Peter

Well said Melody...I couldn't agree more!

Hi Susan and Tamara; thanks for your replies. You have given me some great ideas to explore. The meetings could be useful and I like the approach you mention, Tamara. I agree about the use of technology and would prefer printed copies anyway. The technology may have a place still, but I would be using it to display things on a large screen for the patients to see - activities such as the picture reveal on Golden Carers for example and bingo. But I agree, most of our patients are not going to be comfortable using a tablet or similar. I started my job earlier this week and so far, so good. There is an Activities Calendar already at the unit but I can try different things too. I am doing weekends and these are not covered in the calendar so I will be able to design some activities for the patients to do at weekends which is great. I did a simple snakes and ladders game yesterday...I used a large portable whiteboard and drew a snakes and ladders board. I simply had a few pairs of dice in plastic cups (shakers), wrote residents names on small pieces of paper as counters and stuck them to the board after moving the appropriate amount of spaces. It was great fun and seemed to go down really well. Thank you once again guys! Peter

That sounds like a fun way to go Sara. And yes, stickers can be hit and miss. That said the residents could always design their own in a craft session and we can transfer their images onto sticker sheets to use.

Hi all, I was just wondering what approach you guys take to implementing the activities from Golden Carers on the calendar. Do you print out and display the weekly / monthly calendar? Or do you use this one here as a reference / guide for you personally to refer to? With the links on the calendar, do you simply click on the activities provided or do you go through each and add the ones you want to your calendar? I'm just interested in what you do, what works best etc...
I am not sure how much I can rely on technology at my end either as I do not know what is already in place as yet until I start next week. It seems that many of the activities are designed to use with technology - and it would be great to do the bingo and quizzes using computers or tablets. However, if we do not have these, I suppose printing them out is the next best option.
Any thoughts?
Best wishes,
Peter

The choccies are a winner for sure but obviously there are limitations as you say with regard to different diets, allergies etc..I am brand new here and I hope you don't mind if I chime in... but I was thinking perhaps of handing out some simple stickers, getting your residents to choose one from a pack. You could have ones saying "Well done" or "Super Star!" I'm sure there are hundreds to choose from and it won't cost the earth. I know it sounds overly simple, but I know that everyone likes a sense of reward and acknowledgment so it doesn't have to be a complex process. Best of luck!

Thank you, Jen, for your kind words of encouragement. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Yes, I am slowly making sense of it all here - such a fantastic "atmosphere" amongst members. It will be better once I am in post of course because I will be able to tailor activities to the individuals. But for now, I am happy to check out the wealth of information available here and put some ideas together. Take care!

Thank you Susan for your response. I feel like I am in really good hands here at Golden Carers.... but I guess that's the point of what we are all striving to do - to help, support, encourage and help others. Thanks once again for your warm welcome! It's small things like this that really makes all the difference.

Hi, I am new here and I loved reading your questions and responses. Everyone seems wholly dedicated and supportive. I followed this thread as I am due to start my new job as an Activities Coordinator based at a hospital. The reply from Susan was really helpful and I have looked at your suggestions as a way for designing something similar that will suit my own needs. Thank you and it's a pleasure to meet you both.

Hi everyone, I have just taken the plunge into becoming a Golden Carers Member and I can tell straight away that it is one of the best moves ever. I am going to be starting a brand new position as an Activities Coordinator, based at a hospital in a week or two so have found this website a godsend. You all seem really supportive and knowledgeable and I hope I get to speak and interact with you all in time to come. I am very excited about being here and learning more about what you all do, where you work, what activities you do and sharing stories. Keep doing what you're doing because you are amazing, folks!
Take care (a cyber handshake offered to one and all!)

Peter

Hello Denise, I am also brand new as I joined a day or two ago. I am also looking forward to looking through all of this amazing content and interacting with such valuable wisdom and experience amongst its members. This truly is an amazing website, run by passionate people who value what they do and more importantly, appreciate the hard work and care that goes into the different roles.
All the best,

Peter