I have put together a little cheat sheet to help you for those awkward dilemmas we encounter day to day.
1. What to do when a planned activity session does not take off!
You know the drill, you plan an activity session, run it by your residents and EVERYONE is up for it. then you do it and nobody likes it, complains or does not bother to turn up for it. My advice is stop the session, don't punish yourself and try something else or do a fail safe that you know they would respond too. Keep smiling and don't take it personally.
2.What to do when booked entertainment does not show up or cancels at the last minute!
Always good practice to phone just before the date and check all still okay as planned. If your let down at the last minute just explain to the residents what has happened and always have a plan B option, and get the Cd's out and have a singalong instead.
3. Always have a plan B
As an AC you will always hear me say about planning is king and so having a plan A and plan B option available just in case will always help you in case the eventuality arises. Always think of every possible scenario.
4.What to do if you run out of ideas
So you have done loads with your residents, exhausted all avenues and your racking your brains for new ideas. What do you do? Well,join FB groups that share ideas and have a large library you can access in their group files like my group-www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup . Lots of resources and ideas on most main themes that are current.
Also if you sign up for the Daily Sparkle you get a free 21 day trail and the information given is a wonderful wealth of knowledge, also see if your local council do AC Forums. In West Sussex they do such events which are free.
Trawl the internet for ideas on Pinterest , most local museums offer low cost or free reminiscence box hire.
5.What to do if you have no budget!
It happens, you are expected to provide activities but told you have no budget so fund raise or your budget is minis-cal.
So get vocal ask people to donate, local business', put up requests in the local supermarket notice board for donations of items that can make up a reminiscence box for you.
Ask relatives of the residents to get involved, do fund raisers like how may sweets in a jar and charge 50p a guess.
6.How to be spectacularly thrifty.
Cheap activity equipment supplies - Poundland you can get a packet of fly swats and a bag of balloons in there for £2.00. Use for balloon tennis session.
Beach Ball- Use as reminiscence conversation ball, get a permanent marker and write questions on it. So when the ball is tossed around and caught , the resident picks a question on it to start a reminiscence discussion thread.
Use Google images for pictures of outlined drawings you can print off for free.
Pick up flat oval stones from the garden or beach to use for a stone painting session.
Collect glass jars which can be used for so many different projects such as flower vases, they can be painted and used as storage jars and herb planters.
Download quizzes and keep them in a book so you can reuse again and a again.
There are lots of ways to be super thrifty if money is a issue. You can also contact local community based organisations such as dance schools, brownies etc to come and visit and do a performance for free.
Attend free care shows and networking events as you are always given lots of free goody bags and they can provide valuable resources to you to use for your residents.
7. What to do if you get the wobbles.
We all get a bit wobbly from time to time, you are human after all. If you do, remember-
Be kind to yourself.
Ask if you need help.
Delegate something to others to do.
If something is not working just try something different.
Don't be isolated, look for other like minded people.
Remember, things will look different in the morning.
I do hope this has been useful to you. Do you like what I have shared? Let me know.
I have created an online AC Academy that gives you support with all the challenges you face. Why don't you take a look and join www.actasticacademy.com.
I have created an online AC Academy that gives you support with all the challenges you face. Why don't you take a look and join www.actasticacademy.com.
Don't Be Alone!Come connect with me on FB and be part of my online community of fellow AC's at www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup
Until next time keep shining and remember your worth.
Love,
Ann Marie x
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