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 With the holidays approaching,
many departments are thinking of holiday bazaars, making gifts
and decorations. The holiday season is filled with anticipation
and preparation. The arts and crafts program can contribute
to the holiday festivities. The activity professional is challenged
to introduce projects which the resident can complete independently
and with personal satisfaction. This requires planning and adaptation.
The following craft "tips" may contribute to the success
of your program....
Keep designs simple, natural
and genuine. Avoid complex and exaggerated designs.
Consider the usefulness
and practicality of the finished project.
Use light and bright color
which contrast with each other. Visual impairments in the elderly
contribute to difficulty in distinguishing dark colors and similar
shades.
Use firm but soft textures,
since the skin of older people is tender and may react poorly
to harsh and coarse surfaces.
Break patterns into simpler
parts, with less complex details.
Be willing to accept the
blame for poor results. Be matter of fact about mistakes and
maintain a sense of humor.
Use the ideas of the residents
and give proper credit to the individual with the idea.
Provide a hard surface for
working, preferably with a light or contrasting background.
Avoid small scale activities
that may cause frustration.
Use techniques that are
familiar or compare new ideas to ones that may be familiar or
practiced in the past.
Always offer choices, in
projects, materials and technique.
Always have a completed
project/sample for reference, prior to starting the project.
Arts
and Crafts
Main Tip
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