Exercise - participation, music, products

[Guest Lawrence]

Hey all, I work as the AD in a 197 bed facility for the mentally ill. My main problem is that a lot of residents go out to workshops during the day and come back around 2 in the afternoon, which is about party/social/shopping times so exercise doesn't work. Trying to come with new ideas and maybe new active games that can be used as exercises for those who are there during day....my age range is 18-95, so becomes tough at times.....

[Guest Tinki]

Try exercise early in the morning or right before dinner.

 

Try Tai Chi or Balloon Volleyball.

[Guest lawrence]

Already do tai chi, planning to set up a volleyball net in the next few weeks, but going to move the time from 10:45 to 9:30 not to interfere with Price Is Right.....

[Wilkesrose 0]

Hi, Lawrence! I lead 2 exercise groups a day----one for the Traditional Living guests and one for the Special Care Unit (Alzheimer's Quarters). When I first started the program, attendance was minimal. Here's what I did: I stopped calling it exercise----now we "Sit and Be Fit". I also had the guests make their own exercise equipment: plastic eggs with a few beans and taped securely----do an arm circles routine or play some kind of "Shake" music with the guests keeping the beat with the bean filled eggs; tambourines: red plastic plates with holes punched around the perimeter of the plate, and then we attached ribbons and bells. The exercise routine is performed while listening to marching music. The guests remain in their chairs if they can't or don't want to stand. We start out slowly with deep breathing and stretching for 10 minutes then move into a stepped up pace of walking in place, followed by a series of movements that mimic daily chore movements---we rake leaves, scrub the tub, wash windows, etc., then we do the marching routine with the tambourines, followed by a cool down. I now have excellent attendance, and some of them actually show up without being coerced! LOL They love the movement of the ribbons and the sound of the bells. I always make sure to ask them if they want a drink of water before we get started, and then I always end the session with a glass of ice water, served from a colorful round serving tray, and morning chit chat. I always end the session with a round of thank yous and hope to see you at such and such (event) at (time) today. I am relatively new to the world of Activity Director so I'm still learning things that most veteran AD's already know! LOL Sorry I'm so long-winded this evening! :-D

[Guest Guest_Karen]

Never interfere with the Price is Right! :-o

[StacieO 0]

And never interfere w/ Wheel of Fortune!

 

I love the exercise suggestions, I will be sharing them w/ our Rehab Nurse, she & I work together on many programs.

[RebeccaM 0]

This sounds tough for you! At my retirement facility you don't mess with exercise!

 

It is the most popular program of them all. I run an early morning exercise 2X weekly and 3X weekly we have a physiotherapist take them through a regime.

 

I wish I could have the turn out that our physiotherapist has. Our residents will miss special outings and events because they really want to be at exercise.

 

I find afternoons aren't great if you are looking to reach as many people as possible. Can you do an exercise session before they head out to day trips?

 

Perhaps you could schedule a late afternoon walk into your calendar for those returning from day programs - weather permitting:) ?

[Guest Guest]

I have found that exercise group is much more successful with props. We have tons of things on hand such as batons, pool noodles, ribbon wands, tai chi balls, theraband, 2lb. weights, bean bags, etc.. We also try themed exercise groups i.e. participants use pom poms during football season, American flags for Memorial Day/Flag Day/etc, egg shakers at Easter time, spring pimwheels. During May we will use checkered flags noting NASCAR is popular here. I purchase alot of our exercise supplies from Oriental Trading, the quality isn't great but the items are so cheap that when residents want to keep the items it is not a big deal.

[Tishanne 0]

I find that our residents are the best PR that I have for the morning exercise! They talk over dominoes and meals about how they have read in one magazine or another about the "best way to fight arthritis" (or whatever ailment of the day...) is to keep moving and exercise. They talk amongst themselves and bring their friends with them to the program! I like the idea of themed exercise programs and using tools but our best exercise time is the one that is routine and they are all familiar with how it goes (following a taped recording.) We have another tape that we call "Advanced Exercise" where we use cut PVC pipe about 30 inches long to stretch overhead and side to side. The residents seem to enjoy following along a tape rather than me making up routines to music. The whole thing only lasts 15 minutes, which is also a plus!

[lydiajane 0]

I work in an Adult Day Center, with all levels of care for the participants. We exercise twice a day, in the morning we do a 20 minute improv stretch (which is good for me too) and sometimes use therabands. For the afternoon exercise we do a more active ball toss/balloon toss or seated horse shoes. The participants are getting bored. Any ideas on ways to switch it up?

 

What do you do? We have tried tapes and videos-The participants will not follow, they need staff leading the way.

Any ideas would help!

Thanks

[Guest Tinki]

I use Light in Lively from www.melodyhouse.com. It is a cassette tape that the leader does with the residents. The tape has the music and a leader on it that helps count and tell you what exercises to do!

 

When use a video or tape the leader must stay in front of the group and demostrate the exericses along with the video or tape. You are the leader and motivator, you cheer them on and wake them up. I have used many tapes in the past, the tapes are really for me to have a routine to go by and music.

 

Karen

[mayadeaundre 0]

HELLO, I AM THE AD AT AN CCRC AND WE DO EXERCISE ONCE A WEEK AND WE USE SITTERCISE IT SOUNDS WERID BUT WE ALL HAVE A GREAT TIME DOING IT. WE ALSO STRETCH EVERYDAY AFTER OUR MORNING ACTIVITY.

[martiniques_mommy 1]

Have you tried using scarves or a parachute? As mentioned before there are many good exercise programs on cassette as well as video. To liven my exercise program, I get the residents at my facilitiy to suggest an exercise for all to do. (Of course within moderation).

[wonytineres 0]

We always use props with exercise, many of the props we use are nontraditional- variety is key. Examples of things we use- glitter batons, pom poms, kanoodles (the floaty things for swim pools) which maintenance cut in half for us, the usual bean bags, parachute,different colored balls, ribbon wands, etc. We also use colored fans, assorted hats, light weight 2 lb. weights, therabands, etc. We just ordered a set of fitness dice which the residents love- the dice are large, about 2 ft. by 2 ft., one of the dice has numbers on all sides, the other dice has assorted exercises written on each side i.e. ankle circles, knee lifts, raise arms above head- the residents roll the number dice for how many times they do the exercise and the movement dice to get the exercise. We also use varied music, however in our health center we always play the same song to start the group. The residents have gotten to the point that they know when they hear 'Oh What A Beautiful Morning' it is time for exercise!

[Guest Tinki]

Wonytineres,

 

Those are great ideas! I love the props!

 

karen

[StacieO 0]

We use the Fitness Dice here & our resident's love it! We take turns tossing the dice! They also enjoy any sit-down dancing video or wheelchair aerobics. Another fun one is volleyball. We use a net tied to two stands (this is about waist high to the staff person) & use a beach ball as our volleyball. Then we divide into two teams & all enjoy this. (Especially when we turn on the beach boys music.)

[Diana 0]

All great ideas!

 

Figure out what special holidays/ occasions are coming up and fashion the movements after that. Ideas would be : August is hula month - teach them to hula! it is a blast! Fall coming up, teach them to rake the leaves (low stretches side to side), pick apples (reaching up to sky).

 

The scarves are a GREAT idea and so is the parachute.

 

Have you tried Top 5? Grab a large ball (any light type will do) and put numbers (large) on the ball. Have the residents catch it and hold it. Whatever number their thumb lands on, go to a list (you make it up beforehand) and make them list the Top 5 of whatever is on that list - top 5 holidays, colors, cars, states, vacations, food, desserts, drinks - you get the idea.

[wonytineres 0]

Never tried the Top 5 game, but sounds fun. We have version of this though, we have a game ball with 'I Like' written on it in large permanent marker. We pick a topic for the game i.e. food, ball is tossed and the resident who catches it has to name there favorite food. This group has always been successful, even on our Memory Unit.

[Kristin92781 0]

Sometimes we use the long ribbons on the sticks--our Residents love those!

[mamaweg 0]

This is a fun one

 

Clap your hands and stomp your feet

Get on with the 'facility' beat.

Reach you hands up to the skies

Turn and look you neighbor in the eye.

Put your arms over and touch each ear

Wiggle your bottom to get it into gear.

One leg up and the other leg down

Then move your arms like you're going to town.

Flap your arms like a bird in wing

See you can do most anything

Now reach on over and shake your neighbors hand

Then bow from the waist as you know you can.

Pound the table to get your meal, to let the

kitchen know just how you feel.

 

Hands on your hips, hands on your knees,

Put them behind you if you please.

Touch your shoulders, touch your nose,

Touch your ear touch your toes.

Raise your hands high in the air

At your sides, on your hair.

Raise you hands as before,

While you clap 1234.

My hands upon my head I place,

On my shoulders, on my face.

Then I raise them up on high,

And make my fingers quickly fly.

Then I put them in front of me,

and gently clap 123.

 

Turn you head first to the right,

Make a fist and fight, fight, fight.

Turn your head the other way,

Make your body swing and sway.

Make your arms go round and round,

Touch your shoulders, they can be found.

Put your right arm way way out,

Put your left one way out too,

Pull back and forth

The best you can do.

Reach over to the side, way up high,

To the other side, and back up high

Mak your feet march along,

Kick your legs to make them strong.

Put your head up and down

Roll your head up and down

Roll your left to right

Makde your eyes look side to side

Then close your eyes cause the lights to bright.

 

Open your eyes and stretch and yawn,

Start the mower and mow the lawn

Walk your butt in your chair

Now walk as though you're a old black bear.

Wiggle all your fingers, then wiggle your nois,

Wiggle your butt, wiggle your toes.

Make your ankles go round and round.

Tap your toes and bounce your feet

Tighten your stomach muscles nice and neat,

Lift your feet up off the floor

Reach on over and open the door.

 

Look over your shoulder, look up and down.

Make your face do a big, big frown.

Clap your hands back and forth

Turn and smile at your neighbor to the North.

Pitch some hay and milk the cow,

Sweep the floor real clean right now.

Sake the rug, clean the dust,

Wash the clothes, it is a must.

Raise the flag, blow a balloon,

Play a trombone at the crack of noon.

Swat the flies and hammer a nail

Row the boat, then raise the sail.

Type a letter, ride your bike

You can do that better.

 

Smile real big, be real mad

We're all done so don't be sad.

[StacieO 0]

I am LOL!

 

I loved that, copied, printed it, we're using it next week!

[Guest Guest_Dawn]

Try some up beat music like latin or some thing with a great upbeat tune and have a rhymth exercise

[Miguel 4]

My Skilled Nursing Residents work out every morning! my exercise programs are liket his

 

Monday-Wednesday- Friday- Weight Training- We do a 30 minute work out with a 15 minutes weight lifting (old sparkletts water bottles wiht various food colors, glues dhut.

Tuesday- Thursday is morning stretch to some very upbeat music!

Saturday & Sunday is ball balloon Toss.

-Miguel

[ForrestGump 0]

Hi Lydia,

 

I once studies Martial Arts forms very heavily, and of course, never did it occur to me that it would benefit the elderly residents whom I am associated with, until I introduced them to Tai-Chi. It is an Easy Form, or Exercise per say, and there are so many things you can do to variate it to their liking on a daily basis. All of my residents truly enjoy it when they see Tai-Chi written on the calendar. You can purchase books to give you an Idea, but come up with your own little routines to suit the folks. I have adjusted a few of the movements to help the residents do them more easily in their chairs, incorporated more breathing meditation type exercises, or just listened to them, and they have actually shown me what they enjoy when it comes to what they percive as "Exercise".!! Good Luck to you.

 

 

Wendell Greenleaf

500 John Aldridge Dr.

Sunbridge Shoals

Tuscumbia, Al. 25674

[angelajoy 0]

I work in an Adult Day Center, with all levels of care for the participants. We exercise twice a day, in the morning we do a 20 minute improv stretch (which is good for me too) and sometimes use therabands. For the afternoon exercise we do a more active ball toss/balloon toss or seated horse shoes. The participants are getting bored. Any ideas on ways to switch it up?

 

What do you do? We have tried tapes and videos-The participants will not follow, they need staff leading the way.

Any ideas would help!

Thanks

It's all in the music you choose.

I'm an Acitivities Director in an Alzheimer Unit & my groups favorite exercise tune is Sharped Dressed Man by ZZ Top & we crank up the voume. They love it and they don't get bored.