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~The
smell of mulled apple cider
~Corn
stalks decorating entrance ways
~Trips
to local produce markets to pick out pumpkins.
The
beginning of a new season promotes familiar tasks in every day
life.
We share these familiar activities with family, friends, and neighbors;
and our
life is measured by the passing of seasons and holidays shared.
 Introducing and maintaining opportunities to practice familiar
life rituals in health
care settings is an essential contributor toward positive quality
of life experiences.
Utilizing theme programming in the day to day activity programming
is an effective method to
prevent boredom and make for an interesting calendar. However,
theme programming has
far more value than ensuring variety. The simple joys of smelling
the first hyacinths in Spring,
or tasting the sweet fruit of summer are priceless. The smells,
sounds, textures and tastes of the
seasons offer many opportunities for reminiscence, life review,
exercising past skills and practicing
familiar and loved life rituals. Holding a pumpkin or planning
a Thanksgiving dinner is far more
effective in promoting reality awareness than rote repetition
of day/month/year.
The activity professional has many resources for thematic programming
available.
Publications such as Creative Forecasting, A New Day and Anderson
Planner base their
suggestions on chosen themes for each month. The Internet abounds
with supportive information
on holidays, recipes, craft ideas and historical references regarding
any and all special days.
Starting a resource file, with clippings from the newspaper and
articles from magazines, on holiday
origins and information is also a helpful organizational skill
for the activity professional.
Integrating the specific themes throughout several days of activities,
which may lead up to
a special party or theme celebration, is fun and effective. Word
games, crafts, reminiscent groups,
cooking programs and sensory activities can all have a theme focus.
As each day progresses,
recalled memories and enjoyment increases. The anticipation of
the culmination celebration
can be fostered within the daily theme activities. Preparatory
activities, such as creating decorations,
favors or food for the celebration; or distributing invitations
and involving the residents in planning
contributes to the experience.
Theme programming ~ it's not just holiday decorations and fancy
cupcakes ~ it's creating
opportunities for our residents to continue living and enjoying
life through their senses, seasons and
rituals.
Check out these sites to assist you with theme programming.
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