So to stop heart ache, tears, stress and disappointment I have put together a little sheet of what you need to think about booking NOW and how to plan your Christmas for your residents so you have the best one ever.
From all accounts last year I do recall a lot of AC's getting very stressed and some feeling a bit lost as to what to plan and do.
Firstly can I say it's not a competition and you know what works with your residents best and a great deal of the time it is down to money.
Work with what you have and you will be amazed at what you can do. You can do this!
Let Plan-
Activity Schedule Plan- Planning is key to your success, you will always hear me harp on about this. Always have a plan. Here is my suggestions for you that you can do with your residents and things you need to do know-
- Panto - Have you booked your Christmas entertainment? If not NOW really is the time to do this. They get pretty booked up fast and the earlier the better. Plan when you are going to have your Christmas main resident's party or theme and BOOK and PLAN exactly what your going to be doing.
- Carol Service- You can approach local schools or church choirs to come in and lead you in a carol service concert and this can be done anytime in the run up to Christmas, as the month of December is Christmas themed, plan your activity sessions out and the main highlights in the momentum leading up to your main Christmas event.
- Activity Count Down Suggestions- What I have planned with my groups I work with on a weekly basis is to do planned activity sessions leading up to Christmas as follows, this is just an example -
Week 1-
Salt dough Christmas tree decorations.
Week 2-
Christmas paper angels and Christmas cards.
Week 3.
Putting up the Christmas tree and home decorations.
Week 4. Do
a ginger bread house.
Week 5.
Carol Service for residents and relatives.
Week 6.
Christmas Service for residents.
Week 7.
Panto and Christmas party.
- Include Everyone- Remember to factor in everyone in all the festivities especially assign time for those who choose to remain in their rooms through choice or cannot get out due to mobility issues.
- Learn to Delegate- You are not superman or super woman. So what you can delegate out to others to help you with, do it. I know it can be hard for AC's to do this but you might find that your colleagues will want to help. Don't burn yourself out.
- Making use of relatives- Ask the resident's relatives to get involved to assist you on large projects, you would be surprised that they actually want to help. So ask. Ask early for your Christmas donations and Always great to have extra hands to help.
- Gifts- Buy practical gifts for your resident's, what you know they will use and appreciate, set a realistic budget amount.
- Finally remember YOU. Yes, you. Your important and you have to pace yourself and do your own personal Christmas shopping and planning. So make sure youmake time for yourself and do not put unnecessary pressure and expectations on yourself. Enjoy your time with your family, leave work at work and give yourself permission to switch off and relax when you celebrate your own festivities at home.
Planning from now will help you no end and let you know well in advance what your doing and also help you budget as well not only money but your time, you could start prepping early for your home made Christmas decorations etc.
Until next time keep shining and remember your worth. Do you like what I have shared? Let me know and also I have created an online AC Academy that gives you support with all the challenges you face. 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
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
Sign up to go on my mailing list and get my FREE ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly"
Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1
Until next time, keep shining.
Love,
Ann Marie x
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