There are a number of activities that can be considered “helping hands” activities. With small modifications, a number of long term care residents would have the ability to assist staff with chores.
~~~~~~~~~~~~Folding Towels and Washcloths~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a common activity in any nursing home. Residents can help with this task and by utilizing clean folding areas and hand sanitizers provide a relief to laundry staff who otherwise must fold these items every morning. Five or six able residents can easily fold 300 pieces of linen every morning and find the activity fulfilling and personally rewarding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~Passing Mail~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is another daily activity where a resident can help. Mail is a personal and protected entity so a staff member must accompany the resident but working as a team, mail can be done quite efficiently.
An individual confined to a wheelchair but able to read can carry the mail on a lap table, call the name of the resident receiving mail and even hand it to the staff member for delivery. A resident who walks but does not read may be handed mail by the staff member and they then deliver it to the recipient.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Washing Tables~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a job that all long term care women have done most of their lives. Residents who are wandering and basically uninvolved can be handed a damp cloth and asked to please help wipe the tables. The tables don’t actually need wiping although it is good when they actually do, after a social hour or birthday party for example. Being able to help with anything often provides at least a small feeling of self worth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~Sorting Cards~~~~~~~~~~~~
This can be a worthwhile activity for a range of residents. They must have use of their hands with range of motion for reaching and an understanding of the categories of cards.
Many nursing homes and long term care facilities receive donated greeting cards. If you don’t already have a large plastic storage box for cards, buy one. Make cardboard category dividers to fit the box, then give a bag or box of donated cards to the resident and ask them to sort the cards into the storage box according to category.