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Leader Facilitation Guidelines for Group Activities
PLUS BONUS RECREATION TOOLS!
By Kim Grandal ACC/EDU, ACM www.recreativeresources.com
Activity and Recreation professionals play a crucial role in enhancing the lives of the elderly and
other individuals in various health care settings. No one denies that activities are fun and engaging
but there is a skill set involved and specific training required, along with an abundance of energy
and a warm, loving heart.
The following are some basic guidelines for facilitating a successful and meaningful group activity.
Be prepared! We often have spontaneous programs, but at the same time, many activities require that we have specific types of materials, props, music, and so on.
Make sure the activity is appropriate for functional level of the residents. Utilize sufficient/clean supplies and equipment. Arrange for transport of residents. All staff should assist in escorting residents to activities. Set up room and equipment appropriately Start activity on time according to
calendar but remember not all activities have to be listed on the calendar. Spontaneity is a great thing!
Introduce self to group. Make sure you can be heard! Welcome the group.
Explain the purpose of the activity
Provide appropriate instruction and guidance.
Explain rules (if applicable). Smile and be enthusiastic. Show awareness of residents’ skills and
interests. Utilize appropriate facilitation techniques (Adapting, Validation, RO, Remotivation, Humor,
Sensory Stimulation, Milieu Therapy, etc.) Utilize adaptive equipment/modification. Encourage residents’ independence. Utilize props and pictures. Make attempts to motivate uninvolved residents. Maintain resident safety Release restraints Encourage resident to resident interaction Appropriately deal with disruptive residents
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Parallel Programming Offer Parallel Programming to residents who are not engaged in the main activity. This is a technique in which residents who are not participating in the scheduled activity, are offered an opportunity to engage in individualized activity. *Can be 1:1 or in a group setting. Group/seat residents according to functional abilities and interests. Provide activities that meet the interests and abilities of the residents e.g. hand out magazines/books, offer pictures to color, provide manicures, encourage residents to put on makeup or comb hair, table games, diversional/sensory activities, range of motion, hand massage, talk one on one with residents, etc. Provide any meaningful activity the resident would enjoy! Praise all efforts
Encourage assistance from other departments End activity before resident interest is lost Thank residents for their participation Inform residents of the next activity or happening (lunch/dinner or next scheduled meeting
or activity) Clean up and set up room appropriately for next usage
Team Approach
Quality of life and activities must be a team approach. According to CMS, “The provision of activities should not be confined to a department, but rather
may involve all staff interacting with residents’. Establishing a great rapport with facility staff is crucial.
HAVE FUN AND DON’T FORGET TO SMILE! YOU MAY NOT ALWAYS REALIZE IT, BUT YOU ARE LITERALLY HELPING
INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE A HAPPIER, MORE FULLFILLING LIFE. THAT IS AN
INCREDIBLE SERVICE TO BE OFFERING. REMEMBER THAT!
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The following are sample forms and materials that are designed to assist the Activity or
Recreation service provider in the provision of quality of life activities.
List of Activities - This 5 page document lists over 200 different recreational activities by
category. It is a great tool to utilize to ensure a well-balanced calendar!
Lending Library List - A great tool to keep track of all the books and materials you lend out.
Day Room Activity Planning Form - This form helps the Activity Staff plan for daily activities.
Equipment Distribution List - This form is designed to monitor the equipment and supplies
that are given to various units or Activity Staff.
Equipment Sign-Out Sheet -This is a one-page form that helps monitor the use of activity
supplies and equipment.
Bingo Cards - Simple blank bingo cards to write or paste anything in for customizable cards
that are adaptable for various levels of cognitive functioning.
Theme Brainstorming - This one-sheet form is great for planning themed programs.
Community Groups Contact List - This one page form will help you maintain a list of
community groups so that you can easily contact them to schedule special events,
intergenerational programs and other community activities.
Re-Creative Resources Inc.
Re-Creative Resources, Inc. founded by Kimberly Grandal ACC/EDU, ACM, is committed to
enhancing the lives of the elderly in health-care facilities through the use of therapeutic recreation
and activities. We provide a variety of services such as recreation and activity in-service materials,
training tools, education, and resources, for activity professionals, managers, and recreational
therapists.
Permission to Use
Permission granted to print this article and materials for non-commercial purposes only, as long as
the source of information is retained. No portion of this article may be altered. Editable versions
of these forms are available in the Activity Resource Center, a paid subscriber section of the
website. Contact Kim Grandal at [email protected] questions regarding this manual or
services provided. To learn about and register for the Activity Resource Center, please visit
www.recreativeresources.com/resourcecenter.htm
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L I S T O F A C T I V I T I E S B Y C A T E G O R Y
DIRECTIONS: Red (items in parenthesis) indicates the specific categories the activities may be classified in for purpose of audits, assessments, etc. Remember these are just suggestions. Many activities can be classified into various categories. Choose the one that BEST fits the main objective of the activity. This list is also a great tool to utilize when developing an Activity Calendar.
ACTIVE GAMES/SPORTS (PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES)
Balloon Volleyball Beanbag Shuffleboard Target Toss
Table Ball Ring Toss Charades
Ball Toss Hot Potato Simon Sez
Parachute Game Center Shuffleboard
Basketball Horseshoes Golf
Beanbag Toss Toss Across Bowling
Dice Throw Bull’s Eye Dart Ball
Tic Tac Toe Toss Kickball Float-R-Ball
Ball Games Jack Pot Toss Tropical Bean Bag Toss
Beanbag Baseball Smile Bean Bag Toss Velthrow
Toss ‘um
ARTS & CRAFTS (ARTS AND CRAFTS)
Crafts Woodworking Flower Making
Collages Scrapbook Yarn Crafts
Painting Tissue Art Sewing
Sponge Painting Holiday/Seasonal Crafts
BEAUTY AND GROOMING (EMPOWERMENT OR SENSORY/AWARENESS)
Manicures and Music Glamour Group
Beauty Club Hand Washing
COMMUNITY OUTING (OUTDOOR/TRIPS)
Restaurants Bingo Bowling
Parks/Picnics Theaters Sightseeing
Movies Museums
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COOKING (COOKING/BAKING)
Cooking Club (actual cooking)
Chef’s Corner (food preparation)
Baking
DISCUSSION PROGRAMS (WORD GAMES/TRIVIA/DISCUSSION)
Current Events Memory Lane Holiday/Seasonal Discussions
World News Week in Review News and Views
Remember When Penny Ante Monthly Review
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS)
Music Appreciation Art Appreciation Travel Club
Food Facts and Trivia Topics of Interest Portrait in History (i.e. Christopher Columbus)
Leisure Education Health Facts (i.e. Diabetes) Historic Events
EXERCISE (PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES)
Reach and Stretch Exercise Video Rhythm Stick Exercise
Jazzercise Dancing Scarves Exercise
Disco Aerobics Sittercise Ribbon Exercise
Move and Groove Music and Movement Rhythm Band Exercise
Sweating to the Oldies Walking Club Pom Pom Exercise
Stretch and Flex Wheelchair Aerobics Baton Exercise
Tai Chi Shakercise
ETHNIC PROGRAMS (CULTURAL/ETHNIC)
Cultural Music Hour Cultural Programs (Salute to African American Month, Italian Week etc.)
Specialty Meals
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FILM/MOVIES/VIDEOS (MOVIES/VIDEOS)
Nature or Sensory Video Relaxation Video Travel Video
Movie Matinee Music Video Lawrence Welk
GENDER GROUPS (MEN’S/LADIES’ CLUB)
Ladies Club Men’s Club LGBTQ Club
HORTICULTURAL THERAPY/GARDENING (GARDENING)
Flower Arranging Horticultural Therapy Window Sill Gardening
Plant Care
INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES (INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES)
Any activity that a resident does independently such reading, watching t.v./movies, computers, socialization, craft projects, word puzzles, outdoors, etc.
INTERGENERATIONAL (INTERGENERATIONAL/COMMUNITY GROUPS)
Programs that include people of all ages especially children and the elderly
MUSIC/SINGALONG (MUSIC)
Singalong Music Appreciation Rhythm Band
Karaoke Music Trivia Music Talk
Easy Listening/Cultural Music Name That Tune
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY (OUTDOOR/TRIPS)
Walking Club Picnics Patio Hour
Fresh Air Club Nature Walks Bird Watching
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PARTY/SPECIAL EVENT (SPECIAL EVENTS/SOCIALS)
Seasonal Events Fashion Show Theme/Cultural Events
Elegant Dining Birthday Party Casino Day
Holiday Events Barbecues Hawaiian Luau
Entertainment Sport Events (Olympics etc) Contests between units
PET VISITS/PET APPRECIATION (PET/ANIMAL APPRECIATION)
Live Animals Videos Pictures
Discussions (Animal Talk) Resident Pets (caring for) Bird Watching
POETRY/CREATIVE ARTS (CREATIVE ARTS)
Poetry Appreciation Literary Club Art Appreciation
Creative Writing Story Telling Drama Club
RESIDENT COMMITTEES (COMMITTEES/SERVICE PROJECTS)
Resident Council Recreation Planning Meeting Menu Committee
Resident Service Groups
RESIDENT VOLUNTEER (COMMITTEES/SERVICE PROJECTS)
Resident Volunteer Program Independent Service Projects
SOCIALS (SPECIAL EVENTS/SOCIALS)
Ice Cream Social Meet and Greet
Pizza Party Tasting Socials
SPIRITUALITY/RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS (RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL)
Spiritual Awakenings Spiritual Videos/Music The Amen Corner
Chicken Soup for the Soul Moments from the Bible Bible Talk
Devotions Inspirational Readings Catholic Mass
Protestant Service Bible Study Jewish Service
Communion Meditation Life Review
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SENSORY STIMULATION (SENSORY/AWARENESS)
Snoezelen Feel and Describe Name That Sound
Aroma Therapy Sensory Awareness Sensory/Nature Videos
Hand Massages Five Alive Sensory Seasonal Sensory (Autumn etc.)
Picture Identification S.P.I.R.I.T. Program Color Sensory (i.e. Orange)
Sensory Stretch Discovering Your Senses Sensory and Music
Sensory and Movement Tactile Stimulation Taste and See
Making Scents Sense Abilities
TABLE GAMES (TABLE/RECREATIONAL GAMES)
Card Sharks Table Games (monopoly etc) Checkers
Black Jack Puzzles Memory Games
Horseracing Pokeno or Jokereno Bingo
Roulette Turtle Trot Table Top Shuffleboard
Christmas Jingo Table Top Bowling
TASK-RELATED/DIVERSIONAL ACTIVITIES (SENSORY/AWARENESS OR ONE TO ONE)
Recreation Stations (games, puzzles, misc.)
Discovery Zone (Folding laundry, sorting etc.)
WORD GAMES AND TRIVIA (COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES)
Trivia Challenge Music Trivia Price is Right
Mind Stretchers 20 Questions Hangman
Spelling Bee Anagram Who am I
Definition Bee Scattergories/A-Z Word Search
Pictionary Crossword Puzzle Name the State
YOUNG ADULT GROUP (YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS)
A special program for Residents age 65 and under
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LIBRARY LENDING LIST
Resident’s Name Date Magazine Book Title Date Returned
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DAY ROOM ACTIVITY CALENDAR PLANNING FORM
Month_______________ Floor____________
Name of activity___________________________ Date_______ Time________ Supplies Needed __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Name of activity___________________________ Date_______ Time________ Supplies Needed __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Name of activity___________________________ Date_______ Time________ Supplies Needed __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Name of activity___________________________ Date_______ Time________ Supplies Needed __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Additional Notes:
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RECREATION EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES SIGN-OUT SHEET
Item Date Taken Out
Initials Date Returned
Initials
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RECREATION EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION LIST
Item Date To Unit By
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BINGO
FREE
SPACE
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BINGO
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BINGO
FREE
SPACE
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THEME BRAINSTORMING
For theme-related activities think about the following:
Physical activity such as exercise and/or physical game
Cognitive activity such as discussion, word game and/or trivia
Educational activity such as discussion, educational videos, guest speaker
Sensory-incorporating all 6 senses
Creative activities such as music, writing, arts and crafts
Food-related activities such as cooking, socials, etc.
Brainstorm possible themes and related activities
Name of theme
________________________________________________________________________________
Physical activity
________________________________________________________________________________
Cognitive activity
________________________________________________________________________________
Educational activity
________________________________________________________________________________
Sensory activity
________________________________________________________________________________
Creative activity
________________________________________________________________________________
Food-related activity
________________________________________________________________________________
Supplies needed
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Notes
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
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COMMUNITY GROUPS CONTACT LIST
Group Name Contact Person Phone # Date Program Comments Confirmed