Engaging Activity Ideas for Patient Care

BUILDING YOUR ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT

Independent Activity Ideas Print adult coloring pages Word searches Cognition Independent Activity Crosswords Cognition Independent Activity We have a puzzle table with different puzzles available Yarn for crocheting/knitting I have cardstock for patients to make cards for their family/friends if they are in here over the holidays, or if they just want to send one for any reason. News papers Magazines Watercolor Painting Print out sheet or give blank pieces of paper Books Large print are nice too E-books (I use my kindle membership on our activities iPad to increase options in variety) Bibles Sports brackets (March Madness) Therapy Putty TV Pet Therapy (Providers give the okay for patient s pet to visit) Arrange Chaplain visits for patients who are interested Music

Activities You Can Do With Patients Card games Board games Wheelchair rides Outside visits when weather permits Taking patients on walks Our hospital has a chapel and a solarium. I like to utilize both of these for the patients. Out of the room visits Allows for time of prayer and religious activities I like to offer/take the patients down to eat in the solarium just to change up the scenery. (This is good when patient s start getting depressed in their own clothes.) I also utilize the bulletin board in the patient hallway on med-surg. It is something for them to look at when the do therapy. Seasonal themes Cocoa and Christmas movies in patient room On Nat l ice-cream day have patients make their own sundaes 12 days of Christmas with different Christmas related activities Patients help assist with decorating this. I had snowflakes for December. The patients told me their favorite Christmas traditions and meal. It allows a way to reminisce with your patients. On Halloween I took my patient over by some windows to watch the parade Spa Days Paint nails The elderly ladies love having their hair done Shave/Beard Trims Massage with lotion (Also helps with patients having pain)

Activities You Can Do With Patients continued One to One Visits Reminiscing is a good way to help with patients who have problems with cognition My patients always seem to enjoy these activities the most. It also allows me to communicate to the staff caring for the patient any needs/concerns. Use open-ended question Current events Crafts In April I had my swing bed patients dye Easter eggs We have made cupcake liner flower bouquets in spring We have made bird feed treats to hang on the bird feeders out side the patients room windows. We used toilet paper rolls, bird see, honey, and peanut butter Made a fall garland with cut out paper leaves. The patient painted them and I assisted stringing them on a piece of yarn. Hung this up in patient s room. Around Christmas I like to have patients make ornaments Watering Plants/Flowers Bingo. I just printed off some seasonal bingo cards from the internet and laminated them. Can also take 2-3 patients to an area for them to play. Prizes can be candy bars, a diet soda, just something simple that the patients would enjoy. Whiteboard Pictionary Reading to patients that enjoy reading but have a hard time seeing Involve patients in their swing bed meetings

Activity Ideas for Patients in Isolation iPad/Tablet with a screen protector and in a case that can be cleaned after use. Stylus is a user friendly option for patients Music Reading FaceTime with family/friends Way to read the news if patients do not like TV. I also have the option of a Bluetooth speaker for those who want to listen to music. Playlists can be set up by activities person based on patient preference. Monthly newsletter Can Include Fun facts about each month Information on the swing bed program and the satisfactory survey Word Searches Monthly Trivia Prayer for the Sick A monthly calendar with traditional holidays and some fun ones There will be a copy on my November newsletter sent to you guys via e-mail Laminated/Copied worksheet activities (Use dry erase markers if laminated) Crosswords Word searches Sudoku Coloring Pages (Markers can be wiped down)

Other activities Dementia/Alzheimer s Music Busy boards/animals We have stuffed dolls/activity books with different fidgets/gadgets for them to use. I-Spy bottles (plastic bottle with water with different objects in it) Blocks with holes and a shoe lace to string them on Read to them Walks Wheelchair rides Fold towels and washcloths Color Have family/friends bring in photos/memories to create a scrapbook Balloon toss Paint Roll yarn into a ball Games One to one visits and reminiscing Comfort Care Patients Music Aromatherapy I have a diffuser that I put essential oils into. (Lavender is my go to.) Assist with bed baths Lotion Massages I will use the essential oil and add a small amount to lotion, or I have used the night time baby lotion. Talking about their life accomplishments and accomplished goals. Include family Arrange or help assist arranging with chaplain visits.

Resources Activity Directors Network website Activity Connection website Activity Ideas for Activity Coordinators Facebook group Activity Directors Share Monthly Calendars and Bulletin Boards Facebook group Pinterest for different ideas (mostly crafts)