Blanket Names

Spend a short amount of time introducing everyone in the group.

via

Separate the players into two teams.  Have each team form one line.  Each team chooses one player and does not reveal whom they chose.  One person from each team volunteers to hold up a blanket between the two teams.  The chosen players face the blanket directly.

The players who are holding the blanket should drop the blanket.  The first player to name the person they are facing correctly wins.  The other player is out.  

Continue selecting players to represent each team and naming them until an entire team is out.

Random Words

Prepare a list of random words ahead of time.

via

One person will go at a time.  Have that patient close his eyes and point to a word on the list.  Patient will then open his eyes and tell of an experience or memory they have in connection to this word.  Have each person go a few time.

Talk about the importance of boundaries and how we should be aware of what information we share with others.

This is a great activity for the geriatric unit because they love to reminisce.

Group Rock, Paper, Scissors

Submitted here by Jessica Hohenberger, CTRS of Hawthorn Center on February 21, 2003

Size: 6+

Equipment: large area for running

Objective: provide opportunites for good sportsmanship, team work and group cooperation

Description: Have group sit in a circle and group leader will ask who knows how to play rock paper scissors? Ask an individual to visually demonstrate to the group the objectives of the game. After sample rounds between leader and volunteer ask group to identify which player "won" each round to be sure everyone understands. Divide group into 2 equal groups and explain that they will choose a collective group signal. They will return to center of room and line up across from the other team. Be sure that they are standing about an arms length apart from the people on their sides and one step apart from the person in front of them. On the count of "rock, paper, scissors" each team will flash their signal. Depending on the outcome of the encounter, participants must attempt to capture opposing team members using a light tag (if they win) or retreat to their safe zone (if they lose). Be sure to review this process carefully with participants as it can be confusing. Game ends when one team successfully captures all members of the opposing team.

via

Mindfulness

This handout is also from Pinterest!  Enjoy!

via

Spa Day

via

submitted here by Celeste K. T. Brooks of Washington Center for Aging Services on November 21, 2000

Size: Varies

Equipment: Tables(round is best), Aroma therapy products (bath gels, lotions,all should be allergy-free) , Manicure items, Hair products, finger bowls, sprays, Large container of hot water, small containers of ice water, Video tapes,TV:VCR set up, Stereo system,CD's, Audio tapes, LOTS OF STAFF: manicurists, cosmetologists, hairstylists, massage therapist, reflexologist or a lot of volunteers who can serve in these functions.

Objective:

To relax the residents
To increase socialization
To increase level of self esteem
To provide a variety of sensory stimulation
To increase levels of participation
To increase residents' quality of life
To have fun

Description: Have the room filled with relaxing sights, music and scents before the residents arrive. Have at least four stations with different activities (manicures, facials, hair styles, hand massages, etc.). Invite your residents in. Make sure that you have presented each resident with each station (or with as many as they will tolerate). Introduce the residents sitting at the same table to each other. (You should hear some of the conversations that come up, it's like sitting in the beauty parlor) Provide the services! This activity usually takes 2-3 hours. Make sure that you keep the music playing and the scents flowing. Our male residents enjoy it as much as the females. We purchase products especially for the men and they like to sit and watch their girl friends get dolled up!. We implement this event in a large group setting maybe three times a year. We have smaller versions of SPA DAY on the units in the solariums or as individual sessions in the resident's rooms. One of our residents always comes to this event in her wheelchair (she is blind and very hard of hearing). However, after she has received "the works" she struts not walks to her unit guided by her ANA. Many of our volunteers are staff members from other departments, who give maybe 20 minutes of their time to help. However, make sure that all of your stations are manned by people who can remain there throughout the entire activity.

Gemstone Art Activity

via

Talk about the different birthstones for each month and the healing properties of the various gemstones. 

Have each patient draw/paint/sculpt/create their own gemstone.  What does it look like?  How come they decided to make it look that way?

Afterwards, discuss what healing properties their gemstone would have and why those particular healing properties are important to them.

Self Care Card

This just popped up on my Pinterest feed and I couldn't wait to share it for a Friday handout!

via

Trust Circle

Size of Group: 8 to 10

Discussion: Open group with discussion on trust, how long it takes for one to trust another, how long it takes to lose trust in another, and what specific words or behaviors one must take in order to establish trust with others.

Activity: Form a circle with the participant's shoulders touching. Have a volunteer or yourself stand in the middle with their arms crossed and legs straight and stiff. Those forming the circle must stand with one leg forward and the other backward with their knees bent. Their hands must also be in a ready position to catch the person in the middle from falling.

The group may develop a list of rules or behaviors that will not be permitted in the group (ex, no hard pushes, no fooling around, keep hands up and eyes focused). Also a list of positive expected behaviors (ex, you're doing good, stay focused, good job) can be generated.

When the group is ready, and when the person in the middle is ready, instruct the middle person to fall. Others catch the person and gently guide them back to the center of the circle. Its important that people adjacent to each other help each other out ("at least 4 to 6 hands on the falling person").

If the middle individual is scared, bring the group closer. Once comfortable, the group can move a step back. For a "kool" experience, the "faller" may do this activity with their eyes closed.

Safety: REINFORCE SAFE BEHAVIOR and trust building behavior. If participants engage in unsafe behavior or behavior promoting distrust, stop the group immediately and process such behavior.

PROCESS: Discuss feelings felt by the falling individuals. Were they scared? Did they trust the group? What things did group members do that reinforced feelings and thoughts of trust? What things did group members do that generated feelings and thoughts of mistrust? What are things we can do in our lives to generate feelings of trust in others? What have you done in your live that generated trust/mistrust?

via

Found here

Brain Chemicals Handout

Found this on Pinterest...super interesting!

via

Rice or Fruit Grab

Submitted here by Vivian Middleton on of Lampasas Nursing & Rehab April 26, 2004

Size: 10+ can be played in teams or 1 on 1

Equipment: 10lbs. rice , 2 dishpans, 2 blindfolds, 20 small objects (balls, quarters, med. caps). You can also use this with fruit by mixing the fruit and have the pick as many of one fruit as possible

Objective: sensory, hand and arm movement
using the fruit will stimulate smell also

Description: mix 5 lbs rice and 10 objects in each pan. Have two people from the group blindfolded tell them. They each have 1 min. to locate as many objects in the rice as they can. The one with the most when time is called wins.

via

Lend a Fish

Found this activity here.

via

submitted by Nancy Hahn of Sidney Square Care Center Pgh PA on Thursday, June 14, 2001

Size: Individual

Equipment: Small plastic or acrylic fishbowls, water, Beta or goldfish, fish food, film canisters, a spray of water greens if desired

Objective: A Relaxation technique,an anti-anxiety aide,a self-esteem enhancer

Description: Place a single fish in a bowl. Very inexpensive bowls often even with lids,are available in pet shops. These fish can be left in viewing distance of patients,or in the rooms of other residents for a few days or up to a week. They are fascinating to watch, and require little care. I have found them especially effective with vent patients who often are so intent on their next breath, that they have a high level of anxiety or just can't relax. We break a spray of greens into very small pieces and put a sprig in each bowl. It is best to use colorful or high definition fish. A few colorful pebbles are nice in the bottom, but not necessary. We use bottled water for our bowls, avoiding the additives needed for tap water. These have become very popular at our facility, we even have family member request them, and residents have certain favorites. If anyone has questions I can be reached at bunnyhopping@yahoo.com\\

Sensory Hands

via

submitted by Cynthia Soucy, CTRS of Harborside Healthcare Willowson April 30, 2005 

Size: any size, but preferably no larger than 14

Equipment: washcloths, lotion (regular from facility or sometimes I use aroma therapy lotion from Bath and Body Works), music for calming and relaxation, a basin, warm water, and small garbage bags, Purel

Objective: Objective is to calm the patients down in the morning after breakfast and treatment and for more individualized attention.

Description: The activity is simple but rewarding. At my facility I do this on Tuesdays and Thursdays with my dementia patients. This was started by one of my co-workers.

Put on the music in a private room, preferably a room with a sink.

Next fill up a large basin with very warm water. Put in your washcloths to get them nice and warm. Place one of the garbage bags next to the basin/sink for used washcloths.

Then, one patient at a time, take a washcloth and cover the persons hands for about a minute. You will instantly see their faces relax. I also use this time to orient them to what day it is. Put the used washcloth into the "garbage" bag. Then put lotion on the patients hands and give them a hand massage. If you are using the aroma therapy lotion, allow them to smell it. I like the relaxation or awakening lotions because they really seem to have a good effect on the patients mood.

Continue this until all of the patients are taken care of, and then return them to the activity room. Make sure to wash your hands between each patient or use Purel! It is all about infection control. Also have fun!