Forum Discussion

Thank you so very much for your feedback Dawn, this means so much to us! Sorry for the delay in response, this comment didn't pass through our forum channel.

A mixed media collage is a nice activity that everyone can enjoy:
https://www.goldencarers.com/mixed-media-collages-for-the-elderly/4715/

Coloring-in is also a very worthwhile activity and there are many lovely templates on the website incluidng artist emulations.
https://www.goldencarers.com/artist-impression/

Group art projects can also be very successful:
https://www.goldencarers.com/we-are-connected-project/6499/
https://www.goldencarers.com/community-scrapbook-quilt/6415/

Here are some ideas for whiteboard activities that can be adapted to suit.
https://www.goldencarers.com/6-whiteboard-games-for-the-elderly/5428/

Don't forget to take a look through member submitted activities, there are some wonderful ideas here!
https://www.goldencarers.com/member-activities/

Hope this helps!

Hi Dawn
I like dot art for those with dementia
It is easy and usually comes out well
https://www.goldencarers.com/indigenous-australian-dot-paintings/3356/
If this is too complicated just by dot Art supplies
You can even use bingo Dobbers

I just joined. I am an art teacher with students from age 4 to 101. The administrator for my 'senior' class asked me to do a paint project at the Assisted Living Center, and at the Memory Care. I find the Tree of life is simple and fun, showing them how to draw the trunk and limbs, and then pouncing the leaves/flowers on. The rainbow tree is fun, where the trunk is many colors, and first I show them that it is a real tree. One of my seniors has Alzheimer's and this year her husband joined the class to help her as her alzheimers is advancing, but he is also teaching me how to work with her, which I am so grateful for. I love giving students choices of subject and colors,but he explained with her I cannot do that, it is too confusing, I have to give her specifics.

Hi Mary
Thank you for sharing this

Hi, Dawn:

You mentioned writing a word and having residents come up with words using those letters. Every Friday morning, we do that. We call it "Word Power." Our group calls themselves the "Word Power Wonders," and they love the game; they also enjoy initiating new members into the group, explaining the rules and strategies for coming up with new words. One resident has written a poem about the Word Power Wonders, and she memorialized former members of the group who have passed or were discharged. This is a great activity to get staff involved: my residents enjoy staff popping in to see if they can come up with a word or two.

Another game we do I call "Listmania." We make lists of things like countries of the world, actors/actresses, professions, bodies of water. My residents really enjoy this and look forward to it when they see it on the Activities calendar. Listmania is a great "ad hoc" activity--if you see several residents sitting in the lobby looking bored, you can grab your white board and just go.

My residents also enjoy Hangman.

My residents' favorite trivia is from a huge "Mental Floss Trivia" book--my higher cognitive residents love this as well and always comment when they see it on the calendar.

Kim

Wow Kim
I love your ideas
Thank you for sharing I’m sure they will be helpful to many