Group Events

Celebrate Int'l Guitar Month in April
-For a large group, have a guitarist play for your participants.

-For individuals or a small group, Play Guitar Hero  on your XBox or Wii

-For lower functioning groups, have a music/guitar education session for participants to learn about the guitar, touch one and strum.


Bowling
Bowling can be done two ways- 1) At the bowling alley, of course or 2) Set up your own for a small group or individual play.

Bowling at the bowling alley is a good occasional outing or regular activity for clients. Remember, the bowling alley should have a good set of bowling ramps for those in needing to bowl from sitting.  Almost anyone can bowl with the assistance of ramps, although you may need someone to retrieve the balls!

 If you set up your own bowling, you will need a GOOD set of foam or plastic bowling ball and pins.  Good for a short activity, don't forget that the bowler can help you set up the pins as a part of the activity, based on the participant's ability.

Have fun bowling!


Music Therapy
Hire a music therapist for a group session.  Music therapists have special training in which to use with your special needs group.  If you are unable to hire music therapist, plan a music themed activity.  Here are some suggestions:

-Name that Tune:  Using a collection of  various music selections, divide your group into 2 teams to compete for a prize.
-Sing-a-Long: Lead your group in some popular tunes with the help of a karaoke machine, hymnbook, or songbook and sing-a-long CDs.  Have a pianist or entertainer lead your group if you are unable to.
-Musical Chairs
-Cake Walk

American Idol
Depending on your clientele and the personality of your group, a modified version of American Idol can be a big hit.  Change the name to personalize Idol to your facility.  Using a karaoke machine, invite participants to sing for the panel of judges.  Schedule at least a few contestants in advance to get the ball rolling.  Make the panel of judges special: an administrator, a family member, and another staff, etc.  The panel should have a good sense of humor and make funny, positive comments about the "performances".  If possible, hand out ballots with contestants numbered so there can be an official winner, or leave it to the judges to decide.  Again, make it fun - the best doesn't have to the winner!

Cancer Awareness
April is Cancer Control Month. Cancer is one of the leading cause of death in the US, second only to heart disease.  Prepare now by inviting a local expert on cancer prevention and treatment to speak to your group.  Check your local cancer center or nearest medical university.

There are many mixed messages about cancer and what is versus what is not good for prevention.  Help your participants separate fact from fiction and be educated early detection, prevention, and treatment.

Celebrate American Diabetes Alert Month
Invite the Health Dept. or a local hospital to come and do complimentary blood sugar checks for your clients.  Or have a Diabetes Educator do a program on awareness and management of the disease.

St Patrick's Day Party Ideas
Have a Green Sherbert "Sundae" social.  Serve green sherbert with green sprinkles on top or green sherbert gingerale floats (or punch).  Play Irish music.

Have cookie decorating with green icing and sprinkles.  Or make green sugar cookies in the shape of shamrocks.

Have your participants make all the decorations in advance: 1)Shamrock place mats for the tables 2) Shamrocks for the walls complete with green glitter! 3) Make Kiss Me I'm Irish buttons for participants to wear. 4) Place gold coins on tables.  5) Make centerpieces.

Talent Show
Sign your clients up for talent show!  Invite the staff and family members to participate.  Don't be hesitant to "assign" talents if need be and assist individuals in practicing and perfecting their talent.  Encourage group participation.  Suggestions for talent include: dancing, present a song (karaoke works! or sing-a-long material), read poetry or read their own poem, and presenting skits.  I've had creative groups do skits, especially when they were encouraged to do so or were provided the material.  The most important part of a talent show is having a sense of humor and having FUN!

Partner with the Girl Scouts
The 3rd week in March is Girl Scouts week.  Partner with a local troop to do a project or program at your facility and have your clients assist.  Find your local council at http://www.girlscouts.org/councilfinder/.  If you are in Georgia, take a field trip to Savannah to visit where the Girl Scouts began.

Making Exercise Fun
-Use Props-
Hand weights
Bar
Ribbons
Balls or Mini medicine balls
Balloons
Parachute
Items can be purchased at www.ssww.com or  www.flaghouse.com 


-Music-
Make sure the music you use is fitted to your clients' taste.  Using modern aerobics music may not be as effective in creating a fun environment, so try what works for your group. http://www.fitnessav.ca/Seniors-Fitness-Music-s/92.htm or http://www.powermusic.com/ for music selections


-Seated Chair or Standing Dance- 
When teaching a dance from sitting, teach one step at a time before adding music or add a slower paced music and modify the leg work. Suggestions are the Macarena, Electric Slide, or the Hokey Pokey which you can sing together without music.  


-Modified Yoga Stretches-
There are several websites to give you a selection of  yoga chair stretches you can lead yourself
Chair Yoga, Printable Yoga Exercises

http://getfitwhereyousit.com/

http://www.yogaheart.com/


-Try a something you haven't before:-
Tai Chi or Qigong: These sessions don't have to cost you money for an instructor or a training session for yourself.  Check out a video from your local library!
Aquatic Arthritis or Fibromyalgia classes- If you don't have a pool, check with your local wellness center to see if they will tailor a class for your clients.

Relaxation Techniques: Guided Imagery
Learn to lead your group in a relaxation session with guided imagery. Or find some sessions you like on You Tube and play them for your group. Or hire a person to do a live session.  Live sessions are the most effective in my opinion.  A good session will last at least 10 to 15 minutes.  You will need a quiet and relaxing room with quiet, relaxing music.  This activity is good for a small group who does not have issues with concentrating.

Host a Support Group
Host a support group for the local chapter of a common diagnosis such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, arthritis, MR, CP, MS, or those with mental health diagnoses. Invite family members of those who are affected.  Encourage your clients to attend.  Or start your own support group and invite professionals to host various topics.

Women's Poker Game
The men usually get together to play poker and often exclude the women.  Have a special women's only poker event.  Make it special by serving drinks and food.  Use candy or another popular item as "chips".

Memory and Recognition Games
Variation of the Memory Game (for 1-2 people)- Using 4 to 9 pictures depending on ability level, arrange pictures in an order and allow the player to view the pictures for a period of time.  Take up the pictures have the player arrange the pictures the way originally displayed.  Difficulty: Very hard

Picture Bingo- Create your own Bingo cards using pictures (or download some versions off the Internet) or graphics and give clues to describe the picture for players.  Difficulty: Moderate

Jingo- A version of Picture Bingo.  You will need a Jingo game which comes in several different themes.  Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Pokerkeeno- A Bingo type game with the cards picturing playing cards instead of numbers and letters.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Trivia Games
Trivial Pursuit
- Don't use the board, just the questions.  Divide up into 2 teams with team captains and compete against one another.  If one team doesn't get the answer, the opposing team can "steal" the point.  Play up to time is up or 20 points.

Theme trivia 
Played as above
-Pick a holiday theme
-Pick a celebration i.e. Black History month or Breast Cancer Awareness Month, etc.
Or
-Topic i.e. television of the 50s, sports, geography.  There are lots of popular topics at www.funtrivia.com

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire



Cooking group- Do simple appetizers, meals or desserts.  Try themed groups such as Italian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, or Asian are a lot of fun.

Use your local university- Pick topics relevant to your group and is a university focus to find speakers or presenters on a number of fascinating topics.  Many topics can include- various aging topics, latest exercise research, health topics, etc.

Discussion groups-  You Decide the Verdict- a version of current events groups available with discussion guides at Eldersong.com

Fashion Show- With a local favorite store.  Or, try a fashion show through the ages and work with a local costume shop (they may donate the wearing of the items and have good sizes for everyone!).

Beauty Day
Arrange some volunteers to help pamper the women with a spa hand treatment:  paint nails and massage hands.  Or do it yourself and schedule appointment times.

Book Club
Gatther a group of participants willing to help lead a book club by leading discussion and choosing a book from month to month. This takes a dedicated group of people with an intellectual interest in exploring various books. Or involve the local library for discussion leaders.