Leader Facilitation Guidelines for Group Activities PLUS ... · Utilize appropriate facilitation...

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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!


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

http://www.recreativeresources.com/resourcecenter.htm


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


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


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


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


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


LIBRARY LENDING LIST

Resident’s Name Date Magazine Book Title Date Returned


DAY ROOM ACTIVITY CALENDAR PLANNING FORM

Month_______________ Floor____________

Name of activity___________________________ Date_______ Time________ Supplies Needed __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________




Additional Notes:


RECREATION EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES SIGN-OUT SHEET

Item Date Taken Out

Initials Date Returned

Initials


RECREATION EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION LIST

Item Date To Unit By


BINGO

FREE

SPACE


BINGO


BINGO

FREE

SPACE


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

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________


COMMUNITY GROUPS CONTACT LIST

Group Name Contact Person Phone # Date Program Comments Confirmed

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