March is the month of St. Patrick’s Day, leprechaun, shamrocks, green beer and all things Irish. If you are an activities manager at a nursing home planning Irish-themed activities for this month, here are some activity suggestions to consider.
Trivia games can be about all things green or about Ireland. A party theme could be the same and there are plenty of crafts to do in the spirit of the Irish too! Ireland is well known for its legendary leprechaun, pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, shamrocks and beer. While it’s probably best not to serve residents beer, you can serve many green-colored drinks and use food coloring to change the appearance of many plates of food. Dressing in the spirit of the Irish is also very easy for you and the residents, just wear green!
Palm Sunday and Easter sometimes fall in this month. If you choose to celebrate these dates or recognize them for your religious residents, it’s also possible to find resources for religious crafts and curiosities online. Christmas and Easter are usually the times to introduce gospel songs that everyone is willing to sing together. So dust off the CDs and sing along with the DVDs if you don’t already use them, and get some instruments to play along with, if that’s your thing.
Is spring the one you’d rather focus on than the Irish for a month’s theme? The activities you can do for spring are endless. It’s a good time to get some potting soil and seeds. The smell of the rich compost is a lovely spring smell and all the older adults can be a part of planting seeds in the soil to get the spring flowers started. In a few weeks they will be ready to transplant outdoors or into larger pots for everyone to enjoy.
Spring crafts could focus on butterflies, flowers, birdhouses, and bird feeders. These can be relatively simple or more complex for those that require less help and supervision. From glitter and pom poms to sunflower seeds and wood, you can get quite creative with the crafts you choose to make. The good thing about crafts is that you can have several different ones for the elderly to choose their preference. Not all men want to make butterflies and flowers.
In keeping with the Spring theme for March activities, there are also plenty of outings to do. Everyone has been “cooped” indoors for months and needs to get outside, stretch, feel the sunlight on their faces and breathe in the spring air. Some outdoor activities will depend on where you live. Spring takes longer to arrive further north, but as it warms up, you can take seniors for a walk to a zoo, an open-air market, a park, or just going for a walk around the block.
Because it’s the beginning of spring, new changes, and new birth, March is a great time to consider small makeovers to freshen things up. From hairstyling and manicures to moving furniture and adding art and new images to many walls, in your common activity areas and in residents’ rooms. As everyone’s spirits lighten with the longer days and fresh air, have a group sing or invite a musician to your facility, someone you haven’t had before. Maybe a new and special talent. Spring is the time to try something new.
A sensory stimulation box could be a good activity for those who are bedridden. This could also be a spring theme, an Irish theme, or in keeping with a religious tone for Easter. The items you can use are stones, candles, flowers, chocolate coins, clover-shaped or cross-shaped items. Include a gospel CD, the Bible, or promises from the Scriptures in some other form. It’s also good to include images of Ireland, the outdoors in general, and different flowers.
After months of soups and stews, perhaps the older adults would like to try an ice cream cone or sundae. Ask them! They may have suggestions for other things they are looking forward to doing. Get their feedback and see where it takes you. March could be a great month for everyone.