Secret Pal
submitted by Bonnie Knudson of Highland Cove Assisted Living on September 15, 2003

Objective: To create a feeling of belonging and importance.

Description: Each associate chose one or more residents to be a "Secret Pal" to. Each day during the week the "Secret Pal" (associate) would leave a small gift, card, goodie (dietary information was given with each resident name), or decorate the door of the resident's room. The surprise was left at their table or their door with a note saying" "From Your Secret Pal". At the end of the week we held a party. All the residents and the associates were invited to attend. The name of the resident was read and then the name of the associate who was their "secret Pal. The Secret Pal then served a refreshment to the resident. This gave them time to get acquainted and laugh about the fun of the week. It was a very successful activity for the staff as much as the residents. Itwas a wonderful way for everyone to get to know each other and for the resident to feel important. They would love to share their surprise with other residents. On a scale of 1 to 10.....this was a 10!!

January Winter Picnic
Mary Gould of Cordata Healthcare and Rehabilitation on December 16, 2001

Size: 5--20

Equipment: cooking supplies to make potato salad and baked beans (in a can) and fried chicken (frozen strips), and checkered napkins and table cloths

Objective: to create memories and to stimulate socialization and to meet needs to create via cooking and decorating. To stimulate senses too

Description: In the morning place baked beans (from a can) in a crock pot, and place in a room where residents can smell the beans heating. Also, bring in boiled, un-peeled potatoes and eggs. Have residents peel each and chop. Have residents chop onion and pickles. Then have them mix this together with mayo and discuss the way they all like to season potato salad. Have them season and taste until it meets group approval. Then set the dining tables where the residents will eat with paper plates and checked table cloths and napkins etc. to make a picnic atmosphere. If not all your residents can attend , because of dietary restriction, be sure you have your picnic in a room away from those who cannot join in , to avoid hurt feelings. Pop your chicken (frozen and boneless) in the oven. When ready, let your residents serve themselves family style. Ask the kitchen to provide drinks and dessert. This activity causes them to reminisce and to have fun creating the food. They will probably eat lots, because they can smell it cooking and because they can eat family style. It is a wonderful way to beat the winter blues.

Winter Carnival
submitted by Yvon Trépanier of Centre Montarville on September 14, 2000

Size: large group

Equipment: we made a boat with plastic board and had accessories from a boat store

Description: Here in canada winter is long and cold. this is a week long activity in mid winter and brings a bit of sunshine in every residents life. This year's theme was the "Love Boat." The main idea was a couple who was inviting everybody on a cruise because at the end of the week they where getting married! (for fun). So we had two willing resident to help us and it was fun all the way. Every resident had a passport and every day when he came he got it stamp on his passport. We had a casino, all kind of activities and on the last day, I, as the captain, was able to marry them! There was a big banquet with the help of the kitchen and we had a dance with a live Caribbean band! Lots of fun. (sorry for my english).

Balloon Stomp Submitted by Lisa Spivey, CTRS

Instructions: Write the letters that spell out "Happy New Year" on 1 inch square pieces of paper. (Have as many sets as you have teams for.) Place the squares inside as many balloons as there are letters in Happy New Year (12), one letter per square. Blow the balloons up with the letters inside. Place the balloons in a large trash bag. Place the trash bag across the room from each team. Have the team race to the bag, bust all the balloons and try to spell out "Happy New Year" The first team to retrieve all the letters and spell out Happy New Year wins. this activity can be used on any holiday with the substitution of the letters to be placed inside the balloons, esp. on Fourth of July & New Years Day activities when fireworks is not an option. Have a poppin' stompin' good time.