need to provide for the guys daily. I addition to what you folks have already listed, here are some that work for us:

 

1) Monthly visits from one or more of the military recruiters - they bring videos of their marching and promo videos, etc.

 

2) Fire Dept. visits complete with giant truck.

 

3) Kid's science experiments (so they're safe) that are fun for the guys to set up and watch the results.

 

4) I looked up on a site devoted to football and printed off bios of famous players from the past, coaches, teams, etc. - have props: football, decorations and a bloopers tape - also provide non-alcoholic beer, peanuts and pretzels.

 

5) Daily themes for discussions - whatever they retired from - slide shows of different jobs, etc.

 

6) Men's spa day - shoulder rubs, head massages, hot face towels, cologne, newspapers (like the barber shop, except no girly magazines!)

 

7) Tool boxes stuffed full - guys can identify the tools and what they're used for, sparking discussions

 

8) Once or twice a month short field trips in our county to light industrial factories.

 

9) Co-activities with the ladies, such as cutting things out (fabric strips for braided rugs), making something for their wives or kids

 

10) The usual bowling, fishing, golf (we have golf clubs and balls and duct tape plastic cups to the carpet for the "holes"

 

11) Anything with props or other stuff that is as much hands-on as possible

 

12) Exercise with Thera-band flex bars, tai chi, dance music, etc.

 

13) Balloon volleyball, kickball with beach ball, parachute with handles and a ball in the middle for flipping up and down and trying to roll it off onto the people across from you

 

14) Table games: Poker (no money involved), Loteria (Mexican Bingo-call it in Eng. and Sp.), Bango (everyone gets at least 4 cards face up use another deck to "call"-as people's cards are called they turn that card face down. The first one to have all their cards face down wins), etc.

 

I hope this helps - it is a challenge to program for the men, but I'm finding after 11 years of this I'm finally learning to think of thing's from a guy's perspective in addition to using the men's backgrounds to inspire me!

 

7

[Guest Guest_chet]

Help!! We have recently had an increase of men in our rehab department. I need some ideas to engage these men in activities.

 

Thank You,

chet

[Guest cbq]

Each month we have what we call poker run everyone meets in the dining room i have 7 decks of cards i go around to each person and they get to pick a card from each of the 7 decks so everyone has 7 cards then i spread out another deck on the table and draw a card this card is our wild card then who ever has the best hand wins. we also have a pot (money) just like if you were really playing poker since the residents can not put in money i get a cup and go around to the staff and ask for there spare change the day of the game this is the money the winner gets usually theres anywhere from 7 th 10 dollars in it our men really love this some ladies to.

[eflagg 0]

At my nursing home we have a men's club and they play cards, listen to the blues and various other activities. Last month they went to hooters for lunch.

[Guest melaine]

I also have a difficult time getting the men at my facility to participate in group activities. I have tried to have card socials, superbowl parties, world series parties, car shows, and we have even tried to put together model cars. They are just not motivated and we are having a difficult time getting the men involved. We have even tried to get men from local organizations to come in and perform activities. By the way, my staff is all female.

;-)we have also tryed all that we know. I work in a long term care facility an have tryed poker night, movie & popcorn checkers and other men games they dont want to attend.we have even tryed to involve the ed. that didnt even help.

any ideas.

[Guest sarah]

I have had a huge struggle getting my men to participate. All of the men that are able to participate in group activities are very quiet men. I also have a married couple that have to go everywhere together so I cannot get a group of men together without this lady...which leads to others ladies coming.... Has anyone tried a fishing trip? I would really like to do this in the coming up month, but am not for sure how well it would work

[Melete 0]

Coat Hangers

 

you will need ...thin branches.(hardwood)..the FREE kind that fall off trees..thick enough to fit a coat hook through. cut to about 1.5 foot lengths. Be a bit choosy about the wood....pick pieces that are full of character. maybe a bit of a knot in the wood etc..

 

sand paper and lacquer.

 

coat hook.. :-D

 

and some nuts and little leaves of the hard kind for decoration.

 

the men can sand the timber back to a smooth round shape. simple enough for some...difficult for others. one idea is to have the handy man make up a board with two bits of flat wood nailed to it with just enough thickness to hold the branch bit it so it doesnt move around...kind of like a vice.

 

then....lacqer with clear lacqer so the grain shows through. lacqer a couple of times to give it a nice glassy sheen.

 

then....ask the handy man to put a hole in it so that the hook can go in.

 

then..IF you want it to be a communal effort..the women can decorate it with the nuts and leaves..gluing them on.....and then the men can lacqer them again..and WAHLAHHH...!! you have a decorative and useful piece of work ..that validates there is still something that the men can do!....GOOD LUCK!

Edited April 28, 2006 by Melete

[Melete 0]

I have had a huge struggle getting my men to participate. All of the men that are able to participate in group activities are very quiet men. I also have a married couple that have to go everywhere together so I cannot get a group of men together without this lady...which leads to others ladies coming.... Has anyone tried a fishing trip? I would really like to do this in the coming up month, but am not for sure how well it would work

Hi Sarah ..i think a fishing trip is a great idea..and something i have wanted to do for the longest time..but have never found myself in that position of being able to test it out.

 

I think maybe if you had some vnteers or staff to help out it would be great. I have met a lot of opposition when i have mentioned doing this kind of ectivity...

what if they get stabbed with a hook...?? what if they fall into the water etc etc....i think as long as it is well thought out..well planned..and well organised...it would be great for the men who are interested. one up side is...most places don't have that many men so there for it isn't such a HUGE endeavour.

 

as to the getting hooked at fishing etc...and falling into the water...well i think...hmmmm we do cooking activities..and no one has ever chopped a finger off etc....and THAT is because...we..the activity people..think these things through and plan and organise..WHO these activities suit..not everyone is suited to chopping up vegetables..just as not every man is suited to going fishing...good luck..please keep us posted if your men do take that fishing trip!

[Singer68 0]

I have had a huge struggle getting my men to participate. All of the men that are able to participate in group activities are very quiet men. I also have a married couple that have to go everywhere together so I cannot get a group of men together without this lady...which leads to others ladies coming.... Has anyone tried a fishing trip? I would really like to do this in the coming up month, but am not for sure how well it would work

I do a couple of fishing trips a year and everyone loves them. We go to a lake close by that has a dock with safety rails that we can roll residents out on and they sit and fish then we have a picnic. We only take four at a time as we travel in a mininvan :-( so space is limited. I have never had anyone hook themselves or

fall in the water. Just don't forget the sunblock, hats and a first aid kit just in case.

Hve fun!

[Guest Guest]

At our ALF, the Executive Director is a man.....He takes the men out once a month for lunch.....favorite places....Hooters, Mugs & Jugs......of course! :-)

[Guest EMILY]

YOU CAN HAVE POKER NITE, COCKTAIL HOUR( MIX GRAPE JUICE AND SEVEN UP AND IT TASTE LIKE COCKTAILS)there are so many things you can do with the guys.

[Guest Guest]

Hi Rich,

I am a TRD at an all male facility, so everyday is an a men's group day. My guys love to play games of chance (such as poker, bunco, pokeno, high rollers, horse racing, etc), any group where food is served, luncheons, outings to restaurants, casino's, sports events, etc. We also have a huge success with woodshop or metal pressing. Sometimes our guys like to fix broken items such as watches and radios. Try inviting a local celebrity such as the local sports castor or sports columnist to have lunch with you. There is also a group, much like the red hat society called the Romeos (Retired Old Men Eating Out), who wear a red baseball hat emblazoned with the word ROMEO. Their website is www.romeoguys.com A friend in another facility just started this with her men's group and has had a huge success. They do breakfast and the guys are usually waiting at the Activity Room door with their red baseball hats before she gets there at 5 or so in the morning.

Hope this helps.

[Guest Guest_David]

I have found that my level of participation among men varies from region to region. When I worked at an 'internationally recognized' hospital SNF, we got men from all over the world. They were more apt to discuss politics and were generally more open. When I moved to a small hospital SNF that reflected the unique community that it served, the men were largely non-participative, and introverted. Most of these men were of Eastern European decent with thinking very much dictated by their traditional prescribed roles; ie. the quiet, proud, strong hand approach to life.

So with these men I found that religious type activities were effective; since they were expected to be the breadwinners and "priests of their home," so to speak. Also food oriented programs tend to draw a fairly balenced level of particpation, since food is a common language. If your facility doen't already have a lg. screen TV with cable sports channels, that may be in order as a capital purchace. If the budget is strict, then think grants. If the facilty has none, with the administrator's approval (and help!), locate one in the larger community. find out what health care organizations your facility belongs to and see if they have a foundation set up to meet thse types of needs. Hope that helps! Go team!!

DL. Cleveland

[Pennie 26]

Hey All,

I have had Bible Study & Trivia groups with alot of success. Hold a men's Bible Study once weekly. There is a great website that has an outline for the weekly study with trivia. Check it out & give this a try. Bible Study Pennie

[Guest Guest_sonya]

8-) Hey! I think we all have a problem with motivating our men. Try a campout. OK, not as crazy as it sounds. Do it during the day. Pitch a small inexpensive tent (even if you do it inside) have hot dog's, chip's, smores, tell ghost stories or talk of the times of old. You can get sleeping bag's, a cooler, brown paper bag it. You don't actually have to camp out, but you can simulate it. Good luck to us all, and hope this idea has given you some help. You may need to modify a little, I had to because I work in an Alzheimer's specialty facility.

[Guest Guest_Timi]

Hi Rich,

I have two men's groups. One is called Red Suspenders Club (The Red Hat club for men) I also have a men's group called R.O.M.E.O "Retired Old Men Eat Out" we meet once a month at a local eatery.

[Guest Guest_Pennie]

I just finished reading a book about the Red Hat Society. It was a great book. In it they mention a club for men. It is called Plaid Flannel Shirt Society. It is a club just fo men. It is a spin off of the Red Hat, men are to dress of course in plaid shirts, house shoes very causal. There are no rules except that it is for men only & to have fun. I did a search on the internet & came up with a link from Day Care Service by Louise Whitney. I was unable to find the one spoken about in the book. However Louise has already set this up so check it out. You just might be able to use this in your facility. Men's Plaid Flannel Shirt Society