heavenstar 0 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 I work in Independent Living and have very little participation for the number of residents. I would guess about 75 out of 380 participate on our bigger functions. I would like to have a dance of some kind along with a buffet and live music, but need a theme. The residents will not give me any clue as to what they would like. I don't want to repeat a theme either, so in the past, We had a masquerade ball, senior prom, big band 40's theme and a luau. The masquerade was probably the best turn-out, although getting them to make a mask was a nightmare! Just about everyone here is from another country--mostly Russian and Chinese, and a cultural theme or language is always a problem! For example, I tried to throw a Superbowl party and had NO ONE!!! Same thing with a Mardi-Gras Party! Help!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennie 26 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 Hi, Have you tried to have a party related to the customs, holidays related to residents culture? You seem to have tried the American holidays so maybe if you found out how the Chiense celebrated Spring. The next time do a Russian thems. How about you get a few of your more alert res. involved with helping you plan this event. If you seem to have no luck this way call upon fami;y members to help you out. Once you have them involved they in turn will drag their loved one (res) into helping & make alot of lot noise about this celcbration. Build it up several weeks in advance & especially few days before. Also making res. curious about it by giving them some info but also adding a little mystery will have even the most recultant want to attend. Letting them res/family members be a major part of the planning may have a bigger impact on your attendance. Do you send out a newsletter? If so ask for family members, community, volunteers etc help any suggestions/help. Let us know how this goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaineyBeth 0 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 Hey-- I'm also a coordinator in an IL. Thankfully I only have 200 residents to myself! I can't fathom planning for 380!!! I really liked Pennie's suggestions. To add--have you gone to your resident council? Or better yet--do you have an activities/entertainment committee? I get lots of my best ideas directly from the residents themselves! Also, with the languague barriers, do you print your calendar/signs in other languages? Maybe communication is a problem! Also, have you tried different times or days of the week! A lot of times I will put something at a bad time for residents (like scheduling ANYTHING on senior discount days at the grocery store! LOL!) IL is a wonderful and rewarding place to be, but sometimes (for me at least!) its hard to remember that these people still have real, meaningful, and FULL lives! They don't always have time to come to a party or play a game! (but since I planned it they should make time--right?) Smiles--anyway, I guess the point I'm trying to make is keep your chin up! 75 is still a big crowd! Good luck! --LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavenstar 0 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 Thanks guys! I have been afraid in the past to have a party that dealt with thier culture--because I really don't know anything about it, and reading and researching isn't always the way to get a clear picture! But I could always ask the residents to plan and put it together and I could just help out. Although, I have tried in the past to do something for Chinese New Year---but the residents told me they didn't want a chinese party because they are americans now, and the chinese community center couldn't help me either. so i didn't want to show favoritism by only doing one culture's party, but maybe that will get them motivated. We do have a newsletter (in one language only) but the Chinese translates it and puts the chinese version on the bulletin board and the Russians have a Russian Club where they can have it translated there. They ask for the newsletter to be translated when we run copies, but my boss has always said no (and I agree!) Almost everyone goes to an English Class where they could get help to, so I don't see why I should make twice the work for myself when they have several resources. Needless to say, this is a very frustrating situation for me, but it is also exciting and never boring--which is why I am still here after 4 years! ha ha. Thanks a lot for your advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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