This week residents have celebrated the 1960’s by stepping back in time, with themed cooking club activities and arts and crafts, we also started our Easter celebrations on Palm Sunday.
Monday morning, we played a variety of games, improving hand-eye coordination through one-to-one games like matching picture pairs and spot the difference.
The pictures make eyes sharper while also increasing attention to detail.
Others spent the morning crafting brightly coloured 1960’s flower power inspired art.
That afternoon we enjoyed a 1960’s sing-a-long in the day lounge with musical instruments and song sheets we sung some of our favourite songs; ‘Hey Jude, Yellow Submarine and lots more.
Inspired by our weekly piano player, our keyboard came out for us to try our hand at piano playing. Scientists have found that even tinkling the piano keys strengthened white matter – brain tissue which degrades when memory and concentration problems set in.
Our Monday music therapy took place in our garden view lounges as well as our one-to-one sessions. Memorizing words, patterns, rhythms, and instructions. To participate and “make music,” participants must practice focusing.
Others took time to explore the garden and admire the spring bulbs that have bloomed.
Tuesday morning, we played board games first thing followed by a visit from our therapy pigmy goats who we find very amusing as they trot around the home.
That afternoon we had a fantastic session with our in-house physio, stretching and taking part in standing exercises before a fun physio game.
Our garden view lounge welcomed the delivery of spring flowers for our weekly flower arranging club.
We chose to design our flower arrangements either in a vase or we wrapped the stems into a bouquet with a little imagination, we created stunning displays and placed them around the home. When it comes to floral arrangements, all we need to do is mix and match different types and colours of flowers to make them look lovely.
Wednesday morning, we enjoyed the music of the beachboys, while playing sensory games on our Omi interactive magic table.
Others opted for a morning of therapeutic water colour painting or colouring, looking at the stunning flowers in the lounge we painted these fun spring pictures.
Our garden view lounge played a fabulous game of floor darts, we really love to play the large floor games and it’s so nice to see it bring the residents together as we all try to beat each other’s score from the throw before!
That afternoon, we took on a brain training game of hangman using words associated with the 1960’s.
We loved our ‘Tinker Time’ with our PAT dog Tinkerbelle, she comes into the home and we love to fuss over her, this has such a calming influence on everyone.
A fun game of domines took place in our garden view lounge.
Thursday morning, we played word games in the day lounge. Word games are among the many activities that can keep our mind entertained and engaged.
We also celebrated this lovely lady’s birthday, with cake and gifts while surrounded by loved ones.
Our coffee morning in our garden view lounge gave us the opportunity to talk about the daily news and goings on in the daily newspaper, while enjoying a hot drink and a lovely slice of cake.
Inspiring conversations were had about holidays using our conversation cards.
That afternoon, we played a group game of snakes and ladders.
Followed by our weekly florist club, arranging stunning flowers into floral oasis or vases.
With many of us having spent time arranging flowers for the church or village hall fetes, we love this weekly activity it brings us back so many happy memories.
Friday morning, we spent the morning making “Flower Fairy Cupcakes”. These lovely ladies gathered in the main lounge and helped Lynn mix, roll, and knead the ingredients before putting them into individual cake tins ready to go to the oven.
That afternoon, we welcomed singer David into the main lounge where we celebrated the 1960’s in style listening to wonderful songs while dancing along.
This lovely lady celebrated her 90th birthday in style with loved ones on Saturday morning.
This lovely lady spent her morning knitting squares for our blankets. Studies have shown that knitting for elderly provides a sense of relaxation and accomplishment as they see the finished project.
Saturday afternoon, we took on an assortment of jigsaw puzzles and shape games in our garden view lounge.
Others spent the morning reading the daily newspapers while listening to classical music.
That afternoon our weekend movie was played in the day lounge.
Also we played a “famous faces” picture game, identifying the famous face before hearing trivia about each person.
Sunday morning, our weekly church services were streamed across the home on TV or iPad, this gives us the opportunity to reflect and give thanks in a meaningful way.
We welcomed in our volunteer who comes every Sunday, she spends time taking part in activities and we love chatting with her.
That afternoon we made palm crosses, an Easter tradition and being Palm Sunday, a group of residents immersed themselves in the tradition. We chatted and discussed the meaning of Easter and palm crosses.
