We all love hearing a nice compliment from someone else. Why not organize a program that encourages residents to say something nice to one another. You could sit in a circle and ask each person to say one nice thing about each resident. You could do a happy hour event where residents walk around and share something nice about each other while enjoying a good beer or wine. Or, you could do an awards ceremony, honoring all those nice residents in your community.
World No Tobacco Day brings awareness of the health issues and dependency issues related to tobacco use. World No Tobacco Day stresses the importance of making people all over the world aware of the health dangers of using tobacco. It also stresses the addictive nature of tobacco use.
This is a great opportunity to invite a guest speaker to your community to discuss the impact of smoking and second hand smoking to your residents. Even if they aren't smokers themselves, it can arm them with information to keep themselves and their families safe and helps them to spread the word.
We all love feeling like royalty!
A tiara transforms us into a queen, princess, duchess and puts us in the middle of a fairytale (don't worry, your male residents can wear crowns to participate too).
Experience the joy of wearing a tiara and give your residents the royal treatment by having a royal dinner or "Ball", pamper them with pedicure or go to a higher end restaurant to experience a fun night out!
What a great opportunity to schedule an outing to your local museum? International Museum Day is a great opportunity to visit, appreciate and support your local museum. Organize a tour for your residents with museum staff to show them around.
Did you know that the largest museum in the world is the Louvre in Paris, France? On your way to the museum quiz your residents with some trivia!
Most communities have nurses on staff and this is a day to celebrate the contribution and commitment they have to your residents. This day raises awareness to the importance of nurses in the care, comfort and wellbeing of all of us, especially during these last few years of the pandemic. May 12th is the day that was chosen because it's Florence Nightengale's birthday.
Encourage your residents to show nurses the appreciation they so deserve, by doing a champagne and cheers event, where all of the nurses on staff are invited. Residents go around and share the impact of each staff member and raise a glass to cheers them. You can add a special touch by giving bouquets of flowers to each staff member.
This is a great opportunity to recognize residents who are retired nurses in your community as well.
Celebrate the freedom we have to have news and journalism in our lives, delivering us the information we need to know to make decisions in our day to day lives. World Press Freedom Day recognizes the value of freedom of expression, and the sacrifices journalist have made to attain this freedom. It was created, and is sponsored, by the United Nations. While we enjoy this freedom, freedom of the press, and freedom of expression, is not a given right in many countries.
Organize a current event or news discussion today to talk about what's currently happening around the world and express appreciation for all the information we're able to read, listen to and watch.
Celebrate all those amazing Mama's in your community by honouring and recognizing them in your programming on Mother's Day. Here are some ideas to consider:
Go to a movie matinee
Organize an afternoon high tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, cookies and hot or cold tea
A day at the spa where everyone gets pampered with manicures, pedicures and facials
Have a night out at the theatre in your local community
Have a special dinner for all the Mom's where there kids and grandkids are invited
Cinco de Mayo on May 5th commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla. And funny enough, it’s not really celebrated in Mexico the way it is in North America. But, no reason to not celebrate in your community.
The Cinco de Mayo Celebration program promises a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and community. Your residents can enjoy a festive atmosphere complete with lively music, colorful decorations, and engaging activities. Staff are encouraged to support residents throughout the event, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable celebration for all.
Resources
Did you know May Day is May 1st?
The first day of May was celebrated by giving baskets with flowers or treats to a neighbour. The trick was to hang the basket on the door knob, ring the doorbell and run before your neighbour knew who left it.
So why not do this fun tradition in your community?
Supplies:
8x8 Square Piece of Paper
Ribbon
Flowers, food or treats
Gift Tag and Pen
Tape
Scissors
Hole Punch
How to create a May Day Basket:
This will be a nice craft program that will also surprise others in your community.
This is a great way to involve community members, staff and familes and friends of residents in programming in your community. You can also use this program as an opportunity to raise money for something special in your community or to donate to charity.
For this large group program, you'll need some boxes and supplies to decorate with, food, and some willing volunteers to act as auctioneers and support.
You invite people from the area you live to come to your community and purchase a decorated box lunch, decorated & made by residents & staff. The box lunches are auctioned off and each community member purchases a box and eats with the resident who participated in making it.
You can make this as special as you'd like, by inviting people like the Mayor or Chief of Police, local TV celebrities and more. You can add entertainment, prize giveaways and decorations around your community. It's a great opportunity to engage with the community your residents live in.
