I am one to encourage you in your role from the side lines and cheer you on to succeed for your own self worth and for your residents.
Lots of you see posts and wonderful things other AC's do and arrange and then feel inadequate or limited because you have no budget or very little budget.
Firstly, work within the remit of what you have and your capabilities and most importantly those of your residents.
Some AC's do different themed activities on whatever recognized day it is for example, hug a tree day, this kind of activity planning is too busy in my opinion.
I would encourage you to stick to the main cultural themes for your residents, the odd occasional international themed day that you feel is relevant to your residents is okay and can be fun.
Particularly if you are working with dementia residents, keep it simple and relevant and more inclusive of whatever they like to do, and always include those things in your planning.
As we have Easter coming up I have listed practical low budget activities you can plan-
Easter Egg Garland- Cut out Easter egg shapes and get the residents to paint them and decorate them and tie them together and hang them up.
Make Pace Eggs- This is a British tradition of boiling normal hen eggs and using food dye to colour them and they where eaten over Easter and given as gifts.
Make Easter Themed Biscuits - Go to the internet, look for a simple recipe and bake and use Easter themed cookie cutters.
Simnel Cake - Make a traditional Easter cake it is a fruit cake and has rolled marzipan icing on it and 12 balls of marzipan placed around the top of it and one in the centre to represent Christ and the 12 disciples.
Bake Cup Cakes- Asda do a 25p cake mix all you do is add an egg and mix it and divide into your cake ups. Once baked let the residents decorate them.
Egg Race- Make your own egg race track and get residents to roll their boiled eggs and see how far they go.
Egg and Spoon Race- Use boiled eggs and a table spoon and create a space that you wheel people up and down to do a race of those who can walk can walk the race.
Easter Egg Hunt- Place eggs around the care home, gardens etc and get the residents and their relatives involved to hunt them out.
Easter Service- Arrange for an Easter Service to be held in the home or arrange for those who can to attend their local church .
Local Pet Rescue Centre Visit- Ask your local pet rescue centre if they would bring in their rabbits and other animals for a short visit for an Easter treat for your residents.
Easter Cards and Baskets- Make Easter cards and baskets to be given out to friends and loved ones.
Easter Tea Time Party- Invite relatives and friends to come for tea and use your finest china, sing songs together to have a good time.
Easter Bonnet Competition- Get old hats or visit the pound shop and get ribbons, cut out pictures , etc and make an Easter bonnet and get the manager to judge the best one.
Easter Raffle- Ask for donations from staff, family, local business and do a raffle and raise some money for your resident's fund.
Reminiscence- Talk about Easter how it was for them when they were growing up and ask everyone to share their experience. Talk about traditions people practiced.
I hope you have found this blog useful and feel inspired to celebrate Easter, it is a wonderful time of the year with nature providing beautiful flowers and the birds nesting etc.
Online FB Group Support
I hear all too often the AC role is isolating so I have built up an online community to help support other AC's worldwide in our little hub.
Lots of special promotions, free giveaways and a great resource of files on activities is available to all members free.
You can join the group here -
.https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup
I also do a monthly newsletter you can sign up here and get my free eBook-
To get your free copy of our ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly"
Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1
I hear all too often the AC role is isolating so I have built up an online community to help support other AC's worldwide in our little hub.
Lots of special promotions, free giveaways and a great resource of files on activities is available to all members free.
You can join the group here -
.https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup
I also do a monthly newsletter you can sign up here and get my free eBook-
To get your free copy of our ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly"
Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1
Happy Easter in advance.
Wishing you all well and until next time keep shining .
Love,
Ann Marie xxx
