Pinata Therapy

As we continue to honor different employees each month, we celebrated Rehab with a fitting physical activity: a hand made leaf pinata cut and decorated by the residents. We did this on the first day of Autumn. One resident volunteer, who has limited use of her left hand, was able to pull leaves off a garland to come spilling out when the pinata was finally cracked. The rehab employees took turns and the resident spectators cheered when candy and thank you cards were finally unleashed.

The Bread and Butter of Assisted Living

I told the women sitting around the table, all of whom were at least in their 80's, that I was going to teach them about making butter. They didn't believe me.

With a few tablespoons of heavy cream, souffle cups, and 5 minutes of arm exercise, I surprised them.

While we shook, the smell of fresh baked bread kneaded the air. The residents had each added one of the ingredients for the loaf.

After the bread machine beeped we swiped creamy fresh butter on hot slices and took big bites.

Visiting children played on the floor with building blocks. The residents speculated on when the youngest would learn to walk.

It was a great day in Assisted Living.

Don't Ever Lego

Crafters might agree with me that there is a very real fear: as soon as you throw away supplies, you think of the perfect use for them.

For this reason I tend to hang on to things like an overflowing bucket of legos. I also feel the urge to include them in activities as soon as possible.

During August, Unit Managers are celebrated. For their appreciate gifts residents chose a few pieces to put together as a paperweight. They also wrote notes of thanks. On the day, I called each manager over individually and had a different resident hand them their present, as well a large chocolate bar and a hug if they wanted it. The residents loved the reaction of the employees.

Olympics

At the beginning of the Olympics, residents helped decorate by cutting colored circles,

making copies of the meaning of the 5 colors, supervising me hanging hoops,

posting the schedule of the games at large community televisions,

and using medicine cup rims and fabric paint to decorate white tee shirts.

We had a Brazilian food taste test. (Hint: there are no lemons in Brazilian lemonade.)

On the last day of the games, we had a social with cheese puffs in ice cream cone "torches".

Calendar Not Bored

Traditionally, the giant calendar board in the skilled nursing part of my work has one a monotone background that we change each month.

I decided we should try something new and use cut scrapbook paper for an entire season.

This has worked beautifully for summer: picnic baskets, fruit, new grass, blue skies, and sand. For fall, I bought hunting scrapbook paper full of leaves and woods and animals in twilight. Of course the residents chose which paper reminded them of the season, and cut out the paper along the lines drawn for them.

Raffling Sunshine

The local car club had a car show in our parking lot. This is the big fundraiser of the year and I was so happy with my department's basket to raffle.

Here is the press release I wrote about the event:


"The *** *** team (including resident families and volunteers) gave their time, energy, and more on July 22nd, 2016. Together they pulled off a great car show on the front lot.

The memories made on this night are sure to last for a long time.

Earlier on that Friday the weather darkened and rain threatened to cancel the opportunity for dozens of unique cars to park outside safely. Instead, a bright sky and light breeze set the stage for residents, families, staff, and visitors to enjoy a great evening.

*** *** would like to thank the *** *** Car Club for having their show with us again this year. Also, they volunteered to have a 50/50 raffle and donated the winnings to the residents. Each person who brought a car to the show was given a *** *** dash plaque to celebrate the day.

Music was provided by **** DJ and listened to by all.

Besides the delicious food for sale, people seemed to enjoy viewing the raffle baskets and buying chances to win. These were donated by all departments from *** ***.

The proceeds of the show were split between the employee Christmas party fund and the resident Christmas party fund. There will be many more ways to raise money for these anticipated events."
 

Lightening Bug Fires

In July, fireflies tell us it's summer. Since most of the residents aren't outside at the time of night when the males emit a light in hopes a female will respond back, we decided to make a decoration instead.

One of my new activities professionals is an artist and I only had to tell him my idea for him to create a fantastic wall piece. Christmas lights poking through really make it unique.

Unlike real lightening bugs, our project is not almost 100% efficient. Therefore we can't keep it plugged in without attending it. It's still nice to turn on and promote discussion.