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Kim
lifestyle
'Bored Board' Brain Training for Seniors
I saw an idea similar to this and thought what a great idea to incorporate into our facility!
There are many ways to do this, but here I have used a pegboard and stick-on velcro hook on tape. I found all of the inserts of activities available on Golden Carers using the search bar on the right-hand side under games and trivia.
We have many residents with an active mind and looking for something to do after dinner and on weekends when there are no activities scheduled. This is also useful for those that like to stay in their rooms and choose not to join in with the daily program.
Why Seniors Should Play Games
Studies show that brain training has cognitive benefits for the elderly which helps in maintaining necessary life skills. Indulging in mindful activities stimulate the working of the brain and helps in fighting age-related mental issues.
Requirements :
- Pegboard or corkboard (whatever size is suitable for your needs. I ordered ours from our local stationary supply) you could also use the ones that can be wheeled around.
- Coloured card or you could use plastic pockets.
- nserts of activities such as trivia, crosswords, word ladder, hidden object, spot the difference, word search, maths, riddles. There are many to choose in all selections, especially special themed days.
- Headers for your chosen activities.
- Velcro brand general purpose stick-on hook tape.
- Laminator to laminate holders and or images of your choice (I found ours online by looking up brain training images)
Ideally you would set this up according to the needs of your own facility, perhaps even incorporating music and playlists. Your options are endless.
I have set this up for the unit that I work in and our CEO loves it so much she wants me to set one up for each of the units over different sites. Customize them to suit you. Look forward to seeing what you all do.
I named ours the "Bored Board" because I like the play on words but I have seen them called a "Busy Board" also.
where do you find all of the papers ? or is there a website you have just print from ????
Hi Heather
Through observation and asking the residents and Staff
See what would be most beneficial and interesting to most of the residents
For example you could use these puzzles
https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?search=Puzzles+&search_tag=Activity
Or these
https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?search=Word&search_tag=Activity
The possibilities are endless, depending on the needs and wants of a residents
I've completed our Bored Board, thank you so much for the idea. The patients love it and all the staff have said how amazing it is :)
Wow Helen, what a great job you've done! Thank you so much for sharing this photo with us x
Hi Tina
It sounds like you are doing what he likes
Hi im a caregiver i love doing activities brand thing with my clients i just started to use this. Alot of stuff i can use. Need more in parkinsons activities. Anybody can help
He is very smart.I like doing challenges with him..we do exercise in morning and activities after lunch.I need some fun ideas walking though the house activity.after I leave he sits all day. He has Parkinson's little slow on walking some tremors
He loves playing brain question games.our focus is doing exercises and keeping him active
He does live with his wife. He's 84 any fun walking in house activities he loves sports/football
Hi Tina
What issues does the persons with Parkinson’s disease have
As you know it’s a neurological disease and can’t have many symptoms
Let me know what they are and I can suggest some activities for you
It sounds like an awesome idea!
Thanks
I help run a luncheon Club for the Seniors. During this Covid time I have kept in touch with our 35 members every two weeks with a package containing a questionnaire, poems, a little history of the area where we live, thought for the week, and some games. So your website has been very helpful in providing me with information. We are now in our 42nd week, and I am planning for another14 weeks. So I am grateful I have your website to help me out.
Clive Coleclough
Thank you so much for your feedback Clive! Wow what a lot of work that must be and what a wonderful job you are doing. All the best!
Hi Sherry
Thanks for telling us about your experience
I am glad the staff figured out a way to make this work
I made one of these before the pandemic. My residents loved the idea. It always gave them something to do when I was not there. During the pandemic, it was a little challenging because the nurses would have to get the items off the board and give to the residents. They were not allowed out of there room. During that time, I also gave out packets.
This is a wonderful idea! Thank you!
Thanks for your feedback Brandi!
I absolutely love this idea and can be easily tailored to suit the seasons and have used a very similar board before. There are so many amazing, wonderful ideas on this site . Thank you so much
Thank you so very much for your feedback Evangeline x
I love this idea! I work at a Psychiatric Hospital on a geriatric unit. This would be great for my unit!
Thankyou so much for the great idea our Busy Board has been set up in the café lounge. I have used plastic coloured envelopes from Officeworks for easy wiping and the labels can be changed around. Residents can access it or staff can pass onto residents. I try to show the residents when I am taking them for a walk outside on our way back to the room.
I did try velcro to hold the envelopes on but they kept coming off so ended up using coloured pins.
What size is the board that you used?
I think you should use a board that fits best in the area you are using
Yes! after giving it some thought I have the perfect place for it and will set it up today. Thanks
Love this. What size is your board
Have just set up one where I work on 1 wing, for those days when no activity person available. If it goes well will do the same on the other wing
great idea! will be doing this at my facility.
I have done this in our facility.... great great idea. They use it all the time.
great idea, thankyou
I love this and I will set one up, as I don't always have the time to share these wonderful mind exercises with them. This may help with the "board-um".
What a great idea. Am going to try one and see how it goes.
What a brilliant way to display all the lovely activities . Thank you.
I did a weekend box and included these ideas in poly pockets. I like the bored board idea.
Brilliant will be doing this in my home. Thank you.
Great idea, thank you
Love this idea! thanks for sharing Kim.
Fantastic idea thx for sharing it Kym!
Such a great idea
What a great idea.
I really like this idea
I did something similar to this but yours is better
Looks nice...like the colors!
Thank you Kim, a great idea
Fabulous initiative Kim! Thanks for sharing!
Such a fantastic idea thankyou
A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: "Bored Board" Brain training for seniors