Activities to do with residents?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hi I am a 4th year student working in a long-term mental health setting this semester...My preceptor wants me to work/interact with the residents more for the rest of the semester but I'm struggling for ideas/things to do with them since the facility already has an activity worker. Does anyone have ideas for activities I can organize or do one-on-one with residents? Any other resources would be really appreciated :)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

1. The LOLs (little old ladies) usually love to get their nails painted.

2. Exercise or 'Jazzercise' classes (even though half of your residents will be in wheelchairs, they'll be raising their hands and enjoying the music).

3. Ice cream socials (be sure to have no-added-sugar ice cream for the diabetics).

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Funny. I ought this was a thread on how to keep young doctors busy.

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

The Commuter made some great suggestions!

Here are a few activities I have found that are a hit as well:

-A spa day for the ladies.

-Since it is football season the men could watch a ball game and have refreshments.

-If you have large beads on hand ladies love to make bracelets and necklaces. This is great for fine motor control exercises.

-You could have an art contest and display the art throughout the home.

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Specializes in Aged care, disability, community.

We have happy hour on a Friday. We have beer, wine and soft drink along with nibblies and entertainment. It's probably the most popular activity we have. We do nail care on all the residents.If I have time I might give a gentleman a proper shave with the hot towels and everything.Getting legs moisturised is another popular one also.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

What kind of budget do you have to work with? Karaoke machines are pretty cheap to rent. Have karaoke and sparkling cider in plastic champagne glasses. Also you can rent a Wii & some pretty cool games that can be played group style. I brought my Wii to my mom's assisted living place for an afternoon and the residents had such a blast doing bowling, boxing and baseball the facility ended up buying one!

I don't know what kind of mental health issues your residents have but I don't imagine food-related projects or a happy hour with booze are really good options.

The holidays are coming up, you could also gather some donations of items (or buy stuff, again depending in your budget) and do an afternoon of putting together gift baskets for homeless/sick/deployed people. Dudes could make dude baskets, women can make girly baskets and everyone can make ones for little kids. That is fun and will take everyone's mind off themselves for a few hours.

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We do lots of different activities but I haven't found yet anything that could top the Lawrence Welk hour. It seems to perk up everyone!

Hi I am a 4th year student working in a long-term mental health setting this semester...My preceptor wants me to work/interact with the residents more for the rest of the semester but I'm struggling for ideas/things to do with them since the facility already has an activity worker. Does anyone have ideas for activities I can organize or do one-on-one with residents? Any other resources would be really appreciated :)
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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

Sing -a -longs and trivia,the ubiquitous bingo (we have one that is pics of animals instead of numbers-it's great for our dementia folks)

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play cards or a board game

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Bingo? Movies?

Trivial Pursuit ( with easy questions)

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