There are many games that can be purchased for play with long term care residents. Occasionally it’s fun to include a game that is especially made for a holiday or a game made to fit the needs of a specific population that doesn’t benefit from a published game format.
Games need to be understood to be enjoyable so it’s also possible to use the format of a published game but change the content to make it more easily understood or more relevant to the population being served.
It’s also important to choose your players with skill level in mind. It’s not fun if a particularly quick thinking individual answers all the questions. Nor is it fun for an advanced player to wait consistently for a player who requires more time. Be considerate in choosing participants.
Most residents of the nursing home can participate in physical activity to some extent. Even those with one functioning hand or arm or who are visually challenged can still participate in some form of physical activity. The physical aspect remains an important part of the whole person therapy program. It may require greater imagination to create a physical activity that residents can perform and will enjoy but the effort will reap rewards for everyone.
Look at traditional physical activities and consider what modifications would be necessary to make it possible for your residents; bowling on a long table top with bumpers made of rice bags or table-top tether ball using a microphone stand, some cord, a sponge ball, and rackets made of nylons and wire hangers.
