Activities for the elderly

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2014

Do you have any ideas of what you might want to do? What do you like?

ggau0010 · Apr 23, 2014

I was thinking to do a memory box..

Needles McGee, RN · Apr 23, 2014

What sort of activity? Crafts, bingo, trivia challenges...just any sort of activity? Is it a teaching activity? Is there an activity dept. at this facility? Perhaps ask one if the activity staff? I'm confused as to why this is what your final consists of...?

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2014

Memory box sounds great and very cool however the majority of residents that are in nursing homes have dementia of some sort. I'm not sure what a memory box is but maybe even they could participate in it.

We had a student do a project at our facilty and she did...I Love Lucy....where she brought in videos for them to watch and fresh fruit. The student did this over a period if a few weeks though...like every weekend for a month.

You could do something for the ladies and paint their nails, or have a few games of scrabble or cards or do an acting skit. Depends what you like to do. If a memory box is having picture or articles of the past that you pull out and talk about that would be neat for the residents that could participate.

Best wishes to you I pray your project is a success!:thumbup:

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Apr 23, 2014

Activities need to be meaningful for the resident. So while Mrs. Jones might love to play BINGO, Mrs. Smith who has a Master's Degree in English might not. Ask the resident what they want to do and go from there.

amoLucia · Apr 25, 2014

That age group seems to like big-band music. Maybe some sing-alongs with upbeat tunes (Andrew sisters is a good choice.)

Some kind of refreshment is always welcome but you'd have to closely coordinate it with the facility.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2014

I would ask the activities director what they typically offer and see if you can think of something different.

lauriepat, ASN, RN · Apr 30, 2014

Maybe hymns, one of my residents plays piano. if your residents have dementia you could do a "happy hour" tomato juice and celery for bloody marys, non alcoholic beers.. Painting, jewelry making. All depending on cognitive level and level of functioning.