Sometimes it’s the little things. At the end of each bingo game, we ask the players to read aloud their winning numbers, so we can check them against the ones marked on the board. Sometimes, the residents get a bit carried away, they can get intensely competitive.
To keep the games from getting monotonous I bought a duck bath whistle for kids. I surprised everybody by starting a new custom: I fill the duck with water and blow the whistle once their victories are assured.
They were shocked and delighted, this has already become a beloved tradition. With some water inside, the bird can make some life-life bird noises. It cracks everybody up.
I’m bringing the duck whistle every Friday.
Love this
So true about it being the little things.
I visit a lady every week at a local long-term care residence and just seeing me lights up her face. It is so nice to be wanted and to realize a small thing such as my arrival brightens her day and week. It is hard for her to communicate so we sometimes just sit happily together in silence after I’ve finished doing her laundry or we’ll chat a little and watch TV. She is confined to a wheelchair and there is not nearly as much “going on” at this facility as there is at The Mansion, especially now that you and Maria have arrived on the scene, so I’ve introduced some of your ideas for activities to the girl in charge of recreation activities hoping it will cheer the residents (and staff!) up a bit. Wish me luck!
Fran good luck, please let me know how it goes..My only advice is to learn to listen to people who sometimes can’t talk..tricky, you sound great, I’m sure you will do very well.I look forward to hearing about it..
Thanks Jon.