Many residents are turning to computers and tablets to communicate and have fun while Covid-19 is keep them in social isolation. But what about the many residents who never learned how to use technology well? They are at a huge disadvantage in currently in terms of being able to socialize and keep themselves connected and entertained.
Introducing many workshops on the basics of computers is an ideal solution. Using a windows or mac computer or tablet is invaluable. Not only that, workshops can be given on using specific communication apps like Zoom, Google Hangouts or Facebook to keep residents communicating with their loved ones. On top of that, residents can learn to use the internet to quell their curiosity and create their own entertainment! Having workshops on using accessing online information will teach residents how to read online newspapers, search the internet and watch interesting videos!
Finally, these very workshops can be delivered remotely by anyone using the videoconferencing tools the residents learned in the first place. These are activities that reinforce the material being taught as the class is being attended! Not many other classes can say the same.
Here is a short list of workshop ideas:
Many residents are very talented singers. Hosting a karaoke night over zoom, connected to resident's room by a TV or a computer, would allow these residents who love to sing to show off their skill, and permit other residents to enjoy songs. It could be a short or long activity depending on what residents would like.
The songs for the activity can be picked from resident suggestions! They'd be enthralled to hear classics from their. The music tracks can be played from YouTube while residents sing over them. Finally, everyone participating can be equipped with their favourite snacks and drink and enjoy the music!
Residents often have the most depth and breadth of knowledge of their family history of anyone else. What a great opportunity, while everyone is social distancing, to gather all of their and their family's photos into a family phot album or scrapbook and tell the story of their family.
Residents can gather family photos and memories by contacting their siblings, cousins, children and anyone else. Describing their project, they can ask their family to send them physical and digital copies of the memories for collection in an album.
Here is an article discussing how to go about it in more depth.
Read the original idea here.
Like learning a new language, reading or writing, learning to play a musical instrument at an older age is extremely doable and enriching. Residents with their own instruments might consider lending it for others to learn basic note playing.
Alternatively, a very inexpensive and easy to learn instrument is the Ukulele. This is probably the easiest instrument to play. Since it only has 4 strings and no need for a pick like with a guitar, so you can easily learn simple chords and be playing in no time. The instrument itself is very small which makes it easily portable, and lightweight. Most people can actually pick up chords from the uke in as little as a few weeks, so it also proves to be an instrument you can learn quickly, and possibly advance to another instrument from.
Here is a video of what learning the Ukulele did for one retirement community.
Click here for the original idea.
Millions of students and foreigners are learning English at this moment, and most all of them are looking for a conversation partner. Residents can spend some of their time having a short conversation with some of these students and providing a valuable service.
Alternatively, an arrangement can be made with local primary or secondary schools offering second languages classes in a resident's native language to have them appear over Zoom and talkj to the class for a few minutes.
This article by Matador Networks discusses the Brazilian service CNA which connects residents of care communities that speak English to Brazilian students learning the language.
You're never too late to learn another language! Actually, research shows that learning a new language in your golden years keeps you healthier and your mind sharper by promoting neuroplasticity - amazing!
York University and the American Academy of Neurology report that switching from one language to the other activates areas of the brain responsible for executive functioning, the same area that is responsible for completing tasks. Utilizing this part of the brain often can decrease cognitive decline and can delay the initial effects of dementia.
In addition, as residents learn the basics of another language spoken by a neighbor they will make new friends!
Here is an article pointing the way to the best FREE language-learning apps to use with your residents.
Reading is amazing for anyone's mind, but sometimes it can get repetitive. Instead, residents can achieve a sense of accomplishment by creating an audio version of a written work for someone else to enjoy.
LibriVox is a service that allows individual volunteers to record any number of written works in the public domain for others to access for free as audiobooks! Signing up as a volunteer is free and you do not need any prior experience to volunteer for LibriVox. All you need is a voice, some free software, a computer, and an inexpensive microphone.
Here is the volunteer page at LibriVox for more information.
You'll also find an information page about recording from LibriVox for more information.
Companies like Ancestry.com and 23andMe offer at-home testing kits that can trace your genetics back dozens of generations. These results can be a great starting point for conversations about family history.
Another way to research your family history is to use free sources for genealogical records (the study of families, family history, and the tracing lineages). Here is a site by the Government of Canada to get your resident started.
Check out the original idea here.
Many senior living communities are stocking up on materials for popular crafts like knitting and crochet, two great ways to stay busy while listening to the radio or watching TV. Even dementia patients can respond well to supplies like soft yarn that provide sensory stimulation.
Also, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, seniors who engage in crafts like knitting and crocheting have a diminished chance of developing mild cognitive impairment and memory loss.
There are also physical advantages to knitting and crochet. The actual movements involved to knit and crochet can help improve dexterity and fine motor skills. By coordinating the small muscles in the movements of the hands and fingers with the eyes, seniors improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
This is a perfect activity for residents to learn while winter sets in.
Check out the original idea here.
Many communities are using technology to take “virtual trips” to foreign countries like Italy and Spain. The residents of Brookdale 119 in Overland Park, Kansas, got to “fly away” for the evening. Staff, dressed as flight attendants, performed a fun safety demonstration and pushed a snack cart down the hallway for a unique, social-distance-friendly happy hour.
This is a fun way to 'dress up' a happy hour for your residents who can enjoy their snacks from their room.
Check out the video Brookdale posted of their activity here.
