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.
  

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.

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:

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

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:

APNCC Approved:
- 8 CE Hours -

 

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.

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.

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