Forum Discussion

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Carol 23rd Jun 2020 Activity Director
Hi All,

I am in month 10 of being the Activities Director at a small SNF. I am just wondering how y'all plan out your monthly activities? Do you sit down and plan out a whole month at once or do it as you go?

Just wanting to know what has worked for others.

Thank you!

Carol
Solange 23rd Jun 2020 Diversional Therapist
Hi Carol, LifeStyle Coordinators usually do a Monthly Activity Calendar. See this link for examples.https://www.goldencarers.com/sample-activities-calendars/3881/
All the best and keep safe.
Susan 25th Jun 2020 Activity Director
Hi I am a planner and I always planned a month at a time however I know things always change so I adapt and modify as i go
I used to have a monthly calendar and a weekly calendar
That way if things changed the weekly calendar reflected the change
But as I am sure you learned things can change very quickly because of weather sickness or an entertainer canceling at the last minute just to name a few
I tried to book most entertainment a year in advance especially the good ones
Every month has certain activities such as the monthly birthday party religious events and resident favorites

After being at a facility for a year you can see that every month has special events
You may have to change things because the residents needs and preferences change
Have you looked at
https://www.goldencarers.com/free-activity-calendar-for-seniors/4857/

https://www.goldencarers.com/sample-activities-calendars/3881/

https://toolkit.goldencarers.com/
Hannah 27th Jun 2020 Life Enrichment Director
Hi Carol,

Welcome to the world of Activities!

Personally I have to make a monthly calendar and newsletter for the residents and families every month. So I sit down at the beginning of each month and plan out the next month! So by the beginning of June I had July already planned.

This gives me time to book entertainment (this has been easier with COVID since it has to be virtual), and look up monthly observances that I can plan my events around (https://nationaldaycalendar.com/).

Even though most people plan out things way in advance, you will find that every day will be different and may not always go as planned. Because of this fact I know many Activity Directors who print out a daily sheet that says the activities. This way your residents are alerted every day if something on the monthly calendar has changed!

Hope this helps :)
Susan 27th Jun 2020 Activity Director
Thank you for this information Hannah and should be very helpful
Mary LYnn 28th Jun 2020 Activities Director
Hi friends!
I am beyond excited to be part of this amazing group. I just got hired as AD at a Senior Day Service Facility. Meaning these clients come on a daily basis. Opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 5:00 PM Monday thru Friday. Some clients come everyday and some every other day etc....Now with COVID we are reopening July 6th with very few clients at first and of course following all new rules and regulations. With our new rules and regs, every client gets their own plastic storage box (with lid. Size of a boot box) with their name on it so it can be filled with their own personal items. PLEASE post any FUN suggestions and clever ideas. They are NOT allowed to take any crafts home with them during this unique crisis so any crafts we make have to be "tossed" out (after they leave of course), stored in their box, or displayed in our garden. I am open to EVERYTHING from craft ideas to activities. I am reading tons of great ideas here but if you can post some ideas that have work famously with your clients/residents, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!
"Air" Hugs and Love, Mary Lynn xoxo
Princess 11th Nov 2020 Activity Director
I have just joined particularly for a good activity calendar, do you have a monthly activity calendars that can be filled in with my own activities.
Talita 11th Nov 2020
Hi Princess, welcome to the community!
You can create calendars from this page:
https://www.goldencarers.com/free-activity-calendar-for-seniors/4857/
Susan 12th Nov 2020 Activity Director
Hi Princess
Thank you for joining
You may also want to use the tool kit
https://toolkit.goldencarers.com/plans/
If you have any other questions feel free to ask them this community is full of members who are intelligent and creative

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