New here, could use some suggestions!

[ADinNY512 0]

Hi! My name is Andrea, I worked as assistant to the acitvity director in a 120 bed nursing home for almost 2yrs, in March was offered an Activity Director job at a 46 bed assisted living facility which is where I am now. Residents are much more independent, mostly psychiatric. Also, I have no other staff in the department, just me. Thanks!

[yunakitty 2]

Well, I don't know if there is anything in particular you need help with or just random suggestions, so I'll just go with random!

 

My assisted living residents really love "Happy Hour" which is on Monday evenings at 5:15 (dinner is at 6pm.) I get a big bottle of white zinfandel from the kitchen, a tray of cheese, crackers and fruit, as well as some sodas for the non drinkers. That is probably their fave activity of the week. They love socializing and snacking. I try to keep the conversation going if it stalls, asking people about their colleges, where they grew up, etc. Everyone loves to talk about themselves!

 

Also, we have Walking Club every day at 10 am. I have 4 people that always participate in this every day. I follow it with an exercise class three days a week.

 

We have bingo three days a week, we do arts and crafts once or twice a week. I have found that they like stuff with a purpose much better than just painting paper - ie, painting small flowerpots, little wooden boxes (you can get these for $1 at Michael's) or even painting cut out wooden shapes that I then hot glue to thumbtacks and stick on my bulletin board.

[rose 0]

Hello Andrea,I am not sure if this is the information you were looking for but here are some ideas for activities that I use in my program. I alternate each week between having an ice cream social (sugar-free),something that they usually don't get treated with;banana splits, rootbeer floats, or some sort of novelity ice cream.Also a tea social; flavored tea that is not offered in the dining room with some fancy tea cookies. We have at least one outing a week;the local zoo, out for lunch at a restaraunt, or go to a museum and pack some lunch sacks for those that don't have extra money for lunch outings.

Edited May 28, 2009 by rose

[LisaT 0]

Hi Andrea. Congratulations on your promotion. You will love your job. Here's what we are doing in June, hope this helps. We are going to a local restaurant to Eat. We are having a Father's day BBQ. The men invite their families to come join them. A local farm will bring in their mini horses for a visit. Our children's committee is planning a pet show for children to parade their pets and be judged for prizes. We have a locked alzheimers unit as well they will enjoy outside walks and games. They have a new large golf set to play with for spring. We cook for sensory. I just found a recipe for pinacolada parfaits. You use plain yogurt, add pineapple, and toasted coconut for a sweet treat. The alzheimers patients are good at cutting up canned fruit with plastic knives. They will cut up the pineapple and add it to their parfaits. I hope you have a fun June.

[eileen 0]

Hi Andrea,

I am also new to this. I know we do a coffee social and we do Front porch trivia. We get a group of 4-8 people and go outside. Weather permitting of course and I ask them question about a place and they try to guess where I am talking about. Say I pick India one week I will type up a bunch of clues and ask them questions about the Country. It takes a little while but it gets them thinking and I would like to start making food to go with the Country. Like if I pick France I could make crepes and serve them a snack with the Trivia. Just an idea.