All of us need
activity. From the smallest child to the
oldest adult, our bodies urge us to move after a time. As we age our joints become stiff and painful
if we are stationary for too long, in front of a television, for instance. It is good to change positions and do
something else for a time. Planning activities
into our day can help alleviate some of our muscle and joint pain and
rigidity. But it has far more benefits
than this. It can also give our minds
something to look forward to. Anticipating what we’ll spend our time on during
this particular day that has been given to us is just as important as the
activity itself because it engages our mental faculties in new ways of problem
solving, as well as future planning. It
also gives us the chance to create and possibly express to others our love
through the gifts that we make. The idea that it’s important for our bodies to
have something to do, our minds to have something to think about and our hearts
to have something or someone to love in order to nourish the entire person
throughout the day was proposed by an educator in the 1800’s named Charlotte
Mason. She was correct, of course. If we
set up our days in this way with: 1. Something to do 2. Something to think
about 3. Something or Someone to love, we’ll find that we’re never bored and
always moving forward.
Activities,
especially in a long term care facility can be challenging to come up
with. Many of the suggestions online are
for crafty projects that are not terribly useful or beautiful to look at. Yet, most people of older generations lived
their lives with a great appreciation for the useful. Any kind of activity that we propose, then,
should have some thought for its usefulness in mind. It will be regarded with more interest and
valued more if it is proposed in this way.
This is not to say that sometimes silliness is necessary to lighten the
mood, but oftentimes silliness is something that happens spontaneously and
cannot be planned, which is a large part of the fun! Also note that the people in our care are
much older than we are and can easily recognize when they are being given,
“busy work”. No one wants their time to
just be idled away without value. If
we’re going to make a craft, then, let it be beautiful, useful or helpful to
someone. If we are going to do a game,
let it be well planned. If we are going
on an outing, let it be interesting.
Employ the mental faculties at the same time as the physical ones in
order to have a much more rewarding activity.
Also strive to employ different senses as you plan activities. The sense of smell, touch, taste, hearing
& seeing are all at our disposal to engage those we care for in a more
meaningful way.
With these things in
mind, here are a few unique activities that you may not have thought of to do
with patients, clients or your elderly loved one.
- Make potting soil mixes. Many people pot pretty plants with senior
citizens. Buying all of that potting mix
can get expensive. It is much more
economical to make your own potting soil mixture. Especially in a long term
care facility, the ability to make potting soil is valuable. It employs several senses and engages gross
motor, as well as fine motor skills. It
also employs a good deal of mental acuity without being too fussy as ratios are
used between different ingredients, but it is a forgiving media! - Grow herbs for tea or for cooking. Even in an indoor space with less than
stellar lighting, herbs can be grown.
Planting seeds, checking for lighting conditions and setting up a
lighting system where necessary, and caring for the seedlings takes a good bit
of time & mental activity. Solving problems and watching newness each day
gives hope. - Make herb mixes or tea sachets. Whether using the herbs that they’ve grown or
store-bought ones, making herb mixes or tea bags to give as gifts can be a
great activity. It will engage the sense
of smell, taste and use fine motor skills.
Figuring out loved ones that might appreciate these things as gifts is
another great way to open their heart to the outside world. - Working with wood. I do not mean that you should get out the
table saw for your activity time in the senior center, but think about crafts
that can be made using wood as a texture. Wood is a quality material to work
with, and also has the benefit of smelling amazing! Final sanding can be done by most elderly. Painting can also be done. If you find a project that has selling
potential, consider whether they might like to be involved in producing it for
a fundraiser for something in the community.
Let them know that their impact on the world is not diminished just
because their bodies are aging. - If you must use paper for crafts, consider an
older craft like Paper Sloyd to make useful items out of paper. Choose heavier paper that can still be folded
and cut easily. Making key tags or labels,
small baskets to hold their items or even a frame for a favorite print might be
an enjoyable pastime for some. - Glass beads for garlands or sun catchers are
always a good idea. Light is so
important & being able to watch it pass through colored glass and dance
around the room is cheering to most people.
Making a garland or sun catcher using several materials can make it more
visually attractive. Consider including
driftwood to add a natural element. - Pebble art has become popular in recent
years. Taking pebbles or small smooth
stones to make figures of people or animals can be very entertaining. Making them into scenes engages the
imagination and sometimes the memory.
Treat the final projects with respect by being sure they are matted and
framed. Consider having a favorite quote
or verse added to the masterpiece to make it a keepsake. - If writing has become laborious, and they are no
longer able to write out recipes, have them consider making customized
watercolor paper recipe cards. Their
loved ones can then print or write favorite family recipes onto the cards and
still have a reminder of them whenever they use it. - If crocheting and knitting is too painful on
arthritic hands, but a person really enjoys working with yarn and similar
textiles, consider whether weaving may be an option. Woven tops for throw pillows & even woven
rugs are trending and in high demand.
They would be appreciated as gifts.
There are plenty of amazing projects out there and the
variations are only limited by our own creativity! Find more ideas for useful projects next
week on the blog!