ChatterBank11 mins ago
Any ideas please for
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a Valentine's party in a residential care home? Residents are up to the age of 96, some mobile, others not.All ideas welcome -- many thanks.
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That is a lovely suggestion Peter :)
Might be an idea to have a few different things on so they can pick and choose, for example some who might have recently lost partners might not be on for the romance side of things.
When I used to volunteer at a local hospice and a residential centre for the disabled, I used to help with diversional therapy and organising entertainment and we would have a couple of things on and there would be things available for people who didn't want to do group stuff.
You could use the love idea but more generally, people could talk about loved ones in general be it a partner (living or lost, even a past love), children, pet even. Basically just talk about the love or loves of their life, makes it a little more inclusive.
Maybe a teadance element with old romantic songs - the more mobile could have a bit of a dance, even if assisted or just sway along in a chair. You could even see if you could show a good old fashioned romantic (or feelgood) movie or even a nostalgic programme about life back then, the stars etc... Even make it like an old fashioned trip to the pictures with the lights down (maybe drapes up) and old fashioned tellers serving icecream etc... (bear with me, I'm only 32 so not sure what it was like then!).
I like the idea of valentine cocktails too :) The liqueur trolley was always a big hit at the hospice :)
Might be an idea to have a few different things on so they can pick and choose, for example some who might have recently lost partners might not be on for the romance side of things.
When I used to volunteer at a local hospice and a residential centre for the disabled, I used to help with diversional therapy and organising entertainment and we would have a couple of things on and there would be things available for people who didn't want to do group stuff.
You could use the love idea but more generally, people could talk about loved ones in general be it a partner (living or lost, even a past love), children, pet even. Basically just talk about the love or loves of their life, makes it a little more inclusive.
Maybe a teadance element with old romantic songs - the more mobile could have a bit of a dance, even if assisted or just sway along in a chair. You could even see if you could show a good old fashioned romantic (or feelgood) movie or even a nostalgic programme about life back then, the stars etc... Even make it like an old fashioned trip to the pictures with the lights down (maybe drapes up) and old fashioned tellers serving icecream etc... (bear with me, I'm only 32 so not sure what it was like then!).
I like the idea of valentine cocktails too :) The liqueur trolley was always a big hit at the hospice :)
Thank you to everyone , lots of good ideas and will give things my best shot.Will report back.Just to add that all the residents do have freedom of choice whether to partake in any event and there is no pressure on them to join in. Many gain a lot of pleasure from watching others, especially if children are involved.
19 residents went to our local panto this week, and they loved every moment , especially the choc ices in the interval.Often just being off the premises means so much. Thank you all once again.
For me personally, I think it is wonderful to see the very elderly put on their best togs and get ready for an outing and how smart they look as well. Amazing.
19 residents went to our local panto this week, and they loved every moment , especially the choc ices in the interval.Often just being off the premises means so much. Thank you all once again.
For me personally, I think it is wonderful to see the very elderly put on their best togs and get ready for an outing and how smart they look as well. Amazing.
My MIL has just gone into respite at one of these places. Shes nearly 95. Some of the younger ones are far worse than her mentally. She likes a good laugh and is always cheerful and friendly. She would enjoy something like you suggest. Yes, it probably would bring a few tears remembering their own loved ones but I think overall older people like to remember.
I think the pass the parcel as suggested would be a good idea and good singalong guessing who originally sang it.
Keep us posted please
I think the pass the parcel as suggested would be a good idea and good singalong guessing who originally sang it.
Keep us posted please
I wasn't suggested there was any pressure to join in, never was with us either.
It's lovely doing special things, I loved it, just wish I had more time to these days. We used to do more diversional therapy on the day unit at the hospital but when I did residential I would stay there for a week at a time so used to do all sorts from cabaret to casino nights.
I know what you mean about the going out aspect, it makes such a difference - as the centre I was at was a holiday/respite centre we used to pack as much into the week as possible. Even just going out to a local pub was a special treat for them - especially the wheelchair races down the prom afterwards :)
A sunday lunch out is a nice one, go have a good old fashioned roast dinner, somewhere scenic like by a lake where those who want to can go for a wander after or just sit and feed the ducks. Somewhere with an icecream van would be lovely. Even make it a bit more inclusive if feasible where other family can come, especially with little ones who are a joy to watch.
Scrapbook making is a nice idea, get a load of photos and momentos - get family to bring in copies of pictures etc... so they can have a special scrapbook with them of memories.
Crafts used to be very popular too at the hospice. We had a group who would always be knitting and crocheting away - often making things to be sold in the hospice shop to help raise money. I could already knit but they taught me to crochet. Even making things for local charities could be a lovely idea like hats and mittens for a local baby unit or blankets for a local pets home.
It's lovely doing special things, I loved it, just wish I had more time to these days. We used to do more diversional therapy on the day unit at the hospital but when I did residential I would stay there for a week at a time so used to do all sorts from cabaret to casino nights.
I know what you mean about the going out aspect, it makes such a difference - as the centre I was at was a holiday/respite centre we used to pack as much into the week as possible. Even just going out to a local pub was a special treat for them - especially the wheelchair races down the prom afterwards :)
A sunday lunch out is a nice one, go have a good old fashioned roast dinner, somewhere scenic like by a lake where those who want to can go for a wander after or just sit and feed the ducks. Somewhere with an icecream van would be lovely. Even make it a bit more inclusive if feasible where other family can come, especially with little ones who are a joy to watch.
Scrapbook making is a nice idea, get a load of photos and momentos - get family to bring in copies of pictures etc... so they can have a special scrapbook with them of memories.
Crafts used to be very popular too at the hospice. We had a group who would always be knitting and crocheting away - often making things to be sold in the hospice shop to help raise money. I could already knit but they taught me to crochet. Even making things for local charities could be a lovely idea like hats and mittens for a local baby unit or blankets for a local pets home.
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