This past weekend we were able to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Like all types of holidays, there was a buzz of fun activities around the nursing home all week.
Never need much of an excuse to have fun
Something as simple as St Patrick’s day allows for many opportunities to pull out some fun game ideas. This can not only be done with activities but also during therapy.
This past week the activity department did a scavenger hunt in the hallways looking for leprechauns. They had alot of fun going through the halls and writing down where they found the leprechauns hiding.
What a great way to include some therapy time in this adventure. It is a great way to work in some gait training. This can help to facilitate improved distance. It can also be a great way to work on floor surface changes while using a walker. My facility has a mix of laminate flooring, low pile carpet and tile floors. It is a great way to prepare people to return to a home environment again.
It can also be a great way to work on wheelchair mobility. It can be great motivation for someone to propell the wheelchair in the hallway to find the hidden leprechauns. This is a great way to improve the mobility and personal freedom of a resident either while there for short term rehabilitation or even long-term residents that have had more difficult times getting around.
All it takes is a little creativity
Looking at continued ideas for therapy, it is easy to add in some group therapy activities taking advantage of the holiday.
Occupaional Therapy groups
What a great way to add in some fun for therapy then adding in some functional activity based on the holiday. Who does not like St Patrick’s day themed cookies? What about decorations for the doors? What about decorating wheelchairs or Walkers?
Cognition groups with Speech therapy
What a great way to get the brain working then with some St Patrick’s day themed crosswords, or word puzzles, or picture matching games. It is amazing seeing the interaction that happens in group sessions that you don’t see in individual therapy sessions. It can be even more prevalent when a holiday theme is added in.
Wear your green
So keep the fun happening and finish out the month wearing green. The only limitation is your imagination. Go out, have fun, and make a difference. That’s why we became therapists.
