National Nursing Home Week – This Year’s Theme – “Enriching Every Day”

Thank you American Health Care Association for these wonderful ideas about making this week special at your local nursing home and making sure we don’t stop there but work to enrich every day. http://www.ahcancal.org/events/national_nursing_home_week/Pages/Activities.aspx#specialservices

Enrichment through Words…

Grab a Pen and Make a Friend! Do you like to write and receive notes? Then Grab a Pen and Make a Friend! Having a pen pal club is a great way to learn about others and start an enriching relationship through the sharing of stories and interests. All you need for this activity is a pen, paper and “pal.” Of course, pen pal writing could also occur on the internet with e-mail. The activity could be small, with residents writing to other residents or staff. Take it a step further by partnering with another facility, local high school, volunteer group etc. At the end of the week, encourage residents and other participants to reflect on what they learned (or hope to learn) about others. Consider Grab a Pen and Make a Friend a part of every week throughout the year and watch relationships blossom and grow! Don’t forget to order the official 2010 National Nursing Home Week® pens!

Poetry Reading A literary art, poetry can bring deep reflection and comfort, inspire a conversation and enlighten the mind. With a focus on enriching, the act of poetry reading can illuminate the atmosphere of a nursing home through spoken words. Consider hosting a poetry reading at your facility. Have an “open mic” where anyone is welcome to read a poem they select or share their own poem! Family members, friends and others from the community can also listen and share their poetry too. Make it a memorable event with tea and cookies and invite everyone to attend and participate. Afterwards, have a question and answer session or an open discussion.

Don’t forget to advertise this event in the community section of you local newspaper. See the PR Tips for more information.

“Thank You” Note Scavenger Hunt Thank you notes not only show gratitude, but also add a personal touch that can be cherished and remembered for years. This week, encourage residents to write a note of thanks to their favorite staff person or fellow resident. Have them reflect on a characteristic that makes that person unique and put it into words. During the week, ask residents to post or tape the notes all over the facility and have staff members find them and read them out loud to share with everyone during a Staff Appreciation Lunch. Staff can even write a thank you note back!

Share Stories with the Veterans History Project Do you have a veteran in your facility? Consider honoring him or her during NNHW by sharing their story with the rest of the world. The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American veterans. Stories can be told through personal narratives, letters, photos and other ways. Stories and materials submitted to The Veterans History Project will be archived and housed within the Library of Congress online database and available to Congress and researchers who visit the Library of Congress. Visit the Library of Congress for more information, registration and tips for hosting a community event in honor of your veteran. To share your veteran’s story online, consider uploading a video on YouTube and sharing it on Facebook!

Enrichment through Music…

American Senior Idol Do you think your residents have what it takes to be the next American Senior Idol? You don’t have to turn on the television to watch stars be born, just look to the talent at your facility! This week, invite residents (and staff too) to sing songs that enrich the heart and the mind. A little healthy competition is always a good way to generate interest and participation in an activity. Everyone can earn a reward for participating (see pages 11-14 for NNHW themed products). Make your American Senior Idol a fun competition by getting other residents and staff involved as judges and inviting the community at large to attend. You can ramp up the excitement by inviting your local high school glee club or show choir to “open” the competition with a performance. Many high schools have a community service requirement in their student curriculum. Check with your local school system for details.

“Senior Prom” A good way to keep up the momentum during NNHW is to have a “Senior Prom.” Bring back those treasured high school memories or create new ones. Try partnering with local high schools to participate in their Prom or host one right in the facility. Allowing young and old to mix and mingle gives new meaning to the phrase “Senior Prom.” This event can create long lasting memories that will be talked about well after graduation!

Don’t forget to advertise this event in the community section of you local newspaper. See the PR Tips page for more information.

Enrichment through Images…

Take Pictures As the activities and fun continue throughout the week encourage residents and staff to make these memories last by taking pictures. Equip them with disposable cameras and encourage all to take a snapshot of their favorite moments. Once you develop the pictures put your creative thinking cap on. There are several ways to use the photos.

You can:

* Post photos in resident rooms and throughout the facility;
* Put together and display a facility-wide collage of all the pictures for all to see;
* Make a slide show and display it in the cafeteria or activity room for as long as you like;
* Encourage residents to share their favorite photo during a group activity; or
* Have a contest to turn the best pictures into a 12 month calendar.

Don’t forget to post your pictures on the NNHW Facebook Fan Page!

Enrichment through Crafts…

Quilt A timeless activity for residents and staff is quilting. This popular pastime allows all participants to chat and learn more about each other while unleashing their creative ability through fabric. Most likely, you already have a quilting superstar in your facility who can help everyone get started. If not, check your local newspaper to contact your nearest quilting club for assistance or get started on your own by visiting How to Make a Quilt. The quilt can be donated to a local library, a homeless shelter, or it could be kept in the facility as a token from the week. A lap quilt is another great idea! Don’t have time to make enough for everyone? Have everyone help to make a smaller number of lap quilts and raffle them off to residents during the “Senior Prom.”

Birthday Boxes Everybody has a birthday, and NNHW is a great time to remember them. Birthday Boxes are a simple idea that can bring tons of cheer throughout the year. During NNHW week, ask residents to decorate their own Birthday Box. These can be tissue boxes, shoe boxes, or any small box with a lid. After the decorating is done, have residents and staff write down special notes about everyone else and put them in the respective Birthday Box. As an alternative, write birthday notes during the birthday week. After all notes are collected in the Birthday Box, read them aloud. Residents can then put their notes in a scrapbook or on their own wall for all to see!

Enrichment through Special Services…

Staff Appreciation Day Make one day all about the staff. Honor staff that strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Plan a special lunch in honor of them, invite families and have volunteers from the community serve them. During the lunch have residents tell why their closest caregiver is so important to them. Encourage resident families that have a special bond with staff members to show their appreciation with flowers or gifts. You can even reach out to your local media contact and encourage them to profile an outstanding staff member in a local publication or news cast.

Prayer Service A prayer service can enrich the spirit as well as the heart. During this special week, invite all to attend a special service celebrating the members of the nursing home “family” and to remember those that have passed on. Consult with your facility’s spiritual advisor to arrange the details of the service. This serves as a perfect prelude to a Mothers and Fathers Brunch.

Mothers and Fathers Brunch This Mother’s Day, kick off NNHW by hosting a Mothers and Fathers Brunch. Show all mothers and fathers just how special they are by preparing and serving a delicious meal in their honor. Plan a three course brunch menu, complete with hearty breakfast foods, tasty cheeses and meats.

Complete the brunch with a savory dessert. Involve local boy or girl scouts by having them perform a special salute and then serving all mothers and fathers. It’s a great way to nourish the body while enriching the heart!

Memory Garden Springtime is a perfect time to commemorate the passing of loved ones or friends with a memory garden. Planting a memory garden is a beautiful exercise that can heal the heart. Engage residents and staff in this unique activity by involving them from the get-go. Choose a sunny spot where several people can gather. Personalize the flowers or plants that you select by reflecting on those individuals to be remembered. You may select their favorite flowers or favorite scents. You could also select a plant that symbolizes them in a unique way. For example, a chrysanthemum expresses wonderful friendship while magnolias represent dignity. Forget-me-nots are beautiful flowers that can be planted throughout the garden. You can also include small statues, objects or plaques that carry special meaning.