Description: You can do the activity in a day or work on it each day of May.
1. On red paper write down the names of Wars/Spanish-American, World War I & II, Korean War, Vietnam War.
2.On white paper make Flags
3.On blue paper write down some for the words from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
4.Repeat colored paper pattern draw flowers
5.Write the names and some of the words to patriotic songs
6.Write down the names of a few people that your residents know that are in the military.
7.Then have your residents draw a few patriotic pictures.
8.Cut out red, white and blue shapes
9.Tape the red, white,& blue paper together to make one line.
10. Post it up for all to see at the LTC or ALF cook out.

International Luncheon
submitted by Anitra Ingram of Anson Community Hospital on July 25, 2001

Size: any number

Equipment: decorations for different countries, food

Objective: socialization, opportunity to experience other cultures.

Description: The staff, families and local businesses were asked to donate different dishes representing the country of their choice and to dress from that country. Residents from a nearby facility were also invited. While the residents gathered, we had music music to greet them as they entered the door. We also had the dining tables decorated from different countries. I had a song and dance that was performed for the residents. Afterwhich, music was played and the food was enjoyed by all.

The local newspaper came out and took pictures.

Equipment: Paper and pen

Description: Residents will write their own holiday poem for a season or holiday

Example- Mother's Day

M is for marvelous, that's my Mother.
O is for _________
T is for _________
H is for _________
E is for _________
R is for _________

Have the participants think of something about Mother that begins with all the letters in the word Mother.

You can use this for any holiday.

Box Lunch Auction
Lynne Hoover of Samaritan Keep Home on May 3, 2000

Size: 30-40

Equipment: Decorated boxes, Auctioneer, residents, community members, food, etc..

Objective: To involve the community members in a nursing home activity. Residents enjoy meeting new people from the community. It is also a good fundraiser for your facility.

Description: The Box Lunch Auction is a fundraiser for your facility. You invite people from the community to come to your facility and purchase a decorated box lunch. The box lunches are auctioned off and each community member purchasing a box will be eating with a resident. You can make it as special as you want; my facility has invited the mayor, sherrif, local TV stations, Councilmans, and others. We have also added entertainment to the program, along with prize give-aways. This program helped raised alot of money for our facility and allowed the people out in the community to see what living in a nursing home is all about.

Clown Day submitted by Susan White of Research Mental Health Services

Size: 8-30
Equipment: face painting, munchies, balloons, decorations
Objective: social interaction, humor, creativity

Description: Bring in a storyteller and have them recite "funny" stories. Have a juggler.  Have someone do simple magic tricks and teach the clients to do them. Have someone do face painting. And most importantly...bring in the clowns.  Have the staff and clients dress up as clowns.  Staff can put on a skit and involve the clients, too.