Weekend cultural events are a staple of the modern weekend. There are so many ways to spend your time, and more than enough things to be fun and exciting!
Nursing home week is a great way to get the community together and into the sunroom or courtyard where they can enjoy each other’s company while also practicing some of their core duties.
Usually held on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, this event can last all day! There are usually events scheduled for all months of the year, plus free of charge if weather allows for outdoor events.
Many local communities have summer festivals where people can come out and enjoy the sun and fun. If you are looking for an easy event to host, nursing home week activities are perfect.
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Give out awards for exceptional behavior
Having an award program does two things. First, it gives you a way to recognize good behavior in your residents. Second, it breaks up the weeks into themed weeks and puts more events in for the residents.
It is also very easy to get distracted by all the great rewards people are offering up, so giving out awards is a must. It creates a culture of accountability and delivers a reward every time someone does something good.
We can give out rewards for good behavior in many ways. Some ways people deliver rewards are through praise, money, or some other form of compensation. The most important part is that the person receiving the reward does not want to receive it (i.e., they do not want a reward but they have to receive it in order for them to get one).
Have a costume day
Many people enjoy wearing costumes for fun, and it is a great way to get some family and friends together. You can also do a casual costume day so that people can also wear their favorite garmentsathirdly.
Cute costumes are ideal for one day, so do not oversell yourself. You can still have a great time wearing them, and this is true of the regular costume days as well.
Having just one costume per person is an excellent way to save time and energy. Since there will be many stops during the day, this will not be an issue!
Conducting a weekly costume day is low-key, cost-effective, and fun.
Host a “golden memories” night
Do some residents get a special night to enjoy an hour to themselves? Or is that nongroundedness that makes us want to get out and do things ourselves, but elders need help getting around?
If so, then plan a “golden memory” night for the residents. Plan fun activities for the residents to do on their time. Maybe have a Halloween party or Halloween event where the residents get to dress up and go into trick-or-treating mode.
Or have a Christmas event where the residents get to hang out with the rest of the staff and family members. You could do activities like sleigh rides or trying your hand at crafts.
Ask residents about their memories
Your guests should ask questions to help make the experience more special. These questions include: What memories does this memory create for me? How did I feel about it then and now?
Nursing homes are a place where people go to remember and enjoy one another. You should not forget this when inviting visitors. An old gentleman or lady who enjoys being around other people may find great enjoyment in your home.
If you have a child involved, they should have good questions for the elderly. If an older person has some habits they like to stay on board, she or he can ask the individual to keep him or her busy by doing something every day.
Ask your residents if there are any special needs or conditions that affect their ability to enjoy themselves. If someone is aware of anything that might affect their ability to enjoy themselves, let them contact you so you can take care of them.
Prepare and share food related to national holidays
If you are sharing a holiday with your community, or if the holiday is a day off for the rest of your community, then getting some food related to the holiday is a good idea.
Getting some ingredients for a meal or snack is helpful too, and it helps build confidence in yourself to make something food related. It also reminds you of what holidays you are celebrating, which is fun.
Using what foods are celebrated on national holidays as meals ideas is also a great way to save money. By using things you would have cost common in advance of a sale, you are likely going to find someone else willing to let you use them because of your reputation for quality food.
Encourage family visits
Family visits are a joy for all involved, and can be had even in the midst of much else. Having your family nearby makes a huge impact on the resident, and allows them to meet other people and areas within the community.
This is particularly valuable for older residents, who may not be active members of the community but who need the careture of others. By having visits organized by date and time, it is easy to have everyone show up on time, which is important.
By having family visits organized by date and time, it is easy to have two family members visit at the same time- both from inside and outside the home. This increases the chances of good quality sleep, comfort, and recitness due to meeting other neighbors and relatives.
Having two families visit on the same day adds extra stress to those already working with little break schedule. If you are looking into organizing family visits or just want to help increase privacy for the residents, this is a great way to do it.
Plan activities with the residents
NURSING HOME WEEK ACTIVITIES IDEAS is for you to create! If you have any suggestions for nursing home week activities, please send an email to [email protected] and we will add them to our list.
Many residents find interaction with the outside world enjoyable. Some enjoy being looked at regularly, others like being entertained in various ways.
If you can match the needs of each group, you have yourself a winner. For example, a few years ago, some of the residents were given teddy bears and were encouraged to drape them around the place and sit with them.
Other residents enjoyed watching television or listening to music while sitting in their rooms. You decide which options work best for your facility!
For patients who do not appear conscious or happy, giving them entertainment such as playing practical jokes is enjoyable.
Tell them about your life
When you are in the nursing home, you want to make sure that they know what lives you live. If you are a retiree, then tell them about your previous jobs.
If you were a nurse or medical doctor, then tell them about your experiences. If you were an aide or caretaker, tell them about your jobs.
Tell them what health problems you have and how much help you need. This way, the staff can give you special attention.
If you need help with anything, ask the residents or whoever is responsible for health and safety in the building.