Are you really stuck for ideas?
Sometimes it's just a case of thinking around what you are already planning.
When you are planning a single activity I encourage you (Activity Coordinators and Care Staff) to consider possible 'extended activities' which may help to include more residents in that single activity/theme.
Or something which will help to engage those more active for longer.
Many of these 'extended activities can be enjoyed by those with advanced dementia.
Here's an example:
MAIN ACTIVITY: Flower arranging
EXTENDED ACTIVITIES:
Gathering the waste flowers and stalks
Collecting up the newspaper used to protect the tables
Ripping the newspaper into shreds and adding to the collection of waste flowers and stalks - this can be a particularly engaging occupation for people with advanced dementia.
Taking a bucket of all that you collected to the compost heap
Turning the compost heap if/when needed
Adding the organic matter created from previously made compost heaps to a bucket
Potting up some cuttings using your homemade compost
Sprinkling organic matter over a small area in the garden.
Taking photographs of flower arrangements
Hosting a flower arranging competition
Being a judge for the flower arranging competition
Being a competitor for the flower arranging competition
Awarding the prizes
Presenting a vase of flowers to your receptionist to showcase on his/her desk
I promise you this list could go on for days - and it all started with someone who enjoys flower arranging.
Can you think of more 'extended activities' for flower arranging? If so, please leave a comment and share your idea with others.