Are you an older adult living in a long-term care facility where you receive assistance with daily activities, medical care, and other support services? Or perhaps you do know someone who does and is looking for the best Thanksgiving activities?
Well, we have compiled the best Thanksgiving activities designed for people who may have some chronic health conditions, physical limitations, cognitive impairments, or those who need consistent medical supervision.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate gratitude, togetherness, and community, especially in nursing homes where residents may benefit from engaging in activities. Here are the best Thanksgiving activities for nursing home residents and staff.
Thanksgiving Activities for Nursing Home Residents and Staff
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Thanksgiving Potluck
How about a potluck idea? This would mean hosting a potluck where residents and staff bring their favorite holiday dishes.
This is one of the best ways to encourage mingling and generally having a nice time. This also encourages sharing and creates a festive atmosphere.
Residents can enjoy sampling various foods and sharing stories about their family traditions. This potluck can be as casual or as formal as desired, with staff assisting residents in preparing their favorite dishes or family recipes.
To make it easier for everyone, the potluck could have a sign-up sheet where participants list what they’re bringing, ensuring a variety of foods and avoiding duplicates.
Staff might also work with the residents to create dishes that bring back warm memories or tie in cultural traditions, making the experience more meaningful.
After the meal, consider playing some light music or even organizing a few simple games to keep the energy up, turning the event into a celebration filled with warmth, laughter, and community.
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Gratitude Tree
This typically would entail creating a gratitude tree where residents can write down what they are thankful for on leaves or paper cutouts.
Hang the leaves on the tree as a visual representation of gratitude, sparking conversations and reflections.
The gratitude tree serves as a simple yet powerful activity that encourages residents to focus on positive aspects of their lives.
As residents add their notes to the tree, they contribute to a growing display that brings beauty and warmth to shared spaces within the nursing home.
This tree can become a centerpiece of connection, as staff, residents, and family members read the heartfelt notes, often sparking conversations and fostering a supportive community.
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Thanksgiving Craft Day
You should consider organizing a craft day where residents can create Thanksgiving-themed decorations, such as centerpieces, turkey crafts, or greeting cards.
This to a very large extent would encourage creativity and provide handmade decorations for the facility.
Providing different types of materials, such as colored paper, markers, paints, and decorative items like ribbons or glitter, adds variety and makes the experience even more exciting.
Staff and volunteers can assist as needed, creating an inclusive space where residents of all abilities can participate and contribute in their own way.
Once completed, the crafts can be displayed in common areas, adding a festive touch to the facility while showcasing the residents’ talents.
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Thanksgiving Storytelling
Seniors love to tell tales, and this is a very good way to encourage bonding and interactions among senior citizens.
It would also be a good way to encourage residents to share their favorite family stories and Thanksgiving memories.
For many seniors, storytelling can be therapeutic, providing them with an opportunity to express themselves and feel valued.
Setting a warm and inviting atmosphere, perhaps with soft background music or seasonal decorations, can enhance the experience and make it feel even more festive.
Thanksgiving storytelling is a simple yet profound way to foster a sense of community and bring residents closer together.
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Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
Who would not love to see some good movies? You may also consider hosting a Thanksgiving movie marathon for the seniors.
Host a movie marathon featuring classic Thanksgiving films or heartwarming family movies. You also might want to provide popcorn and snacks to create a cozy, festive atmosphere for residents to enjoy.
Setting up a comfortable viewing area with cozy blankets, soft lighting, and maybe even a few festive decorations can transform the common area into a mini movie theatre.
Consider including films that evoke a sense of nostalgia or reflect themes of family, friendship, and gratitude.
These often resonate well with residents. Classic films from the era when residents were younger can create wonderful moments of reminiscence, sparking stories and shared memories.
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Baking Sessions
Another idea to consider is organizing a baking class for the residents. This activity can evoke nostalgic feelings and provide a delicious outcome to enjoy together.
For some residents, the act of baking may remind them of cooking for family gatherings, providing a sense of purpose and joy as they create something with their own hands.
Even residents who may not be able to physically participate can enjoy the sights, sounds, and comforting smells filling the room, contributing to the overall experience.
Once the treats are finished, you can host a small tasting event where everyone can sample their creations, creating a warm, festive atmosphere.
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Thanksgiving Trivia Game
Residents also love to play games as it helps them to relax their minds. With this in view, you could tinker with the idea of planning a Thanksgiving trivia game with fun facts about the holiday, its history, and traditional foods.
This is a great way to engage residents in a fun and educational activity. The trivia game can be structured with questions ranging from simple to challenging, allowing all residents to participate at their comfort level.
Questions could include topics like the origins of Thanksgiving, traditional dishes served at the first feast, or even quirky historical facts about famous parades or iconic American traditions tied to the holiday.
To make it even more engaging, you could set up small teams to encourage a bit of friendly competition.
Offering small prizes for winners, such as themed treats or handmade Thanksgiving decorations, can make the game more exciting and give everyone a little something to look forward to.
The trivia game not only provides mental stimulation but also fosters camaraderie and shared laughter among the residents.
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Volunteer or Charity Drive
It will help to make seniors engage not only with residents but also with staff. Some of the things to consider include a community service project, such as collecting canned goods or clothing for local shelters.
This activity can be a rewarding experience as residents often feel a strong desire to give back but may lack the mobility or opportunity to do so.
Organizing a drive can offer them a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing they are making a difference.
Staff can assist by setting up donation bins around the facility and helping residents sort and prepare items for donation.
Including residents in each step, from brainstorming the charity of choice to labeling items, makes them feel part of the entire process.
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Thanksgiving Sing-Along
You may also want to explore a sing-along or even a karaoke night that features Thanksgiving songs or popular tunes from residents’ younger years. This is because music is a powerful way to uplift spirits and encourage participation.
Classic Thanksgiving songs such as “Over the River and Through the Wood,” or familiar oldies that evoke nostalgia, like “You Are My Sunshine” or hits from the 1940s and 1950s.
Providing lyric sheets can help residents feel more comfortable participating, ensuring everyone can join in.
Additionally, you might invite local musicians or staff members to perform alongside residents, enhancing the experience with live music.
For those who may be less inclined to sing, offering simple instruments like tambourines or maracas can allow them to participate rhythmically, ensuring everyone can feel included.
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Thankful Thoughts Sharing Circle
Create a circle where residents can share what they are thankful for, fostering connection and positive emotions. Encourage everyone to take a turn, allowing for reflection and mutual appreciation.
This sharing circle can be facilitated by staff or volunteers, who can guide the discussion and ensure that everyone feels comfortable participating.
To make it more engaging, consider incorporating prompts, such as themes of friendship, family, or personal achievements. This can help stimulate conversation and encourage quieter residents to join in.
In addition to verbal sharing, residents could be invited to write down their thankful thoughts on decorative cards, which can then be displayed in a common area. This visual representation of gratitude can serve as a daily reminder of positivity and appreciation.