How to Get Help From Your Residents
During the Holidays

Isn’t it nice to have help – even during the holiday chaos?

Well, even if you don’t have any activity assistants, you can still get some help – from your residents. Here are a few ways that your residents can help you this holiday season:

In-House Activities. Get your residents to lead a few activities by inviting them to share their gifts and talents with your facility. For instance, schedule a fun Holiday Talent Show or plan holiday demonstrations, like a Holiday Cookie Decorating Class, all led by your talented residents.

Room Visits. Recruit residents to form a Holiday Choir that can perform door-to-door for your bedridden residents.

Intergenerational Activities. Encourage residents to make toys using the activity supplies that you have on hand. Then, coordinate a day for the grandkids to stop by for a Toy Tester activity in which they test-out the toys with your residents.

Decoration. Entice residents to help decorate by hosting a “Best Holiday Decor” competition for the different floors or wings of your facility. In fact, consider purchasing an inexpensive trophy that will be displayed on the winning floor.

Family Visits. Send out flyers to family members inviting them to a fun Open House in your facility in which they get to cast their votes for the “Best Holiday Decor” that was created by the residents.

Community Outreach. Start a Greeting Card Club in your facility in which members make and address holiday cards to send out to your residents that are in the hospital during the holiday season.

Fundraisers. Persuade your Crafts Club to make a variety of crafts for a Holiday Crafts Fair, or encourage members of your Baking Club to bake tasty treats for a Holiday Bake Sale. See our article How to Bring in Money With Fundraisers.