Need name for a new group

[heavenstar 0]

Hi guys. In case you don't know, I work for a HUD low income apartment complex for the elderly. Very similar to independent living--although we can't call it that. Many residents here are lower functioning ( although they do not qualify for nursing home care) and get along just fine with help of caregivers. Also, 95% of the residents speak either Russian or Chinese.

 

With that being said, all of my activities must be open to all residents. We have a group of residents that make up our program committee (anyone can attend and give input) that decide what activities and events to do the next month. Of course the only residents who attend are those who are very involved and active and therefore, that is all our programs consist of.

 

Now, with all that, here is my question:

 

I want to start a group that appeals to those who are lower functioning, not able to actively participate in our regular activities, but still have the desire to do things. I need to market this so that the active people will know it is not for them, although I can't say that or deny them from participating. I need a name for the group and key words to throw in to market it.

 

I want the group to consist of many different things-- meeting once a week and doing bingo on a lower level, armchair travels, brain games, crafts, cooking, etc.

 

I am not allowed to go apartment to apartment asking people to be in the group and I have to advertise it in the newsletter and it must say open to everyone. It is all in the wording-- and that is where I need your help!

 

Thanks!

Angie

[themusiclady 1]

wow, your hands are really tied! Do you speak Russian and Chinese too?

 

I met a lady recently from Houston Chinese Society, she was a lovely social worker.

 

Most of my groups are mixed ability groups, with very little problem, there *is* a knack to managing a larger mixed group, it's like it functions on several levels simultaneously and I have to pay a lot of attention so I turn the piano towards the group, work from memory and make sure I can see everyone, get up and do little things to include and respond to everyone.

 

What about 'Basic Breakfast' or 'Basic Brunch', or 'Bingo Breakfast' etc;

maybe the active people can be servers/callers if they choose to attend- as you say you can't exclude anyone. And it's good for people to have useful roles.

 

I'm in Houston too, you are welcome to email me and maybe I can provide some entertainment some time, I do two gratis performances a month for not-for-profit or low income groups mail@tracypace.com

 

~Tracy

[heavenstar 0]

Great! Thanks-- I will definitely email you soon!

[yunakitty 2]

I think if the higher functioning people insist on attending, they'll figure out rather quickly that it's below their level. I find that with my activities. I have art for my skilled nursing residents, and there is this one gentleman in Assisted living who will always jump in a group if he sees it going on. After being bored by the very low skill activity, he left and didn't come to that again.

 

It's better than having nurses bringing low functioning people into higher functioning activities and parking them there! At least the higher functioning people will figure it out. And who knows? They might enjoy the slower pace for once. I love the idea of having them help call or even be a "watcher" to sit beside someone who has slow reflexes. I have a few post stroke who are like that - I'll call a number, and I'm already calling the next one, and I see their hand start to move to the last one! But if I don't keep calling quickly, the other residents get bored and restless. So I try to put people who are always wanting to help next to those people, because they'll catch on that the person is having trouble, and they'll point out or cover up numbers for them. That way the game can keep a quick pace.