Back to Nature: An Outdoor Course
Americans now spend 90% of their lives totally indoors! It’s not just your tan that suffers from a shut in lifestyle. According to mass amounts of research, being in nature can improve your health, mood, outlook, longevity, concentration, and life overall. We have seen all of the warnings on news programs about the effects not being outdoors is having on our children. What isn’t being addressed is the effect it is having on our seniors. The amount of time spent outdoors dramatically decreases as we age. Add in lack of consistent transportation and the same view day in and day out and we’ve got an epidemic. This course aims to provide you with some helpful information about the benefits of time spent outdoors while arming you with an arsenal of great outdoor activities to get your residents breathing some fresh air…and yourself.
Utilize our easy to print format in the Click N Print section to make a quick reference binder with all of the activities provided within this online workshop!
- Provide student with a myriad of activity ideas within separate activity categories.
- Provide insight into benefits of outdoor activity.
- Provide a quick reference binder for the student to utilize within their own facilities.
Workshop Content:
- Outdoor Statistics
- Benefits of Seniors Being Outdoors
- Nature Deficit Disorder
- Earthing
- Back to Nature Activities
- Indoor Nature Activities
- Physical Outdoor Activities
- Outdoor Parties
- Resident Outdoor Assessment
Bucket of Games: Part I
Running out of activity ideas? Need a refresher in some of the safety standards concerning activities, like Alzheimer appropriate and food related? Consider this the course for you. Along with all of the information about safety provisions, you will learn the best approaches to each listed activity type and numerous planned activities to incorporate into your activity program. This course is designed to help you think about different activities types in a new way to promote the creation of an exciting and varied activity calendar.
Utilize our easy to print format in the Click N Print section to make a quick reference binder with all of the activities provided within this online workshop!
- Understand Alzheimer's disease; the warning signs, typical age-related change vs. Alzheimer's, and the best approach for planning for this niche.
- Learn new Alzheimer appropriate activities to incorporate into your activity program.
- Better understand the evolution of arts & crafts, their importance in quality of life, and raising expectations for capable residents.
- Learn new Arts & Crafts activities to incorporate into your activity program.
- Ability to create meaningful clubs & committees through departmental, facility, and resident inquiry.
- Learn new Clubs & Committees to incorporate into your activity program.
- Understand the basics for handling food safely; the steps necessary for proper shopping, preparation, thawing, cooking, serving, refreezing and storage.
- Learn new Food related activities to incorporate into your activity program.
- Interpret the different affects physical impairments may hold for the residents.
- Determine the physical needs of each resident through the discovery process (a guide is provided to help you determine the abilities each resident is capable of based on their listed impairments).
- Using music to determine resident mood and create the ideal environment for the scheduled activity.
- Learn new Physical & Musical activities to incorporate into your activity program.
- Understand the benefits to motivating your resident and raising participation levels.
- Learn new Resident Motivation activities to incorporate into your activity program.
- Utilizing the staff to benefit resident's quality of life through staff motivation and appreciation.
- Learn new Staff Motivation activities to incorporate into your activity program.
Bucket of Games: Part II
In continuation of our very popular Bucket of Games: Part I…we present Bucket of Games: Part II. This course gives a comprehensive overview to five different activity types including physical, cognitive, sensory stimulation, reminiscing, fundraisers, and adaptations. Basically, everything that you missed from Part I is included here, in great detail, and still in an easy to print format. This course is everything you need to revamp your activity calendar.
Utilize our easy to print format in the Click N Print section to make a quick reference binder with all of the activities provided within this online workshop!
- Understand the importance of physical activities, specifically related to the elderly population.
- Learn new physical activities to incorporate into your activity program.
- Better understand the ways cognitive activities, balanced with consistency, can create big differences in their residents mental capacities.
- Learn new cognitive activities to incorporate into your activity program.
- Learn techniques for designing activities for residents suffering with Alzheimer's/Dementia.
- Learn new sensory stimulation to incorporate into your activity program.
- Understand the principles of Reminiscence Therapy, its importance, and how to put this therapy into action.
- Learn new reminiscing activities to incorporate into your activity program.
- Determine the physical needs of each resident through the discovery process (a guide is provided to help you determine the abilities each resident is capable of based on their listed impairments).
- Utilize a 10 step guide to planning a successful fundraiser.
- Learn new fundraisers to incorporate into your activity program.
- Learn ways in which you can adapt other activities to suit the needs of a specific resident or condition.
Connecting Generations: Intergenerational Programs
This course will provide the Activity Director (AD) with the reasons that fostering inter-generational relationships are so beneficial for both younger and older populations. Spending time with each other, being involved with each other’s activities, and tending to each other’s needs gives each group a reason to live more fulfilling lives. Small children bring joy and delight to the elderly just by being in their presence. When teens/college students listen to and appreciate the elderly reminiscing about life experiences it gives the elderly pride and purpose in life. Many examples of existing intergenerational programs, ideas for bringing the generations together, arts and crafts projects, group activities, and educational activities are included in this course.
- Upon completion the student will understand how intergenerational relationships benefit both young and old.
- The student will understand the importance of implementing programming that creates social connections between residents and children/teens/college students through activities.
- Upon completion the student will have many new ideas that will inspire her to start her own intergenerational program in her facility or in the community.
- The student will have a variety of projects, activities, and educational materials that may be incorporated directly into her activity programming.
Workshop Content:
- Family Traditions of the Past
- Where We are Today
- Preschools within Nursing Homes
- Intergenerational Programs Benefitting Nursing Homes
- Intergenerational Programs In the Community
- Arts and Crafts Projects
- Group Activities
- Educational Activities
Creativity - "Activities that Inspire!"
Upon successful completion of the course you will have 5 clock hours of continuing education.
- The student will explore the sources of Human Potential and Creativity within our seniors.
- The student will understand that Creative activities connects the present with memories of the past.
- The student will also learn planning skills to Inspire creativity in their residents.
- The student will learn to plan creative activities based on the examples and the resources provided.
Culture Connections: Connecting Residents with Communities and The World
Whether you are new to senior activity departments or a veteran, you can have burnout, down time on creativity, or just get stuck. Using different cultural influences are a great way to add some spice to existing activities and to explore new areas with your residents. Hopefully you can take away new ideas and inspiration to open your facility up to the world!
- Focusing on physical programming and integrating physical games, common exercises or music from other cultures.
- Cognitive focus and interest can be achieved while exploring activities that challenge some and inspire others.
- How to use sensory stimulation with music crafting décor and color while incorporating new activities.
- Creating meaningful social gatherings with residents through food, drink, music and of course culture.
Workshop Content:
- Domains of Wellness
- Current/Past Culture Influences
- Folklore/History/Trivia/Current News
- Food/Drink
- Sports/Games
- Language/Symbols/Alphabets
- Crafts
- Music/Travel Movies/Documentaries
- Flags/Colors/Maps/Royalty/Political Systems
- Displays & Decor
- Animals/Nature/Flowers/Climate
- Religion/Spiritual Practices/Beliefs
Flower Power: Enhancing Lives Through Gardening
This course will provide the Activity Director (AD) with the reasons that gardening is so beneficial and therapeutic to the aging population. Tending to plants, being outdoors, gardening, and reminiscing about gardening experiences give new meaning to the lives of those who have lost their independence and purpose in life. Many gardening ideas, group activities, event ideas, establishing a garden calendar, and actual projects are included in this course.
- Upon completion the student will understand how horticulture benefits the elderly cognitively, psychologically, socially, and physically.
- The student will understand the importance of implementing programming that creates social connections between residents and their families through gardening.
- Upon completion the student will have a tool chest of new ideas for starting her own garden in her facility with the help of community organizations.
- The student will have a variety of gardening projects that may be incorporated directly into her activity programming.
Workshop Topics:
- History of Horticultural Therapy
- Benefits of Gardening
- Activities for the Residents--Active and Passive
- Starting a Garden at your Facility
- Safety Issues
- Events
- Projects
- Outdoor Statistics
Gender Specific Planning - Men Mania
Appropriate planning is necessary to provide the same level of quality care to both female and male residents. It can be daunting at times to select activities that may appeal to the senior male. This workshop is designed to breakdown some key things to consider when planning for this gender.
- 1:1- One on One Activities
- Group- Both Male and Female Participation
- Club- A Men's Only Activity
- Alzheimer- Lower Level Skills Required
Giving Back: A Year of Charitable Activities
It is better to give then it is to receive. We have all heard this our whole lives and with age and experience we can truly understand this to be true. Especially in our field of work, after all it is this sentiment that gives our jobs so much meaning. The truth is it gives all of our lives meaning, including your residents. One of the best way to fill their hearts and feed their souls is to help them to do the same for others. Mistakenly, some of your residents my feel that they have less to give due to their age, physical limitations, place of residence, lack of transportation…whatever it is they feel holds them back from contributing to society. However, they have the one thing that is essential in giving to another: time. This workshop aims to provide you with the opportunity to create charitable activities for your residents to participate in the whole year through. Make a game of giving for them…see how many lives you all can light up together for your Great Year of Giving!
- Help the student understand the great health benefits that can be achieved for their residents through the art of giving.
- Create more meaning in the lives of the residents.
- Create connections between the activity department and other departments, as well as the community.
- Offer activity ideas for ongoing, yearly charitable contributions and specific monthly activities.
- Have resources for developing and contributing in other areas of interest to the Activity Director and the residents.
- Understand how to setup your on charity for a cause that matters to you.
- Health Benefits of Giving
- Ongoing Activities
- Monthly Activities
- Start Your Own Charity
- Charitable Resources
Hosting a Bible Study Course
My desire is to assist you in “Hosting a Bible Study.” I will provide the basics of studying the Bible so that you will have some foundation to be better prepared to share with your residents. Studying the Bible can help you see the hope and joy that only Jesus can bring. I hope this Truth is life changing for you as it was for me. I heard an author on the radio this afternoon describe the Bible so well--“Every story whispers His name.” I pray that you and your residents will benefit from the many resources that I have provided you with to hold your own Bible study that comes alive with the truth of Jesus Christ.
- Upon completion the student will understand that the Bible is reliable and is the book inspired by God, written through men, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- The student will be shown study helps to understand the Bible.
- The student will be able to plan a lesson with the many resources provided.
- Upon completion the student will be able to hold an inspiring lesson that keeps their residents engaged.
- The student will be provided a list of Bible study guides, devotionals, hymnals, scriptures/Bibles, ministry resources, and gospel message tools to use with their residents.
Workshop Content:
- Bible Background
- Understanding the Bible
- Planning a Lesson
- Hosting a Bible Study
- In-room Ministry
- Bible Study Materials & Resources
- Conclusion
Just for the Theme of It: Thematic Programming
Calendar planning is a fun part of our job, however sometimes it can be difficult to put together a month that “flows” or seems cohesive. Often, Activity Professionals think that planning around a theme can be time consuming and not effective. However, this course will get you thinking in a different way! Theme programming, whether daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly, can help you plan new programs for your residents, get your interdisciplinary team involved with activities, and can even help with your activity participation. This course will offer you the basics on how to implement themes, as well as give you some great ideas to get you started.
- Understand the role themes already play with our residents
- Learn how to develop themes for a time frame (daily, weekly, monthly and yearly)
- Learn how to incorporate your regularly scheduled programming into your theme
- Find theme ideas to get you started
Workshop Content: Upon completion of this workshop, the professional will have learned about:
- The Importance of Themes
- Getting Started
- Tying it All Together
- Getting the Team Involved
- Increasing Participation
- Ideas to Inspire
Likes, Shares, and Faves: Social Media and Your Activity Program
Social media is a part of our society, whether we like it or not. For all of its flaws, social media can offer you a way to reach your residents in new ways. This course will start you off on the right foot, talking about internet safety and privacy, before diving into how to choose a social media platform for your activity department. You’ll learn how to coordinate with the marketing department as well as be inspired with plenty of ideas on how to make social media a part of your already engaging activity program. Participants will learn information in the course and then apply it with question prompts to spark conversation and further exploration for community-specific application.
- Understand who uses social media and how to interact with this target audience
- Learn three ways to keep your staff, your community, and your residents safe when using social media for your activity department
- Learn how to develop hashtags and captions
- Find ideas to get you started
Workshop Content:
- Introduction
- Social Media Statistics
- Protecting Yourself and Your Residents
- Waivers and Notifications
- State and Federal Regulations
- Internet Safety
- Equipment Suited to Your Budget
- Pick a Platform
- Social Media for Marketing
- >Social Media for Programming
- Checklist for Establishing a Safe Online Presence
- Conclusion
Loads of Activities for Bringing Generations Together
By: Allison Lewis Bennett, AD/TXC
Workshop Topics:
- Activity Assistant Overview Page
- Understanding the Resident(s) Page
- The Resident Interview (assessment) Page
- Activities RAP Guidelines Page
- Meaningfully Engaged Page
- Understanding Activity Programs Page
- Activity Analysis Breakdown Page
- Multi-Departmental Form Page
- What's Legal? Page
- Activity Terms Page
- Tips Section
Person-Centered Planning Made Easy
Person-Centered Planning Made Easy
By: Allison Lewis Bennett, AD/TXC
Workshop Objectives:
- Learn how to meet the needs of many through thoughtful planning.
- Apply psycho-social techniques to enhance meaning.
- Learn how to adapt all activities and easily make them Person-Centered.
Workshop Topics:
- History of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
- Physiological Needs
- Safety Needs
- Love and Belonging Needs
- Esteem Needs
- Cognitive Needs
- Aesthetic Needs
- Self-Actualization Needs
- Transcendence Needs
Pet Therapy: Unconditional Love
There are a wide variety of meanings for the term Pet Therapy. There are different kinds of animals used in different types of settings and there are many purposes for the different types of pet therapy. In this course I will cover one type of pet therapy, called Animal Assisted Activities (AAA), and will discuss dogs mostly. However, many different animals can be used if screened appropriately, and you will see in the “Teacher Tales” that there are a number of illustrations that reveal this.
- Upon completion the student will understand the concept of unconditional love between a pet therapy animal and a person.
- The student will know the different purposes of therapy pets.
- Upon completion the student will understand the many benefits of pet therapy.
- The student will read a wide variety of Teacher Tales to illustrate the benefits.
- The student will be given information on several national pet therapy organizations that they can draw from to get their own pet therapy program started.
Workshop Content:
- Love—Our Basic Need
- What is Pet Therapy?
- Benefits--Importance of Pet Therapy
- Pet Therapy Visits
- In-House Therapy Pets
- Inviting A Team to Your Facility
- Resources
- Information and Sample Forms of National Organizations
Planning a Virtual Vacation!
What is a Virtual Vacation? A Virtual Vacation is a specially written guide, which allows the resident(s) to travel from the comfort of their own room or the facility. The activity is a story, which takes the resident(s) through the vacation as if they are actually experiencing it. The Virtual Vacation is meant to bring everything to the senses that one would normally experience if they were to visit the physical location or time period. Taking a Virtual Vacation allows the resident(s) to travel without ever having to leave and help them to break up the monotony of daily life. Keep in mind you do not have to simply go to another country. You can go anywhere during any time period and re-create themes and worlds out of almost any vacation! This activity is designed to include as many or as little residents/staff/volunteers/community in the planning process as you desire, from start to finish!
- Understand the components that must be addressed in order to successfully plan a Virtual Vacation.
- Understand how to evaluate resident’s needs and interests in order to interpret them into a more customized Virtual Vacation.
- Establish outside connections and available resources to incorporate this activity into many different arenas of your activity program.
- Learn how to plan and present your own Virtual Vacation from start to finish.
Science for Seniors
Science for Seniors is a fun and fascinating continuing education course that is meant to inspire curiosity and learning. This course will guide you step by step in the use of everyday materials such as vinegar and baking soda to help residents discover their world. You’ll learn holiday science ideas from Valentine’s candy that floats to bringing a Halloween creature to life! And unfold before residents’ eyes how baby chicks breathe inside the solid egg shell.
- Improve cognitive function
- Pick interesting topics and locate supplies
- Planning scientific experiments with accurate scientific information and resource ideas.
- Recreate 12 easy scientific experiments with your residents.
Workshop Topics:
- Reasons for Adding Science to Your Activity Calendar
- How to Setup and Run a Science Experiment
- Monthly Experiments
Therapeutically Enhanced Group Activities
This workshop focuses on relevant literature, experiential exercises, and skills that an activity professional would need to “therapeutically enhance” an activity group. This workshop rose out of a concern that older adults in the nursing home were not provided with enough opportunities to grow and develop. It incorporates theories of lifespan development, tenets of life review, existential-person-centered psychology, and basic listening skills. The intent is for activity professionals to use the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they have gained from this workshop to “enhance” their reminiscence-based activity groups.
- To add value to activity groups by incorporating psychological knowledge and principles, specifically the tenets of life review and person-centered psychology
- To improve psychosocial functioning
- To increase life satisfaction in the nursing home
- To help activity professionals more effectively address topics such as death, meaninglessness, isolation, and despair
Workshop Content: Upon completion of this workshop, the professional will have learned about:
- Lifespan development in older adulthood
- Ego Integrity (life satisfaction) versus despair
- Mental illnesses commonly found in the nursing home
- Relevance of existential-person-centered(person centered) psychology for older adults
- The process of life review
- Ways to utilize life review and basic listening skills with your residents
Visual Arts for the Aging Population
This course will provide the Activity Director (AD) and Recreational Therapist with the reasons that visual arts are so beneficial to the aging population who have experienced loss in a variety of ways in their lives. Also included are examples of those whose lives have been transformed because someone took the time to work with them in the creative process. There is a list that accompanies the course with art projects and their instructions.
- Upon completion the student will have an understanding of the cognitive and psychological and benefits associated with art and creativity.
- The student will understand the importance of implementing programming that creates social connections between residents.
- Upon completion the student will have techniques, ideas and tools that will help guide them in approaching and planning artistic activities effectively.
- The student will have a variety of art projects that may be incorporated directly into their activity programming.
- What Is Art?
- Cognitive and Psychological Benefits of Art
- Importance of Resident Connections
- Effective Activity Approaches
- Art Projects
Volunteers - Lifeline of Your Activity Program
Volunteers are essential for bringing the community into your facility, which is now your resident’s home. They come from all walks of life and have many talents and gifts. Your volunteers can be of all ages which help to bridge the generation gap. They can hold group activities, minister to those who are bedfast, work with you on special events, and assist with fundraising activities. You, as the Activity Director, need to find the right people in the community who will have the heart to work with your elderly population. In the following course you will get some inspiring ideas to build your volunteer base and to retain them, so that you can hold activities that will energize your residents to give them a better quality of life.
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Upon completion students will understand the importance of having a number of volunteers to assist in their Activity Program.
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Students will have a host of ideas and resources for recruiting volunteers in their community.
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Upon completion students will have tools to use to interview and orient the new volunteers to work in their facility.
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Students will have a list of volunteer positions that will help them craft a volunteer program.
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Fundraising ideas will be provided that the Activity Director can use for funds to purchase special items for the department. Volunteers will help to make the students’ dreams happen.
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Students will be given helpful tips to retain the valuable volunteers that have become involved in their facility.
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Teacher testimonies will be included to illustrate volunteer programs that have been successful.
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Forms will be available for students to use. They can also be used as a model for creating their own forms
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Resources will be available for the students’ further exploration.
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Why You Need Volunteers
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Recruiting
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Interview
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Orientation
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Volunteer Positions
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Fundraising
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Retaining Volunteers
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Teacher Testimonies
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Forms
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Resources