I've worked in activities for over ten years, and I have found that there are some activities that you just have to have on the activities calendar! While these activities may be staples, they can easily lose their charm for both you and the residents when done over a long period of time.

I've worked in activities for over ten years, and I have found that there are some activities that you just have to have on the activities calendar!

While these activities may be staples, they can easily lose their charm for both you and the residents when done over a long period of time. Here are a few ways to spice up the classic activities on your calendar!

In this article we cover:

  • Alternatives to Traditional Bingo
  • Coffee Chats with a Family Theme
  • Rise & Shine Exercise Group
  • Go Exploring with Armchair Travel
  • Learn an Instrument Together

Related Activities



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Susan 26th Mar 2022 Activity Director
Hi Lora
Thank you for this information
It is most helpful
Lora 25th Mar 2022 Lifestyle Enhancement Coordinator
Dementia Australia has an app called "A Better Visit".
You download it onto your I-pad and take it with you when visiting or engaging with a person with Dementia.
Its really great especially for someone who is non verbal or who has limited communication. Its very easy to use. There is a fishing game and colouring and lots of interactive games.
Susan 4th Jan 2021 Activity Director
Hi Melissa
This sounds like a grieat activity
My go to activity was name that tune
Instead of playing music I would say the first word of a title and see if the residents could guess the song
If No one guessed I would say the next word and until someone named the song
And we would sing
Melissa 4th Jan 2021 Activity Aide
Happy New Year, all. I am currently the only activity person at our facility, so as I formulate our calendar I have to be very efficient in my planning! My go-to activity is balloon volleyball, which I do with an actual volleyball net that sets up and breaks down in only a couple of minutes. With covid, I now incorporate social distancing by putting chairs between the players’ wheelchairs. With lively music and lots of good natured trash talking, this is hugely popular; the chairs even help act as passive “players”! It’s a goodly amount of setting up but well worth it. Lately we even have physical therapy come in to play and guide some of their patients through a game. Happy 2021!
Susan 21st Apr 2020 Activity Director
This article should help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/coronavirus-18-activities-for-dementia-care/6311/
Cindy 20th Apr 2020 Activity Coordinator
I presently work in the community setting and am in need of ideas to support those with dementia in their homes! I may have to resort to doing activities over the telephone> Anyone have any ideas?
Solange 27th Apr 2020 Diversional Therapist
Helping clients at home to stay connected is challenging, no doubt.

One useful thing to do is to show/teach them how to use Skype/FaceTime so they can call family and friends.

Another idea is to download apps with captions/subtitles for hearing deficit clients.

More ideas:
1) make a booklet of 7or 8 pages with trivia, quizzes, spot the differences, riddles, numbers games, name the animal/musical instruments and more. Post it to your client to do.
2) Find out what your client is interested in and recommend YouTube channels; painting, online forums, learning a language, watching children's’ dancing competitions, gentle chair exercises, caring for baby animals.
3) Call the client once a day to lend support.
4) Choose an easy facial mask pattern and make a parcel with enough fabric for the client to trace. Alternatively, you may send a parcel with traced masks for the client to cut for you.
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