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Nikole avatar

I have difficulty getting my residents to participate in activities when the weather is cold outside. Does anyone have a suggestion for indoor activity. I have a poker night and an indoor game night but other then that...I'm stumped. Working on my January calendar.

Susan avatar

I always had great luck with a playing card bingo game and a sing-along at night

I assume you're looking for Night activities

Susan avatar

How could I forget a movie night

One way I got residents to get involved in the sing-along is to have a resident choral group

They could have performances for the other residents families or the community throughout the year thus giving them an incentive to practice

Susan avatar

Another idea that came to mind is to have a sports night

Put a game on TV and serve refreshments that's always a big hit

Also serving refreshments at any activity brings the esidents out

Solange avatar

Hi Nikole, winter is a great time to craft. Of course, the craft must suit the skills of your clients.

For instance, dementia clients may enjoy making a winter poster: offer magazines and old calendars to cut out winter pictures (with safety scissors). For high functioning residents something more challenging like Christmas garlands, pom-pom wreaths, paper snowflakes, or sock snowmen. All the best.

Bobbi avatar

We made Christmas decorations for our centre tree - the complexity of the activity matched the skills of the residents. That way everyone contributed.

Nikole avatar

Thank you all for the great suggestions. I have added a few indoor activities including game night and scrapbooking. I already show movies every night (except Sunday) and have a poker night every other monday.

Nikole avatar

Scrap booking has been a hit! I have family members that are coming and helping their loved ones get involved and bringing family pictures to put into scrap books. The conversations and stories have been funny and amazing!

Shelley avatar

On those cold days, offer a coffee or hot chocolate bar. Have the beverage in a crockpot so it is warm. For the hot chocolate have whipping cream, shaved chocolate, mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, marshmallow cream, crushed pepper mints, and Carmel to drizzle. Have a fun variety of mugs to fill. Let the, keep the cup, or make it a monthly occasion where they can bring in their mugs for a refill.

Shelley avatar

Hot cocoa bar. Make hot cocoa and have it warming in a crock pot. Offer up a variety of fun mugs. Next to the mugs have: mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, marshmallow cream, caramel to drizzle, crushed peppermints, Have some word puzzles available that they can do as a group, or get their cocoa and leave.

Louise avatar

When doing word puzzles are they being done sitting at a table or looking at a board?

Nasira  avatar
Nasira Educational Administration

Hi everyone

We are just starting a seniors club.

Need ideas to keep members interested enough to come again and again. Our opening is on Saturday17th February

Janell avatar

All these ideas are wonderful...thank you! I try to combine word game (unscramble winter words) while serving hot chocolate and dark chocolate hershey kisses. Always a good laugh follows.

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Sherrie Gardner
Recreational Therapist United States Flag
Sherrie Gardner

Your site is easy to use, I use it more often than the one our consultant has set up! I use so many of your ideas and love the Facebook page where everyone shares ideas, concerns and triumphs! I feel connected to a big wonderful caring society! I am always telling my co-workers how awesome Golden Carers is. I feel it is more in touch with the needs of my residents than many of the other Recreational Therapy sites.