Ideas to get our residents active and moving

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I have just started working in an ALF and since we do not have an activity employee, I would like to have some ideas to keep our residents active. Some of our residents use wheelchairs and walkers. I have been trying to keep them from isolating and just sitting in their rooms just watching television.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

OklaLPN

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I would ask the residents about their interests, but some ideas off the top of my head:

BINGO or card games

Music for dancing or sing along

Contact local service groups to come in to assist with activites

Cooking

Movie night--rent some old classics

Gardening

exercise, yoga, tai chi

Is there a local college that offers gerentology courses? Maybe students could help for course credit.

Shopping exursions

Good for you, and Good Luck!

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I have just started working in an ALF and since we do not have an activity employee, I would like to have some ideas to keep our residents active. Some of our residents use wheelchairs and walkers. I have been trying to keep them from isolating and just sitting in their rooms just watching television.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

OklaLPN

Contact local colleges with HOSA or nursing programs and ask them for students to come as part of their "clinicals" involving rehabilitation

You can also contact a local beauty college and have them come in and do free cuts and or hairstyles for the ladies (Most instructors are GREAT to do this free of charge)

You can contact the local humane society and ask for puppies or dogs to come in and interact with the seniors

Also local churches might want to get their youth involved.

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Get a big beach ball and a tarp-like blanket. Arrange the residents in a circle and waft the ball around. They love it.

And as has been said, bingo. Get the most A&O to be the caller if s/he is willing. Most folks won't have to concentration to do more than 2 cards at once. Board games are too tough.

Again, MUSIC. I was dancing at my tx cart ystdy while pulling on gloves when my admin walked by and broke into a big grin. The resident get a kick out of watching anyone dance - two lousy dancers will get applause and declarations that they should be on TV.

Ystdy someone had the most adorable 3-mo-old pug puppy. She let me take her through the dining room where the res. were waiting for lunch as I called, "Puppy kisses! Who wants puppy kisses?" The least responsive giggled at this little girl licking their faces.

Bring a baby to visit. Let people pat - not hold - the baby.

Visitors.

Good luck. I hope you come up with some decent solutions from all of this.

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Specializes in 27 yrs in long term care, 5 yrs office.

Our scout troops also had planned visits to facilities, they would each have a game, cards/checkers/chinese checkers, etc. and sit with a few people at different tables then switch. Also the church groups are good, for sing alongs and that sort of thing., (so many good ideas already) The cooking also, make cookies, then have coffee break, or fix special event dinners. (thanksgiving meals,picnic).

Good luck, sounds like a fun time.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

The beach ball idea is good for demented people but I'm not sure alert, oriented people would jump at the chance to do that. How about a chorus? Get 'em singing and breathing and they'll feel better. Love the hair and nails idea from a local beauty college. How about visits from a Daisy or Brownie troup?

BINGO...I offered to take a patient to the BINGO game one day. She looked at me with great disdain as she said, "My dear, I am 97 years old and never once played BINGO and I do not intend to start playing now. Besides which, I am an Episcopalian and everyone knows BINGO is for those Catholics!!"

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Thanks so much for the ideas. Just so many great ones...can't wait to get started. I appreciate all of the input.

Thanks,

OklaLPN

P.S. Sue, I have been caught more than once, like you, dancing at my tx cart, to a song on the radio. I win the prize for the worst dancer!!!

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another person that might be happy to come in is your local Avon or Mary Kay lady... often they'll do makeovers or just apply a pretty face- they're not all about making the sale- we have 2 wonderful ladies that come to one of our SNF's and do make-up, nails, and they don't even bring the sales "stuff".

might be able to do that more often than haircuts :o)

if the residents are pretty high-level, cognitively, a book club can be fun. cooking activities are great, too. i guess just think about what you'd like to do, yourself!

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BINGO...I offered to take a patient to the BINGO game one day. She looked at me with great disdain as she said, "My dear, I am 97 years old and never once played BINGO and I do not intend to start playing now. Besides which, I am an Episcopalian and everyone knows BINGO is for those Catholics!!"

Thanks. I just snorted coffee out of my nose.

:D

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P.S. Sue, I have been caught more than once, like you, dancing at my tx cart, to a song on the radio. I win the prize for the worst dancer!!!

Hey, you have one life and standing there at the med cart you're right in the middle of it. Might as well dance. That's what I figure, anyway.

:)

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