Senior Adult Prom

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submitted here by Melinda Dykes of Lincoln Residential Center, Brookhaven, MS on Tuesday, January 07, 2003

Size: large group

Equipment: decorations, finger food, music, a specific place to take pictures

Objective: Socialization

Description: Decorate as you would for a school prom. Invite area high school students to come wearing their prom attire. Dress clients in nice clothing (e.g. old prom or wedding dresses collected from staff). Decorate an area for taking pictures. Play music appropriate for the age group. Have a great time!

Random Words

Prepare a list of random words ahead of time.

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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.

Let's Make a Deal

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submitted here by Dawn Reid of South Cumberland Community Care Center on August 21, 2008

Size of Group: any size of group 

Equipment: Two non see-through sized gift bags, various nice prizes as well as some prank prizes, fake money. 

Objective: Our residents absolutely love this game. We always have a great laugh at some of the crazy prizes that are won. I always try to make sure that everyone has a funny prize and as well a nice prize.They get to laugh together and just enjoy each others company. 

Description: What we do is make sure that I have at least a dozen or so of each category of prizes. I then gather everyone that wants to play around a table. Everyone is given $80.00 in fake money. The first person to my left will start the game. I start the game with one prize in each bag...as the game goes on and people have already started to win prizes then I add one funny prize and a serious prize in each bag. This way we can make sure that if someone has not won a funny prize then we can make sure that they do or vice versa. They have the choice of what bag they would like to buy for a price of $20.00 in funny money. They can trade or purchase with the other residents if they wish to. We let everyone take their turn in order. The game is finished when everyone has spent all of their money. A couple of times through out the game open the bidding up and let everyone bid on the two bags....the highest bidder wins what is in the bag of their choice.

Inside Snowball Fight

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submitted here by Becky Cates of Timberlake Healthcare, Farmerville LA on December 15, 2009

Size of Group: small to large 

Equipment: large marshmallows, bags to hold them. Scarves, hats and gloves 

Objective: Lots of laughter and fun 

Description: We have a annual snowball fight every December. The staff and residents are involved and gives them time to mingle with one another. Fill bags with large marshmallows and hand out to residents and staff members. Have everyone wear scarves, hats and gloves. Anyone can start the game but be ready to fire back when the first snowball is thrown. You will find that the laughter can be heard down every hall in the facility. After the snowball fight serve hot chocolate with peppermint sticks to stir.